Interlocking: Alba Tower, MI

The interlocking tower in Alba was established around 1901, when the Detroit & Charlevoix Railroad entered town and crossed the north-south Grand Rapids & Indiana. This tower was likely removed after 1932, when the D&C was approved for abandonment by the Interstate Commerce Commission on August 26th.

According to reports, the foundation for the tower and depot still existed as of 2002, as well as the support blocks for the interlocking rods.

Photo info: All three photos show the interlocking tower and depot. [Alan Loftis collection]

Notes

Time Line

1902. A new interlocker ha been installed at Alba by the D&C. [MCR-1903]

1929. The MC and PRR petition the MPUC for permission to discontinue the interlocking plant and install a gate that would normally be set against the MC. The MPUC agreed, noting that the MC only ran to East Jordan twice a week with a mixed train that ran at slow speeds. The East Jordan branch only lasted three more years, being torn up in 1932. [GB]