Timetable: GTW - Jackson Branch - M.A.L. Crossing to Jackson

This route was built by the Michigan Air Line Railroad and sold the GTW upon completion.

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 timetables.

Notes

Time Line

1882. Mr. E.W. Meddaugh, attorney of the Grand Trunk railroad and Mr. H. Yates, Chief Engineer of the GT extensions are in Jackson, stopping at the Hibbard House, and were to meet the Citizens Soliciting Committee this afternoon to let them know exactly what the company will do and what they require of the citizens to secure this branch of the road from Pontiac to Jackson. We understand they will demand from our citizens the $50,000 already raised, the right of way into the city and through the Fair Grounds, and the Hibbard & Smith property on Ganson street, opposite the Fair Grounds, and on the west side of the river, for depot grounds, which latter can be obtained for about $7,000. This is but little to ask for such a necessary improvement and no doubt the proposition will be accepted, and the road will come. The full citizens committee, Messrs. Bunnell, Bloomfield, Withington, Wilson, Smith, Baker and Warner were present, and met the two officials, and their conference resulted in arriving at the certainty that if $50,000 more can be raised for that depot site, the road is assured. [DFP-1882-1013]

1891. It looks as if it would require two large trains to take the people from Port Huron and vicinity and from places along the line of the Michigan Air Line, Grand Trunk division, to Jackson on August 11th. It will give all who would like to go an opportunity to visit the state prison in that city. The fare for round trip is only $3.50 from Port Huron. [PHTH-1891-0716]

1883. May. The GT bridge across the river just north of town is completed and the piles for all the other bridges along the line between Jackson and within four miles of Stockbridge have been driven by the contractor. Work on the road bed is retarded by unfavorable weather, but it going foreword as rapidly as circumstances will permit. [JCP/DFP-1883-0531]

1883. The Grand Trunk is now running trains over the Michigan Air Line from Ridgeway via Pontiac and South Lyon to Pinckney. On December 24 the line will be completed and opened for traffic to Jackson. Two trains each way will be run daily between Ridgeway and Jackson. A passenger train will leave Ridgeway at 8:10 am arriving at Jackson at 1:20 pm. and will leave Jackson at 6:30 pm arriving at Ridgeway at 11:10 pm. A mixed train will leave Ridgeway at 9:40 am arriving at Jackson at 6:15 pm and will leave Jackson at 8:00 am arriving at Ridgeway at 3:30 pm. A local passenger train will leave South Lyon at 5:20 am and arrive at Ridgeway at 8:00 am and returning will leave Ridgeway at 5:35 pm arriving at South Lyon at 8:10 pm. [PHTH-1883-1220]

1895. October. The Michigan Railroad Commission approves the use of the Ann Arbor road of the airline division of the Chicago & Grand Trunk between Hamburg and Hamburg Junction at a cost of $2,000 annual rental, with the understanding that the C&GT will give the Ann Arbor road a line of its own between these two points. [LSJ-1895-1002]

1902. The Air Line division has 60-67 lb. rail in fair condition. [MCR-1903]

1909. The Michigan Air Line Division extends from Lenox to Jackson. The rail is generally 67 pound and in good condition for the traffic presented. A few miles of light rail remains on the track near Jackson which will be replaced with a heavier rail inside of 90 days. The section men were cutting weeds at the time of the inspection. The surface and alignment of track is satisfactory for the traffic presented. Bridge structures satisfactorily maintained, a number of them being rebuilt this year. Bridges generally provided with steel “T” rail for inside guard rail. Switch stands are provided with single and double switch targets; no switch lights. Right of way fence generally in fair condition, considerably new fence having been built during the past year. Highway crossing signs generally satisfactory. A number of farm crossing gates found open. New passenger station at South Lyons which is neat and convenient to the traveling public. The surface cattle guards are generally in fair condition. However, it was noted that several of them had become filled with sand and weeds. The station at Lakeland was found to be in a dilapidated condition and should be renewed. The station platform should be repaired at once. The safety bridge guards at Orchard Lake crossing of the Detroit United Railway needs renewing. The question of a full interlocking and derailing switch and signal system for the crossing of the Pere Marquette R. R. at Wixom and South Lyons was discussed at consider- able length. [MCR-1909]

1917. The Michigan Railroad Commission orders the Michigan Air Line (GTW) railway to restore Trains No. 45 and 48 between Pontiac and Jackson. [MCR-1917]

1971. MAL Crossing. 20 mph within interlocking limits. Signals will be normally clear for movement of trains on Holly subdivision and against movement of trains on Jackson subdivision. Jackson subdivision trainmen will operate the derail and line MAL transfer switch for straight track, and interlocking signals will clear after expiration of two minutes, permitting Jackson subdivision movement. Derail and switch must be restored to normal position after movement is made over crossing. [GTWET-1971-0425]

1971. Car weight limited to 220,000 lbs. Speed limit 30 mph west to Wixom, and 45 mph to Jackson. Stations open approx. 8am-5pm are Walled Lake, South Lyon, Stockbridge and Jackson. Jackson agent handled the interlocking at MCRR crossing mp 104.4, normally set for MC.

1971. Sidings at Orchard Lake (929' E & W switch), New Hudson (2, 710' and 636' E&W), Hamburg (305' switch points facing W), Pinckney (990' E&W), Gregory (670' E&W), Munith (1,445' E&W), Henrietta (1,025' E&W), Roots (265' E&W) and Prison (750' switch points facing E).

1975. February 14. The GTW makes its last revenue run, returning to Pontiac from Jackson. The train picked up four cars from the NYC in interchange in Jackson and ran the 4915 GP-7 locomotive and caboose ran around its train. The train also had an empty plastic pellet car picked up at Gay Toy in Walled Lake and a gondola from Michigan Seamless Tube in South Lyon. Several weeks later, the GTW operated a work train between Lakeland and Jackson to pull up the rails. [GTWHS-2020-Spr]