Timetable: C&NW - Mansfield Spur/ Amasa Branch - Crystal Falls to Mansfield Mine

This C&NW spur was constructed in 1882 to serve the mines in north and east of Crystal Falls and then in 1889 it was extended east to the Mansfield Mine. It became known as the Mansfield branch or spur.

A branch line from near the Great Western Mine north to Amasa was built in 1891. It was removed in 1937 after the ore pooling agreement was reached with the MILW.

Trains from Crystal Falls going to Amasa had to pull north past Crystal Falls Junction, back east over the Paint River bridge and onto the Mansfield spur for about one mile, and then proceed north to Amasa on the Amasa Branch in a zig-zag switch-back pattern. This was likely planned to avoid crossing the Paint River a second time and perhaps avoiding mines in the area.

The line was removed east of the Great Western Mine in 1915 and the remaining portion removed in 1937. [MRL]

Key:  C=Coal | D=Open during the day | DN=Day and night | H=Half Interlocked | I=Interlocker | 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.

Notes

The footings for the former bridge on this line over the Paint River are clearly visible today, just north of the dam.

Time Line

1890. Today's noon train of freight carried a number of dump cars and old rails which will be switched out to the present terminus of the Armenia mine spur to be used in the construction of the railroad to the Mansfield Mine. [DD-1890-0426]

1890. July 19. Lumber and mining supplies will now be carried over the road by the locomotive and no longer will it be necessary for horse and wagon to be brought into requisition. The Mansfield mine branch was completed one week ago this evening. Monday, the first train went forth. Eight cars of the rich Mansfield ore and tagged to Escanaba is what sped over the line. The right-of-way was also commenced on the Hemlock branch. [DD-1890-0719]