Location: Groveland Junction, MI

Groveland Junction was located just south of Randville on the Milwaukee Road line to Channing. A branch here left the line for the Groveland Mine.

Image info: Top, MILW 5003 and 68C are photographed at Groveland Junction in 1979. [Jack Tyson, Charles Geletzke Jr. collection].

Notes

Time Line

1908. February. A wreck near here delayed the Milwaukee road train Thursday. A freight train struck an open switch a mile below Randville station and the train of cars were piled up in a heap. There was talk of sending the main line passenger around via the Northwestern but that was changed afterwards by the speedy work in clearing the track. [DD-1908-0222]

1969. The MILW installs a spring switch and protecting signal on the main line at the branch going towards Groveland Mine. For westbound (northbound) trains, this switch was on a curve and there was no way to tell how this switch was closed all the way until the train is close to the switch. This two-aspect (Green over Lunar) signal indicated how the switch was lined. 

An ore train leaving the mine and heading towards Iron Mountain on the main line needed to be going at least 25 mph by the time they crossed Merriman to make the hill (south of Merriman) with five F7's and 130 loaded ore Jenny's. This signal allowed them to leave the spring switch without stopping to inspect or reline it. There was also a block telephone at this location. The speed of trains over the facing points here was limited to 25 mph. The E&LS eliminated this signal after they began operating the line. The spring switch continues to exist as of 2024. [GB]