Railroad: Michigan Central railroad

The Michigan Central railroad was organized by Boston financers in 1846 to purchase the "Central" line which was built and owned by the State of Michigan. Around 1878, the Vanderbilt family asserted control of the company through stock purchases, and the line (along with the Canada Southern) began a slow integration into the New York Central system, which was completed in 1930. In addition to the main line from Detroit to Chicago, the MC purchased branch lines all over Michigan.

"Central" line → Michigan Central Railroad → New York Central System

Chartered: 1846

Operated For 84 years

Purchased from the State of Michigan: 1846

Control by: Vanderbilt lines - around 1878

Merged into: New York Central in 1930.

[MRRC] 

Notes

The Michigan Central railroad was created primarily by Boston capitalists for the purpose of purchasing the "Central" line from the State of Michigan. See "Central" line. In the late 1830's, the state had invested in several public works projects consisting of new railroads and canals. The "central" project was one of these. Though more successful than the other public works projects, the state decided to exit these projects and this line, radiating west from Detroit was sold to the Michigan Central.

The Michigan Central was a profitable and successful railroad over the years, known for many innovations. It became controlled by Vanderbilt interests (NYC&HR) and in 1916 was merged into the New York Central System. But it continued to be called the "Michigan Central" by many, and in fact the great Michigan Central passenger station in Detroit is still known by that name. 

Photo Info: Top, this is MCRR No. 20, the "Stag Hound", taken in 1854. The locomotive was a product of the Lowell Locomotive Works. Note the large driver wheels which provided speed necessary for passenger train operations. The locomotive was also equipped with an oil headlight for night operations. This was a typical new locomotive purchase in the 1850's. [Doug Leffler collection]. 2nd photo, MC conductor Charles Milliken making a self portrait in his caboose in 1915. [Doug Leffler collection]

Books

Michigan Central Trackside With Emery Gulash

Time Line

1846. Acquires the "Central" line from State of Michigan, from Detroit to Kalamazoo.

1852. Builds from Kalamazoo to Chicago.

1870. Leased the Kalamazoo & South Haven. Consolidated in 1916.

1870. Leased the Grand River Valley. Consolidated 1916.

1871. Leased the Michigan Air Line railroad. Consolidated in 1916.

1871. Leased the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw. Consolidated in 1916.

1875. Michigan Central conductors donned their new uniforms on Tuesday. [NREP-1875-0617]

1878. Oct. 31. James F. Joy resigned the position of counsel to the MCRR as of the last annual meeting. [DFP-1878-1031]

1880. The railroad pays the remaining $70,000 to resolve disputes from the recent accident at Jackson. [MCAR-1880]

1880. A train of 26 cars - 15 coaches containing 40 foreign immigrants, 9 freight cars loaded with their baggage, and two with express and baggage, left Detroit over the Michigan Central [for Chicago] on May 14. [NREP-1880-0520] As a result of the enormous emigrant business, the MC is unable to furnish coaches for excursion trains on June 10th and the Diamond Lake Grand Regatta will be postponed. [TTN-1880-0528]

1881. The new telegraph poles put up along the MC have foot-holds for men to climb up. It is claimed that the use of spurs in climbing destroys the poles in time by the hacking which they receive. [DFP-1881-0130]

1881. The telegraph department of the MC semi-annually consumes 150,000 message blanks, 52,000 envelopes, 350 pounds of message paper, 400 lead pencils, 3 tons of vitriol, 1,702 battery zincs, 1,618 coppers for batteries and a large number of pens. These supplies are for 120 offices on the main line and branches. [NDEM-1881-0319]

1881. Leased the Detroit & Bay City. Consolidated in 1916.

1882. July. During Vanderbilt's recent western visit, Manager Ledyard of the MC had a long and earnest conversation with him, and the next day several of Pinkerton's detectives were employed by the road. Within a week nearly a dozen conductors were handed their "time". Boys, you are all good fellows, but large brick houses cannot be built and fine carriages driven on an income of $900 or $1,200 a year. [NREP-1882-0720]

1882. Operating agreement for the Canada Southern Railway. (Leased in 1904).

1882. November 30. The Michigan Central has leased the Canada Southern road for a term of 21 years and the two hereinafter be under the management of the Central. The Michigan Central drops the Great Western and the latter will hereafter run in connection with the Grand Trunk. [NREP-1882-1130]

1883. Leased the Saginaw Bay & Northwestern.

1888. Leased the Lansing Transit railroad.

1889. Leased the Bay City & Battle Creek railroad and Battle Creek & Sturgis railroad. Consolidated in 1916.

1889. President Ledyard of the MC and several officers of that road took a trial trip yesterday in the president's new private car, Michigan Central No. 1. The party went as far as Wayne Junction. The new car is the finest yet turned out of the Michigan Central shops and is provided with all the luxuries and modern conveniences to be found in any palace on wheels. [DFP-1889-0801]

1890. The MC announces the following flower show excursions: April 23 from Jackson and all stations up to and including Wayne Junction. Also on the Saginaw Valley and Bay City division. April 24 from the Grand Rapids division. April 24 from the Grand Rapids and Saginaw divisions. April 25, from Kalamazoo, Jackson and points between those stations, and also from Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and points between. [DFP-1890-0410]

1891. Controlled the Grayling, Twin Lakes & Northeastern.

1894. Controlled the Buchanan & St. Joseph River. Consolidated 1916.

1895. Controlled the Detroit, Delray & Dearborn (at incorporation). Consolidated in 1916.

1895. The MC is laying new rails, 80-lb. section on 28 miles of its track west of Niles, Mich. [RG]

1895. The MCRR has ordered from the General Electric Co. two search lights with which to illuminate Niagara Falls. The lamps will be of 100,000 candlepower each, and will have 48 inch reflectors. They will be placed near Falls View station. [RG]

1895. The Superintendent of the United State Mail Service has arranged for postal cars on fast trains between Buffalo and Detroit, through Canada, by the Michigan Central. [RG]

1898. Governor Pingree demanded a ticket from Detroit to Ypsilanti at the legal 2-cent rate, and then paid the full 3 cent fare under protest. The MC claims to be exempt under its special charter from obligation to carry passengers at a 2-cent rate. The Governor contends that the company's charter was amended by a general railroad law passed in 1891. The Governor brings suit to compel the 2¢ rate. [CCA-1898-0210]

1902. January 11. The MCRR reorganizes, surrendering its special charter, and re-incorporating the company under the general railroad law. [MCR-1902]

1902. Leased the Detroit Manufacturers railroad.

1902. Control of the Detroit, Toledo & Milwaukee (50% with Lake Shore & Michigan Southern). Leased in 1905.

1903. President Ledyard of the Michigan Central is to retire August 1 and W. H. Newman, president of the New York Central and the Lake Shore roads will be made president of the Michigan Central. This plan is similar to the PRR. [DFP-1903-0620]

1903. SHAPSHOT: The MC operated 461 locomotives, 24 12-wheel passenger cars, 244 8-wheel passenger cars, 117 baggage/express cars, 8,842 box cars, 651 stock cars, 2,290 platform cars, 2,124 ore cars, and 280 conductor way cars. The railroad also owned 25 snow flangers, 5 snow plows, 2 pile drivers, 8 steam shovels, 2 steam wrecking cranes, 3 steam derricks, 4 hand derricks, 113 side dump construction cars, 130 tool cars, 65 boarding cars and 35 oil tank cars. The five largest categories of freight hauled in tons were: bituminous coal (16%), lumber (9%), anthracite coal (8%), grain (7%) and stone (6%). [MCR-1904]

1904. The Michigan Central orders fourteen 2-8-0 , three 4-6-2 and seventeen 4-6-0 locomotives from the American Locomotive Company. The MC also orders 1,500 box cars and 800 stock cars from the American Car & Foundry company. [RG]

1905. Leased assigned of the St. Joseph, South Bend & Southern.

1905. Leased the Lansing Manufacturers railroad (50% with Lake Shore & Michigan Southern).

1905. Control of the Detroit Terminal (25%, along with Lake Shore & Michigan Southern (25%) and GTW.

1905. October 27. The MCRR begins using Eastern Time in their timetables. [RG-1905-1027:129]

1906. Leased the Toledo, Canada Southern & Detroit. Consolidated in 1916.

1906. Control of the Chicago, Kalamazoo and Saginaw.

1906. SNAPSHOT. November. The Michigan Central dispatches 29 trains each day from the Third Street station along the river in Detroit:

• Westbound: Chicago Express (2), Grand Rapids, Chicago Special, Mail & Express, The Wolverine, Grand Rapids Special, Chicago Express, Hillsdale Express, Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids Express.
• Eastbound: St. Thomas Accommodation (2), American Express, NY & Boston Express (4), and The Wolverine.
• Northbound: Northern Peninsula Special (2) and Saginaw & Bay City Express (2).
• Southbound: Cincinnati Express (2), Grosse Isle Accommodation (3), Queen City Limited, Pittsburg & Indiana Express. 

1907. Leased the Detroit River Tunnel Company.

1907. Control of the Detroit & Charlevoix. Consolidated 1916.

1909. Leased the Detroit Belt Line. Consolidated in 1916.

1920. The Michigan Central railroad serves 733 industries in Detroit with 719 sidings and a car capacity of 7,124 cars. They have 242 sets of team tracks which hold 1,214 cars and ten freight houses. [DWT-1920] This is the largest capacity to serve industry of all railroads in the Detroit market.

1926. The MC orders ten coaches from the Pullman Car & Manufacturing Company, and ten baggage cars from the American Car & Foundry. [RR]

1926. The MC reports that steam-operated bell ringers have been installed on all locomotives. [RR]

1930. Leases their railroad to the New York Central railroad.

1961. Bought the Detroit, Hillsdale & South Western.

1976. Conveyed certain properties to Consolidated Rail Corporation.

1978. Conveyed rail properties to Penn Central Corporation.

Reference: [MRRC] and other sources.