Interlocking: Ford Junction, Highland Park, MI

Ford Junction was the interlocked grade crossing of the Grand Trunk Western main line (Detroit to Grand Haven) and the Detroit Terminal belt line in Highland Park.

Photo info: Top, the interlocking tower at Ford Junction in the 1960's. [Charles Geletzke Jr.], 2nd photo is a blueprint of the Ford Jct. interlocking c. 1920's. The route north-south (side to side) is the double-tracked Grand Trunk Western, from Detroit to Pontiac. The east-west (up to down) double track line is the Detroit Terminal, between North Yard and Dearborn. The lead off the Detroit Terminal (upper left) goes into the Ford Motor Company Highland Park Assembly plant. The tower for the interlocker is in the northeast quadrant of the crossing. [Dale Berry photo from the Interlocker files at the State of Michigan Archives]. 3rd photo, an overhead view of Ford Interlocking in 2003. By this time, both lines are now single tracked. [James Agnew]

Notes

Location: 42^o24.901'N / 83^o05.213'W.

The interlocker, tower, oil house, etc. at Ford Junction in Highland Park is 100% owned by the DT. The DGH&M maintains and operates the tower and bills the DT for a share. Each company maintains its own derails. The six diamonds here are maintained by the DTRR at their sole expense. Agreement dated October 1, 1924.

The diamond crossing of the GT track across the DT to serve the Braun Lumber Co. is owned and maintained by the GT which bills the DT. Agreement dates April 1, 1927. [GT 1935 agreement]

Time Line

1912. The railroad commission approves plans submitted by the Michigan Central proposing a full interlocking and derailing switch and signal system at the crossing of the Detroit Terminal railroad and the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee (GTW) here. [MCR-1912] 

1917. The GTW had operators here around the clock. [TRT]

1917. The railroad commission gives permission to the Detroit Terminal railroad to cross over the DGH&M (GTW) railroad 800 feet north of Ford Junction, ordering an interlocking plant. The DT is approved for semaphore signals and derail protection. [MCR-1917]