Timetable: Detroit Belt Line (Belt Line Jct. to Transit Railway Jct.)

This single track industrial line was built by the Detroit & Bay City Railroad and later became part of the Michigan Central. It serves the industrial east side of Detroit and parts of it continue to exist.

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

* = track still exists as of 2024. Others abandoned/removed.

References = [MILB]

Notes

The Belt Line left the MC's Belt Line Yard northeast of Milwaukee Jct. and immediately crossed the Chicago, Grand Trunk & Detroit main line, which was originally a single track. Over the years, the GT installed a multi-track yard here and the interlocker was expanded. There were at least two different towers here and the interlocking was modified many times.

The MC's Detroit Belt line was often used in the 1890's to tour visiting dignitaries through Detroit's growing industrial district. An American Banking Association was one example of leaders taking special trains from 3rd Street station to Beaufait Station on the belt. These trips usually included carriage rides on Belle Isle.

The MC Belt Line extension connected with the Belt Line just north of East Grand Boulevard and extended due north to the MC North Yard. It crossed the GT at Forest Lawn interlocking. It also made a direct connection with the Detroit Terminal Railroad which was built about 1910.

Time Line

1888. A delegation of property owners, empowered with a Detroit Common Council resolution, appealed to the State Board of Railroad Commissioners to require the MC to put their new Belt Line in a depressed viaduct under Jefferson Avenue and Wight Street. The MC cited the expense of doing this and questioned whether the Commission had the authority to regulate the profile of a railroad line. After an Executive Session, the Board accepted the railroad's plan of the road but requiring a bridge subject to the Commission's approval. An underpass was built by the railroad to connect with the Detroit Transit Railroad and other industries. [DFP-1888-0405]

1889. A new time card will go into effect on the MC Belt Line. Trains leaving Detroit station at 5:30 am and 5:25 pm and trains leaving Beaufait station at 5:30 am and 11:00 am and 5:20 pm will run as heretofore. The train leaving Detroit station at 12:15 pm will hereafter leave at 1:00 pm. The change is made to give patrons of the line more time between stations for the transaction of business and for those who desire to do so, to go to their homes for dinner. Two new trains will also be added to this service. One to leave Detroit station and one to leave Beaufait station at 7:45 am. These new trains should be of great convenience to business men located on the line to go between stations on business, to leave their homes at more convenient hours for business, also for families who want to go to Belle Isle Park to spend the day. A new schedule will be published. [DFP-1889-0804]

1890. The Michigan Central will put a Sunday Service on the Belt Line, commencing Sunday, June 29. Five trains will be run between the Third street depot and Beaufait station, only one block from the Belle Isle bridge. The trains will leave the Third street depot at 9 and 11 a.m. and 1, 4 and 6 p.m. Returning they will leave Beaufait station at 10 a.m., 12 noon, and 3, 5 and 7 p.m. These trains will afford people an opportunity to visit the island for five cents each way, and lose very little time in making the trip. [DFP-1890-0621]

1890. June. The MC will run five Sunday trains between Third Street station and Beaufait station. This will give people living in the western and northern part of Detroit a quick and convenient way to visit Belle Isle park to spend the day or afternoon. Fare is only 5 cents each way. Train lands passengers within one block of the Park bridge. [DFP-189-0626]

1892. August. The MC Belt Line will run trains between Beaufait station to the Exposition grounds (near Zug Island) stopping at all stations. DFP-1892-0824]

1893. After Sunday August 13, all passenger trains on the Michigan Central Belt Line will be discontinued until further notice. [DFP-1893-0813]

1897. A car load of charcoal standing on the MC Belt Line between St. Paul and Champlain streets caught fire at 12:54 o'clock yesterday and was partly consumed. It was consigned to the Gaylord Iron Company. The amount of damage was small. [DFP-1897-1101]

1944. Trains on the Belt Line were essentially limited to 12 mph due to multiple highway crossing limitations. The East Grand Blvd. crossing was limited to 6 mph. [ETT]