Interlocking: Sturgis, MI - RK Tower

RK Interlocking Tower was located in Sturgis at the crossing of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern's "Old Road" and the north south Grand Rapids & Indiana branch between Fort Wayne and Mackinaw City, and the MC/LS Goshen Branch which ran north to Battle Creek.

Photo Info: Top, an old photo of RK Interlocking at Sturgis, looking south on the Grand Rapids & Indiana railroad. Note the 6 pipe controls which headed south. These were adjusted up in the tower and controlled derails, locks, switches and signals. [St. Joseph County Historical Society]. 2nd photo, a Wabash 168-A, a unit on lease by the Pennsylvania Railroad, pulls a freight train past RK Interlocking Tower in Sturgis in 1955. [Mark Dobronski collection]. 3rd photo, this is the interlocking tower looking east towards the depot in 1973. [Mark Hindsdale]. 4th-6th photos, the RK crossing in Sturgis, eastbound, northbound and southbound. [Nathan Nietering]

Notes

This crossing was known in later years as CP-Sturgis. [ZTS]

This tower was also known on the GR&I as "Red Oak", which has something to do with the telegraph call "RK". [CQII]

The tower at Sturgis had a 22 lever frame machine, with 7 levers for 9 signals, 1 lever for 1 switch and derail, 1 lever for FPL and detector locking, and 11 spare levers. The devices were connected to the tower by pipe. The PRR paid 27% for maintenance and 50% for operation. Speed limits for the PRR was 55/40 mph for passenger/freight. NYC speed limit was 30 mph. The interlocker was maintained by the PRR. The tower was located in the southeast quadrant of the crossing. [CQII]

The GR&I/PRR has a large freight house in the southwest quadrant of the crossing. [CQII]

Time Line

1903. This was a Saxby-Farmer lever machine installed by Standard Signal Company. [MCR-1904]

Industry

• Kirsch Copper plant
• Lakeland Paper
• Ross Labs
• Sturgis Iron and Metal
• United Paper