Timetable: GTW - Muskegon Sub - Ashley to Muskegon

The GTW used trackage rights on the Ann Arbor railroad to reach Ashley from Durand Yard.

In 1948, a 49 mile section of this subdivision was abandoned between Greenville and Simpson. The GTW continued to reach Muskegon via trackage rights on the PRR from Penn Jct. to Simpson.

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

[REF] = GTW employee timetable #107 6/23/1935, plus additions.

Notes

Initials after station name above is the telegraph call sign.

West of Shaw on the Muskegon Railway and Navigation Company.

Time Line

1888. April 27. Trains from the Toledo, Saginaw & Muskegon road will run into Owosso over the Toledo &I Ann Arbor. [OT-1888-0427]

1888. May 26. A freight train is now running over the TS&M road from Ashley to Muskegon, and is doing a thriving business. [FIN-1888-0526]

1888. Ballasting on the TS&M road will be completed in about 30 days. [WEX-1888-0621]

1888. August. By the new GT arrangement with the TS&M, a train will leave Detroit beginning next Monday at 6:30 am, reach Greenville at noon, Cedar Springs at 1 pm and Muskegon at 2:55 pm. This is a reduction of four hours in the time between Detroit and Muskegon. [DFP-1888-0803]

1888. August. Ben Fletcher arrived back yesterday from a ride over the GT's new Muskegon line and is very enthusiastic about the road. Instead of being a rough logging road, the line is well built and is now in complete running order, needing no improvements. The territory it runs through says Ben "is the Eden of Michigan. The farms are well cleared and crops are looking finely. The road runs through several prosperous towns which are evidently growing rapidly." [DFP-1888-0810]

1888. August 10. The TS&M is now being operated by the GT's DGH&M commencing this week and it is probably that some day Muskegon will be made their lake terminus instead of Grand Haven and that a line of boats will be run across the lake from that point. The Muskegon harbor is open through the severest winter weather, while Grand Haven navigation is often blocked by ice. A branch line may also some day be built to connect the Muskegon with the main line between Grand Rapids and Grand Haven. [GRP-1888-0810]

1932. Michigan railroads since 1932 have quit using the following tracks. Some continue to exist but are not in use: GTW from Greenville to Muskegon. [DFP-1949-1009]

1971. Greenville has a TOFC siding. Car weight is limited to 220,000 lbs on this subdivision. Speed limit is 30 mph, 20 mph through interlockings and less at other locations. The following train order stations are open M-F during the day: Ashley, Carson City, Greenville, Middleton, Perrington and Sheridan.

Photo info: Left, an 1893 timetable on this line from an Official Guide, showing two passenger trains in each direction. 2nd image, a 1915 timetable from the Official Guide of this line also showing two trains each way per day, except Sunday.