Timetable: MCRR - Air Line Branch - Jackson Junction to Niles Terminal

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This was the Michigan Central's Air Line Branch. Originally envisioned by local entrepreneurs and Canadian rail interests as a cross state route from Ontario to Chicago, the line was split upon completion of the west half  being leased by the Michigan Central and the half east of Jackson going to the Grand Trunk. The part from Niles to South Bend also falling under MC control.

In the late 1800's before the MC main line via Kalamazoo was double-tracked, the MAL  served as an eastbound freight main line from Niles to Jackson. After the MC double-tracked their main line, the Air Line became a minor branch line serving towns and industries along it. During the depression, the MC's MAL was abandoned between Niles and Three Rivers.

In the 1950's, the NYC upgraded the section from Jackson to Junction Switch (near Three Rivers) with Centralized Traffic Control and controlled passing sidings (with the same capabilities added to their Kalamazoo line from Three Rivers to B Tower in Elkhart. When this upgrade was completed, the Niles terminal was downgraded and the hump classification yard in Elkhart upgraded. This station listing below is a hybrid, with station hours from 1897 but with the CTC controlled sidings after the 1950's added. Passing sidings are in 44' cars.

Image Info: New York Central 6104 pulls a westbound van train on the Air Line, one block west of OD Tower in southwest Jackson. 1963. [Doug Leffler]

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 | TP=Track Pan | W=Water | X=Crossing | Y=Wye | Yard=Yard

Notes

The Fort Wayne branch had its own track from Jackson Junction to Haires which was parallel and north of the Air Line. At Haires, it crossed over the Air Line at an interlocking and then headed south. For many years, the Fort Wayne and Air Line branches were operated as double track from Jackson Junction to Haires.

Note that the controlled sidings were numbered from Jackson west, which was unusual for the railroad which normally identified its control points based on milepost. CP-1 was likely OD Tower. The CTC control board was located at Jackson depot. (The dispatchers moved from Jackson Junction to Jackson depot when the CTC installation was completed.)

According to sources, the Air Line had track pans at Clarendon, Wasepi and Vandaiia for taking on tender water on the move. There was also a large coaling tower at Clarendon which straddled the main line. Even though this branch is gone today, the coaling tower still exists in the woods near Clarendon, reportedly on private property. 

Time Line

1870. The Michigan Air-Line Railroad company is building a track from Jackson to the Fort Wayne road (later called Haires) four miles south. It has been the intention to use the Fort Wayne track for the trains of both roads, but it was feared by the managers of the new road that the arrangement would cause a great deal of inconvenience. The new track will run parallel with and in close proximity to the one already down. [SJH-1870-0910]

1870. Telegraph wires are being put up along the Michigan Air Line railroad. [DFP-1870-1222]

1871. July. The Michigan Central announces that on and after Monday, the Atlantic express will go via the new air-line route from Niles to Jackson. This reduces running distance about seventeen miles. [DFP-1871-0723]

1871. The MC runs two round trip passenger trains between Jackson and Niles on the Air Line division, leaving Jackson at 7:20 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. The first train is slower, arriving in 9 hours, 50 minutes. The second train arrives in Niles in just under five hours. The Air Line division also has a local train from Three Rivers west to Niles. [MCGW]

1875. SNAPSHOT: The Michigan Central runs three scheduled trains daily except Sunday between Niles and Jackson on the Air Line. They include a mail train, the Detroit Express, and a way freight. [NREP-1875-0603]

1875. Reports from the Michigan Central notes that the Air Line Division from Jackson to Niles has never been and will never be profitable, except as a double track for the main line (through Kalamazoo). If it did not serve this purpose, the company "could not afford to retain it". As an independent road, it would be of no value. [DFP-1875-0723]

1876. A petition is being circulated at Union City and other places along the Air Line, requesting that the MC again put on the Three Rivers accommodation train. [DFP-1876-1220]

1879. The Air Line Division of the MCRR shows a fall of over 200 feet between Jackson and Niles. [DFP-1879-0216]

1890. Michigan Central's new "North Shore" passenger train will probably be run over the Air Line as soon as the road is put in shape to receive it. An electric switch [Interlocker] is being placed at Cassopolis and the railroad crossings at Wasepi and Homer already have these switches, this train can make the run from Jackson to Niles with but one stop at Three Rivers for water, in 45 minutes less time than it takes over the Main Line. [WPAL-1890-0530]

1933. The Interstate Commerce Commission authorizes the abandonment of the "Barron Lake" branch in Cass and Berrien counties. The line is five miles long and runs from what is known as the airline cut-off in Cass County to Lake Street in Berrien County. It was built in 1870 and 1871 by the Michigan Airline Railroad company, predecessor for the MC and for many years was used as a part of the main line from Jackson through Niles to South Bend. Passenger service was discontinued in 1925 and freight service in 1929 and since that time the branch has rendered no service. [LSJ-1933-0202]

1948. June. The Fire Department was summoned to the Michigan Central Airline railroad bridge about two miles east of Homer Sunday when it was discovered the bridge was burning. The intense heat and smoke from the creosote treated timbers hindered the firemen somewhat in extinguishing the blaze. The damage was estimated at $8,000. The bridge is being repaired and is expected that trains will be traveling over it this week. [HOM-1948-0603]