Timetable: Detroit & Mackinac Ry. - Rose City Branch - Emery Junction to Rose City

Open stations as of 1922.  Single track branch line which left the Prescott Branch 100 yds west of Emery Junction. A short 0.8 branch from Smith Junction to South Branch is reflected in this branch line.

Key:  C=Coal | D=Open during the day | DN=Day and night | I=Interlocker | J=Junction | P=Passing Track w/40' car capacity | Q=Quarry | S=Scales | T=Turntable | TC=Telegraph call | W=Water | X=Crossing | Y=Wye | Yard=Yard

Notes

This line was built for the primary purpose of logging.

Sources = [DMAR] + 1922 D&M employee timetable, plus additions.

Time Line

1886. The Detroit, Bay City & Alpena builds the Rose City branch from Emery Junction to Maltbys, a distance of 22.6 miles. [MRL]

1893. The branch is extended from Maltbys to Rose City in 1893. [MRL]

1902. The railroad replaces a wooden trestle over Hale Creek with a 228 foot steel trestle and girder span. [DMAR-1902]

1905. The D&M railroad will next week begin the work on its extension to Rose City from the main line for the Prescott Lumber Co. which will erect a new mill at Rose City or Millersburg. A strong attempt is being made to have the D&M extend the road to Mio, the county seat of Otsego county, which is without railroad connections. The company has offered, it is claimed, to operate the road and furnish steel and ballast if those interested will grade and tie the road. The terms offered by the railroad are those offered to lumbermen, for a distance of one mile for every 2,000,000 feet of timber, that is to be transported. [DFP-1905-0514]

1907, A tour of the line by representatives of the Michigan Railroad Commission noted the use of 56 lb. rail with four-bolt rail joints. Most switches were of the stub type with solid frogs. There were no switch lights because the railroad did not operate at night. A new depot was noted in Rose City. Train orders were transmitted by telephone. [MCR-1907}

1909, From Emery Junction to Rose City. Rail on this branch is 50, 56 and 70 pound, mostly 50 pound and is considerably worn. Weeds on right-of-way have not been cut. Several of the company's wire crossings need reconstruction so as to comply with the specifications of this department. The ballast is of a light grade. The surface and alignment of track is fair. There are a number of stub switches still in service on this branch and a number of the same are not properly blocked. Cattle guards are of the steel surface pattern and are in fair condition, however, it was noted that a number of them should be renewed. This branch is fairly well fenced. Crossings and crossing signs satisfactory. The trains on this branch are operated by the telephone system. There are very few stations of any importance on this branch. New stock yards have been built at Taft. The Long Lake station has one waiting room and is painted both inside and out. No bulletin board provided for the bulletining of passenger trains. Switch stands are provided with double switch targets and locks. The tie renewals have been liberal, and the surface and alignment of track is fair. There are no passenger stations of any importance on this line with the exception of at Long Lake and Rose City. The station at Rose City is satisfactorily maintained and seems to be equal to the traffic presented. From Emery Junction to Smith Junction the track is much better than from Smith Junction to Rose City. The speed of trains between Smith Junction and Rose City should not exceed 20 miles per hour and from Smith Junction to Emery Junction not to exceed 25 miles per hour. [MCR-1909]

1926. May. The D&M applied to the ICC for authority to abandon the Rose City branch from Emery junction to Rose City in Ogemaw County, 31 miles, plus a short branch from Smith junction to South Branch, a mile in length. [DFP-1926-0530] They were ordered to keep the branch in operation for at least 18 more months. [BCE-1927-0818]

1927. The railroad had one round trip, 2nd class train in each direction (#21 and #22) on Wednesday and Saturday. This was likely a mixed passenger/freight train. The train had scheduled stops at Taft, Hale, Long Lake, South Branch, Lupton and Rose City. The remainder of the towns were flag stops. The only station with a day time operator was National CIty. [ETT-1927]

1930. The Rose City branch is abandoned. [MNRL]