Railroad: Michigan Traction Company

This was an electric interurban line between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek.

Built → Michigan Traction Company → Michigan United Railways

Built: 1900- Kalamazoo to Battle Creek. Branch to Gull Lake.

Operated for 6 years.

Merged: 1906 - into Michigan United Railways.

Reference: [MRRC]

Image info: Top, Michigan Traction Company Car No. 2 poses at Kalamazoo in 1904. [SRJ]

Notes

Time Line

1900. Began operations after building line from Kalamazoo to Battle Creek.

1902. SNAPSHOT. This is an electric road owning railways in the cities of Battle Creek and Kalamazoo and the interurban electric railway between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo and Gull Lake. The road is constructed with 5 lb. steel rail, with oak and cedar ties. The track needs resurfacing and ballasting. The half interlocker at Augusta at the crossing of the DT&M railroad is in good condition and proving very satisfactory.

Twelve passenger cars are used for the interurban service and they are equipped with electric headlight, signal lights and flags, signal whistles and Christiansen air brake equipment. The cars have a smoking room, closet and water tank and are in fair condition.

The overhead (wire) construction if first-class. The track is laid on the highway between Battle Creek and Kalamazoo. Train orders are given by telephone and issued by the train dispatcher for train movements not provided for by time table. Telephone booths are located  at different sidings along the line. The conductor retains a third copy of all train orders and turns a copy in to the train dispatcher at the end of the run. All cars receive thorough inspections at Kalamazoo.

The Gull Lake Branch extends from Augusta to Gull Lake, a distance of 4 1/2 miles. This branch is used largely for summer resort business. [MCR-1903]

1906. Merged line into the Michigan United Railways.