Time Line - 1998

Last Year | Next Year

• January: CSX spends $2.5 million to replace the electrical and mechanical systems in its troubled St. Joseph bridge at St. Joseph. The bridge was built in 1905. [COHS-2/1998]

• April 30: CSXT sells 51-mile Port Huron Subdivision to RailAmerica, Inc. which will operate it as the Saginaw Valley Railway Co. (SGVY). The line runs from just east of Saginaw (Paines) to Brown City, MI. [C&OHS7-1998]

• Mid: GTW abandons portion of the Romeo subdivision from Richmond to washington. The rails are to be removed this winter. This section has not seen rail service in a number of years. GTW has also applied to abandon the section from Washington to Pontiac. [MRC-11/98]

• August 10: Manhattan Jct. and the Cherry Street branch (of the Norfolk Southern) come under the control of the Yardmaster at Homestead Yard. [MRC-11/98]

• Summer: The City of Marquette purchases the old ore dock approach trestle right-of-way that bisects their downtown area for $200,000. The Front St. portion of the trestle, which carries a "Welcome to Marquette" message will remain. [MRC-11/98]

• Fall: CSX and NS have begun upgrading the Lincoln Branch, between Carleton and Detroit.  CSX trains will now be able to get on the Lincoln Branch at Schaefer Road and head south. [MRC-11/98]

• Fall: The Ann Arbor Railroad completes relocation of their Ottawa Yard in Toledo to make room for the new Chrysler Jeep plant. [AATHA-SS/1997]

• Fall: CSX, now the owner of the line from MA (Michigan Avenue) to North Lansing, removes one section of double track to make the line single track.  CTC signaling is also installed, controlled from Jacksonville.  One track in the Ensel Yard (Lansing) is modified to be used as a passing track. [MRC-11/98]

• Fall: The remaining GTW Jackson subdivision from M.A.L. Junction in Pontiac to Heego Harbor is placed out of service and is up for abandonment. [MRC-11/98]

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• Saginaw Valley RR takes over operation of the former 52-mile CSX line from Saginaw to Brown City - 4/27/1998. [MRC-6/00]

Time line Key:

• Railroad event in Michigan
• Event relating to mining
• Event related to car ferries
• Event outside of Michigan
• Improvement in Technology
• Railroad built or extended
• Railroad abandoned and/or removed
• Economic panic or depression