Timetable: Keweenaw Central - Main Line - Calumet to Mandan

This line was built north from Calumet to Phoenix mine by the La La Belle & Calumet Company prior to 1905 (date unknown). It was reorganized as the Keweenaw Central in 1905 and controlled by the Keweenaw Copper Company.  The line was extended in 1906 to Mandan with a branch to Lac La Belle 1907. [MRL]

The purpose of this line was to move copper ore from mines in Keweenaw County.

In 1918, the line from Phoenix north to Mandan and Lac La Belle was abandoned and removed.

At some point after 1918 the line from Calumet Jct. to Phoenix was sold to the Calumet & Hecla Company. It continued to be in place into the 1960's and operated for part of its existence as a steam powered tourist line. This was a single track line north of Calumet.

Station MP from Calumet Notes
Main Line    
Calumet  0.0   
Calumet Junction  1.7   J = CR
South Kearsarge  2.2   
Wolverine  2.4   
North Kearsarge  3.6   
Allouez  4.6   
Copper City  5.1   
Nichols 5.6 J = CR
Mohawk (xCR)  7.2 
Ojibway  9.7  W
Cliff  12.2   
Crestview Junction  13.8  J = to resort
Phoenix  14.3   
Central  18.1   
Delaware  23.0   
Wyoming  23.5   
Lac La Belle Junction  24.2  J = KC to LL Belle
Mandan  27.9   
     
Branch to Crestview     
Crestview Junction  13.8 
Crestview  ~ 15.0  RT
     
Branch to Lac La Belle     
Lac La Belle Junction  24.2  J = main line
Lac La Belle  ~ 28.0   
     

Key: C=Coal | CS=Car Shop | D=Open > Day | DN=Open Day and night | DS=Dispatcher | EH=Engine house | F=Diesel Fuel | HI=Half Interlocked Crossing | I=Interlocked Crossing | J=Junction |  N=Open at night | P=Passing Track w/40' car capacity | Q=Quarry | RH=Round house # stalls | RT=Railroad Resort | S=Scales | SB=Swing bridge | T=Turntable | TC=Telegraph call | W=Water | X=Crossing | Y=Wye | Yard=Yard

Reference = [ERT[=7/3/1909 [GB] Charles J. Monette, plus additions.


Notes

Keweenaw Central used the tracks of the Coper Range from Calumet to Calumet Junction where their own line started. Maximum speed for freight trains is 18 mph in 1909.


Time Line

1905. Line purchased from Lac La Belle & Calumet company, and operated from Mohawk to Phoenix. [MRL]

1906. New track built from Phoenix to Manden.

1907. New track built from Crestview Jct. to Crestview, and from Lac La Belle Jct. to Lac La Belle. [MRL]

1908. Line extended from Mohawk south to Calumet Jct.

1918. Line abandoned north of Phoenix, including the Lac La Belle branch. [MRL]

1918. Remaining line sold to the C&H mining company. [MRL]

1964. June 30. The ICC authorizes abandonment of 33% of the Copper Range railroad system, including Lake Linden Junction to Calumet, Calumet Junction to Nichols and discontinuance of operation of the leased Keweenaw Central from Nichols to Fulton. [CRR]

 

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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