Timetable: MCRR - Grand Rapids Branch - Jackson to Grand Rapids

The Grand Rapids branch was built as the Grand River Valley railroad and then leased by the MC. This route shared its line from Jackson to Rives Junction with the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw railroad which also became a MC branch line about the same time. Station times and passing tracks from 1897.

Key: BB=Bascule Bridge | C=Coal | CS=Car Shop | D=Open > Day | DN=Open Day and night | DS=Dispatcher | DT=Double Main Track | EH=Enginehouse | F=Diesel Fuel | HI=Half Interlocked Crossing | I=Interlocked Crossing | J=Junction | LB=Liftbridge | N=Open at night | P=Passing Track w/40' car capacity | Q=Quarry | RH=Roundhouse # stalls | RT=Railroad Resort | S=Scales | SB=Swingbridge | T=Turntable | TC=Telegraph call | W=Water | X=Crossing | Y=Wye | Yard=Yard

Notes

[REF] = [MRL]

Time Line

1871. The MC operates three trains daily between Jackson and Grand Rapids, returning. Trains leave Jackson at 4:00 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 5:10 p.m., arriving at 11:30 a.m., 4:45 p.m. and 9:35 p.m. respectively. [MCGW]

1879. The Grand Rapids Division of the MCRR shows a fall of over 300 feet between Jackson and Grand Rapids. [DFP-1879-0216]

1880. Passenger agent Warren of the MCRR gives notice that the through sleeping car from Detroit to Grand Rapids on the MC, the Pacific Express, leaves Detroit at 9:50 p.m. arriving at Grand Rapids at 7:50 a.m. next morning. The through sleeper leaves Grand Rapids at 6 p.m. arriving at Detroit at 4 a.m. daily. Passengers can remain in this car at Detroit until 7 a.m. [DFP-1880-1107]

1960's. Automatic Block Signals. For a number of years the Michigan Central railroad utilized automatic block signals from Pearl Street in Jackson north to Rives Junction.  [MC ETT 1947]. The ABS system was discontinued and removed by the early 1960's.