Timetable: GTW - Holly Subdivision - Detroit to Durand

This is the original Detroit & Milwaukee railroad. Stations below open as of 1967. Identified sidings are from 1974. This is one of the oldest railroad lines in Michigan.

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. Letters in quotes are telegraph calls, called Office Signals on this line.

Notes

[REF] = GTW employee timetable #107 June 23, 1935, plus additions.

Time Line

1871. The Detroit & Milwaukee ran three passenger trains between Detroit and Grand Haven, a distance of about 189 miles. They also ran a mixed train between Owosso and Grand Rapids. [MCGW]

1880's. When the Ann Arbor railroad (predecessor) was built in Durand, the road paralleled this line until just south of the Durand Depot, and then crossed the GTW immediately south of the depot. It then continued (north) along the east side of the Durand depot, and crossed the east-west GTW main line. It also crossed the GTW branch to Bay City. At a later time, the AA and GTW shared joint trackage on the Holly sub. The AA line joined the GTW at Pitt (Pittsburg Road), and they diverged away just north of the Durand depot and crossing. From this time, they used the west side of the Durand depot.

1923. The MPSC issues final orders to the GTW for grade separation on this line between Brush Street station and Milwaukee Junction. [MPSC-1923] Click for details.

1929. The railroad is grade separated from Gratiot Avenue in Detroit. [DFP-1929-0929]

1935. This line was double track.

1867. This line is double track from Brush Street Union Station north to West Pontiac, then single track to Durand. 

1974. This line was double track from Brush Street Station to Boulevard Switch, and also double track from Clay Avenue (in Detroit) to West Pontiac. In other words, it was single track through the Milwaukee Jct. interlocker, which made this crossing a much simpler operation. From West Pontiac to Durand, it was also single track. The line was ABS (automatic block signals) north to MAL Junction (in Pontiac) and then CTC to Durand. The CTC was originally controlled by a dispatcher at Pontiac Yard. [GTW ETT 1974]

1974. This line had three passenger trains each way, between Detroit and Pontiac. This was a commuter line, later operated by SEMTA. The trains had stops at Milwaukee Jct., Chrysler Center, Ferndale, Pleasant Ridge, Royal Oak, Oakwood Blvd., Birmingham, Charing Cross, Bloomfield Hills, and Pontiac. A typical train leaving Detroit arrived in Pontiac in one hour. A fourth limited passenger train operated between Detroit and Birmingham with intermediate stops at Milwaukee Jct. and Royal Oak. [GTW ETT 1974]

1978. This line staffed highway grade crossings at Mack, Superior, Forest, Warren, Ferry and Milwaukee Avenue. This signalmen each controlled 3-4 crossings adjacent to their signal tower. [GTW ETT 1978]

1878. This line had GTW yards at Brush Station, Milwaukee Junction, Ferndale, Pontiac, Columbia Avenue (Pontiac), and Durand. Maximum speed for passenger trains ws 65 and 60 mph for freights. There were 18 crossovers on the line at various locations.