Railroad: Detroit Transit Company

Built → Detroit Transit Company → Detroit Terminal railroad → Detroit Manufacturers' railroad

Began: 1872

Operated for 29 years,

Sold in 1901 to the Detroit Terminal railroad, then to Detroit Manufacturers' railroad in 1902

Operated initially by Grand Trunk, and then MC in 1902.

Reference: [DFP][MRRC]

Notes

Initially organized under the Michigan tramway act of 1853. Franchise renewed by the City of Detroit in 1901 for 30 years. No provision was made in the franchise for taxes. The property was sold to the Detroit Manufacturers' railroad in 1902, organized under general railroad laws which provide for tax payments to the state in lieu of local taxes. DFP-1903-1023]

Reportedly owned by several individuals who owned businesses along the Detroit River on Atwater Street.

Time Line

1873. November 19. The locomotive "Pontiac" and two flat cars belonging to the D&M railroad were switched on to the new Transit railway, and run up the road its entire length as far as finished, a mile and a quarter. The flat cars were loaded with iron for switches, and the train passed along at good speed, finding the road-bed as firm as a rock. Frank Flanigan acted as engineer of the locomotive, and James Smith was fireman, while Thomas Wilson acted as conductor of the train.

The "first train" drew many sight-seers, and may be considered an event of some local importance, as the plans for Transit Railway have been considerably modified since the company was organized. The first idea was to lay strap rails on Atwater street and Woodbridge street west, and run flat cars solely in the interests of the manufacturers along the streets who wanted to ship or receive freight.

The Council has finally appealed to and permission gained to use "T" rails instead of strap. That part of the road iron and ready for service connects with the D&M road, between Riopelle and Orleans streets, and extends to Adair street. Six switches lead to coal and lumber yards and manufacturing establishments, and several more are to be laid.

Connection will be made with both stove works, the car works, and all the blast furnaces and large boiler shops in Hamtramck. The road runs up Guoin to Walker street, across Walker to Wight, up Wight to the Stove Works. With the present dubious weather prospect before them the company does not consider it very likely that much further progress will be made this season. The feasibility of eventually extending this road to Grosse Point and running one passenger train per day each way has been quite seriously discussed, but no definite conclusion as to that has been reached. [DFP-1873-1120]

1881. May. A train on the Transit Railroad ran off the track on Guoin street plunging violently into the Burrel, Ives & Co. and the Russel heel and Foundry Co.'s fenced, breaking portions of the and literally pulverizing the lumber used in the construction. The shock occasioned by the bumping of the wheels on the ties caused the toppling over of piles of hoops in the Burrel Ives & Co.'s yard and the smashing of dishes and glassware in many of the houses in the vicinity. [DFP-1881-0529]

1882. The Committee on Streets and Ordinances met yesterday to consider the protest of property owners on Guoin street against the Transit Railway Company laying their track through the street. The protest was informally discussed but as neither the railway company nor the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee was represented at the meeting, it was thought to adjourn until when all the facts will be inquired into. The principal point being whether the railway company is laying the track under the charter obtained from the city, or whether the track is simply an accommodation for the DGH&M. The property owners on the street allege that locomotives run over it in the day time, contrary to the ordinance. [DFP-1882-0107] 

1901. The company is sold to the Detroit Terminal railroad.

1902. The company is sold to the Detroit Manufacturers' railroad.

1902. Operation of the company is transferred to the Michigan Central railroad.