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Timetable: C&NW - Felch Mountain Branch - Narenta to Metropolitan
The Felch Mountain branch was built in 1882 for the dual purpose of bringing ore from the Foster City and Metropolitan areas back to the port at Escanaba. It was also used to bring forest products to Escanaba and points south.
One interesting place on this line was the interlocking tower at Tesch, 2.8 miles west of Narenta. This was the crossing of this branch, along with the Soo Line and the CNW Ore Line, making it a three way crossing. The interlocking had a two-story tower, which was probably one of the loneliest places for an operator to be assigned.
The Felch Mountain line was abandoned and pulled up in 1970. Maximin grade was 1.36% westbound near Perrinville. [CNWM]
| Station | MP from Narenta | Notes |
| Narenta | 0.0 | |
| Tesch | 2.85 | X/I=CNW Ore Line, X/I=Soo Line |
| Schaffer | 3.7 | P-1078' |
| Perrinville | 7.4 | P=1830' |
| Whitney | 9.6 | P-861' |
| Section 13 Spur | 12.3 | 621' spur |
| La Branch | 15.1 | 1,378' spur |
| Faunus | 17.2 | P=990' |
| Section 19 Spur | 18.6 | 660' spur. |
| Helps Spur -in Section 23 | 22.4 | 780' spur. |
| Section 25 Spur | 24.8 | 568' spur. |
| Hylas | 26.1 | P=1,347' |
| Hardwood | 27.5 | 1,030' spur. |
| Foster City | 29.8 | P=990'. 390' and 1,847' spurs. |
| Spruce | 32.7 | Y. Tail of wye once continued to Calumet Mine. |
| Felch | 34.9 | 822' spur. |
| End of Track | 35.1 | As of 1943 |
| Metropolitan | 36.21 | |
Note Key: C=Coal | D=Open during the day | DN=Day and night | H=Half Interlocked | J=Junction | N=Open at night | P=Passing Track w/40' car capacity | S=Scales | TC=Telegraph call | W=Water | X=Crossing | Y=Wye | Yard=Yard
[REF] = As of 1948 plus additions.
Time Line
1931. The MPUC notes that freight service to Foster City has diminished in recent years and the railroad is operating only one regular train a week on the branch, which seems to be sufficient to take care of the traffic presented. The railway also is furnishing truck service two days a week for less-than-carload business in this territory. [MPUC-1931]
1950. The C&NW petitions the MPUC to abandon their line from Narenta to Felch. [BCE-1950-0227]
1970. Most of this line was 60-72 lb. rail, laid in the 1890's. Ties on dirt or gravel. [CNWM]
Bibliography
The following sources are utilized in this website. [SOURCE-YEAR-MMDD-PG]:
- [AAB| = All Aboard!, by Willis Dunbar, Eerdmans Publishing, Grand Rapids ©1969.
- [AAN] = Alpena Argus newspaper.
- [AARQJ] = American Association of Railroads Quiz Jr. pamphlet. © 1956
- [AATHA] = Ann Arbor Railroad Technical and Historical Association newsletter "The Double A"
- [AB] = Information provided at Michigan History Conference from Andrew Bailey, Port Huron, MI
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