Location: Cheboygan, MI - Tannery, Mill and Dock Spurs Interlockings

The Tannery Spur was a Michigan Central track which crossed the D&M main line in Cheboygan. There were also crossings of tracks to the paper mill, and the MC dock track. The crossings were protected by interlocking plants until 1924.


Notes


Time Line

1904.July 28. Judge Shepherd tonight granted the Michigan Central Railroad Co, an injunction restraining the Detroit & Mackinac Railroad Co. from crossing its spur track, from the main line to Cheboygan Paper Co's plant, and from invading the street in front of the Michigan Central's property north of Court Street. The D&M has removed its obstructions from the diamond crossing in the paper mill spur. [DFP-1904-0629]

1924. Before the MICHIGAN PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION.

In the Matter of the Application of the Michigan Central Railroad Company for Permission to Discontinue the Interlocking Plants at the Crossings of Its Spur Tracks with the tracks of the Detroit and Mackinac Railway in Cheboygan at what Is known as Tannery Track, Paper Mill Track. Dock Track and Division Street and to substitute Therefor Swing Gates. D-537. July 28, 1924.

An inspection of the points in question having been made by Chief Inspecting Engineer Bice, at which time representatives of the Michigan Central Railroad Company and the Detroit and Mackinac Railway Company were present and heard relative to said matter;

The Commission after examining the report of said inspection are advised that all of the switching in Cheboygan is now being done by one railroad company and they are of the opinion that under such conditions there is no necessity for the continuing of the interlocking plants at said crossings and, therefore, they have concluded that the request be granted;

THEREFORE, it is HEREBY ORDERED, that permission be and the same is hereby granted to the Michigan Central Railroad Company and the Detroit and Mackinac Railway Company to discontinue and remove the interlocking plants at the crossings of the tracks of the Detroit and Mackinac Railway and the tracks of the Michigan Central Railroad at said Tannery Track, Paper Mill Track, Dock Track and Division Street and to substitute therefor swing gates: the normal position of such gates to be clear for main line traffic on the Detroit and Mackinac Railway and against traffic on the spur tracks of the Michigan Central Railroad;

And It is FURTHER ORDERED, that all engines and trains on the main line of the Detroit and Mackinac Railway approach said crossings and gates under control and when said gates are found in normal position may proceed over said crossing at a rate of speed not to exceed fifteen (15) miles per hour.

When it becomes necessary to operate on said spur track crossings the conductor in charge of engines or trains shall, after satisfying himself that no engines or trains on the main line of the Detroit and Mackinac Railway are in the near vicinity of said crossing and about to cross, set said gates clear for traffic on said spur tracks and against traffic on the main line of the Detroit and Mackinac Railway, and after having passed over said crossings said gates to be immediately reset to their normal position.

MICHIGAN PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION.

1927. The D&M main line was crossed by three MCRR spurs here, including the tannery spur, two paper mill spurs and the MC dock track. The crossings were protected by gates. The tannery track was described as being one mile south of Cheboygan station. The paper mill tracks were near Court Street. [ETT-1927]

Bibliography

The following sources are utilized in this website. [SOURCE-YEAR-MMDD-PG]:

  • [AAB| = All Aboard!, by Willis Dunbar, Eerdmans Publishing, Grand Rapids ©1969.
  • [AAN] = Alpena Argus newspaper.
  • [AARQJ] = American Association of Railroads Quiz Jr. pamphlet. © 1956
  • [AATHA] = Ann Arbor Railroad Technical and Historical Association newsletter "The Double A"
  • [AB] = Information provided at Michigan History Conference from Andrew Bailey, Port Huron, MI

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