Railroad: Lewiston and Southeastern Railroad Company

This was a private forest railroad which projected south and east from East Twin Lake in Albert Township (Lewiston). Around 1896, this logging railroad was refused permission to cross the nearby Au Sable & Northwestern railroad. As a result, the L&SE became a common carrier railroad and petitioned the Michigan Railroad Commission for permission which was granted. The railroad continued as a common carrier until it was pulled up in 1910.

Built → Lewiston and Southeastern Raiload → Abandoned

Built: 1891

Became: Common carrier in 1896.

In Operation for 9 Years (4 as common carrier)

Became: Abandoned in 1910.

Reference: [MRRC] [LLE]

Notes

This was a narrow gauge (3') forest road, owned by the Michaelson & Hanson lumber company of Lewiston. 

After the AS&NW abandoned its line to Lewiston between 1899 and 1901, the L&SE used some of their grades in the area. According to [LLE], the L&SE favored loop tracks over wye tracks because loops used fewer switches which were problematic in the harsh winters. It is also speculated that L&SE's link-and-pin couplers didn't back up very well which was required in a wye. [LLE]

Time Line

1899. The railroad reported that it had one engineman, one fireman, one other trainman and a switchman. The railroad used two small locomotives. They had 16 miles of track and carried 19 million board feet of logs and 2,655 poles in 1899. [LLE]

1902. This road is used exclusively for transporting forest products. They have 16 miles of track, three foot gauge. [MCR-1902] The railroad notes in its annual report to the Railroad Commissioner that the road has 16 miles, but "nine miles of which is out on the plains and not in use." Actual miles operated is seven. This is 36"gauge with two working locomotives.

1902. Road is laid with 30-35 lb. per yard rail, described as in fair condition. [MCR-1903]

1903. SNAPSHOT. This road employed 1 engineer, 1 fireman, and 1 other trainmen. It also employed 1 section foreman and 2 other trackman. It employed on flagman/watchman. Total length, from Lewiston to "Forest Terminus" was 15 miles. Gauge three feet. It owned 2 locomotives, 1 box car, 4 platform cars and 34 logging cars.