Railroad: Lansing Transit Railway Company

Built → Lansing Transit Railway → LSMS & NYC → New York Central

Built: 1886.

Became: 50% to Michigan Central, 50% to Lake Shore & Michigan Southern in 1888.

Reference: [MRRC]

Notes

This was originally a Michigan Central (JL&S) spur which left their main line north of the Lansing depot and curved across the LS&MS Lansing Branch, across the river, and ultimately to the E. Bement Manufacturing company which made agricultural instruments and stoves in 1898 on the west side of the river. The Bement plant became a Reo Truck plant by 1913. Other industries on the west side of the river also received rail service on this line. According to Sanborn maps, a wye connection allowing the LS&S to access the spur was put in between 1898 and 1906. At a later date, a Lansing Board of Water and Light plant was built here and received coal from rail cars.

Time Line

1889. October 14. A special from Lansing, Mich., says: While a wrecking crew was engaged in clearing away a freight wreck on the Lansing Transit Railroad Sunday, the hoisting beam of the steam derrick broke and fell upon a group of over a dozen, killing Perter Quinn, conductor of the construction train, George Ruby a machinist, and John Tentill Vest, brakeman. [Evening Republican, Meadville PA]

1889. October 13. A sickening accident, resulting in the almost instant death of three men, occurred today while a MC wrecking crew was engaged in clearing up a freight train wreck on the Lansing Transit railway. A conductor and brakeman from West Bay City were killed, along with a machinist from Jackson. The men were engaged in lifting a wrecked switch engine upon the track when the iron hoisting beam of the steam derrick broke off and fell upon a group of over a dozen workmen. All but the three jumped aside in time to escape serious injury. The skulls of two were shattered and one had a crushing chest injury. The accident occurred in the presence of a large crowd that was witnessing the crews work. The conductor of the construction train was regarded by the company as almost invaluable at wrecks, owing to his coolness and experience. The bodies were taken home in special trains tonight. [SAG-1889-1014]