Timetable: DSS&A - White Pine Spur - From Bergland to White Pine

This branch was built to access the White Pine mine and smelter in Ontonagon County.  Under Soo Line ownership which was known as the 6th Subdivision.

Key: BB=Bascule Bridge | C=Coal | CS=Car Shop | D=Open > Day | DN=Open Day and night | DS=Dispatcher | DT=Double Main Track | EH=Engine house | F=Diesel Fuel | HI=Half Interlocked Crossing | I=Interlocked Crossing | J=Junction | LB=Lift bridge | N=Open at night | P=Passing Track w/40' car capacity | Q=Quarry | RH=Roundhouse # stalls | RT=Railroad Resort | S=Scales | SB=Swing bridge | T=Turntable | TC=Telegraph call | W=Water | X=Crossing | Y=Wye | Yard=Yard

References: Greg Bunce [GB], plus additions.

Notes

Maximum speed in 1961 is 20 mph. Retainers used on all trains operating on this route between MP 12.8 and White Pine westward as follows:  Under 1,000 tons - 5 retainers; 1,000 tones and over - 8 retainers. Retainers all to be placed on the end of the train.

Ronald Kaminen notes on FB that he worked on this line in 1956. The branch job ran six days a week with Sunday off. It ran from Ewen to White Pine and return. Loads went both ways, but he remembers some destined for the Denver Mint for penny production. At this time, they had a 1,000 hp Alco switch engine which could only handle 15-20 cars at a time. He notes that coal came from Ripley at the time. They later got bigger engines, like the 200 class Baldwins.

Time Line

1953. January 10. The first commercial rail cars arrived at White Pine. [from Gaertner book]

2022. January 29. This line in Michigan is purchased by WATCO using its Grand Elk subsidiary. [SSS-2022-Q1]