Timetable: Wabash Railroad - Main Line 3rd District - Detroit to Montpelier

The Wabash 3rd District extends from Detroit to Montpelier. From Detroit (FSUD) to Delray is on the Union Belt of Detroit. Passing siding capacity as of 1941.

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

Notes

The interlocking at Raisin Center is automatically operated.

The West Detroit branch was used to connect the GT (and later the Wabash owned Clover Leaf) with the Detroit & Toledo Shore Line (originally jointly owned by the GT and the CL).

Time Line

1881. March. The managers of the Butler Road are pushing matters in every possible way so as to be ready for business as fast as it comes. At Milwaukee Junction they have completed and ready for use the round-house, coal bins, etc., and today they will put a large force of men at work on the depot buildings at Willis Station, 26 miles from Detroit. [DFP-1881-0315]

1881. The telegraph line between Detroit and Butler was tested yesterday and messages sent the entire length, but as yet there are no intermediate offices. For the present, the instruments attached to the Detroit terminus will be worked from Vice President G.W. Balch's office. [DFP-1881-0712]

1893. May 6. The Wabash main line between Detroit and Romulus is double tracked. It is being contemplated for use by the Pennsylvania railroad to reach Detroit. [DFP-1893-0506]

1893. The River Rouge bridge is replaced with a new swing drawbridge due to widening of the river. The Wabash line north of here is re-routed to a new alignment, meeting the F&PM at Dearborn Avenue. The former Wabash main line is relegated to an industrial branch line to serve the Michigan Carbon works. The small junction crossing of the LS&MS and MC at Dearborn avenue is removed, and replaced by a full crossing called Delray (Tower). [GTWHS-2020-Sum]

1897. The Wabash makes an alliance with the Grand Trunk Railway of Canada to reach Canada by way of the GT car ferries near Brush Street station. The Wabash builds a new line from Delray to West Detroit and then uses trackage rights to reach via D&M Junction and the Brush Street station area. The connection to D&M junction left the line at Beaubien. [TSD] After 1912, the Wabash later used its own car ferries from a boat yard near FSUD.

1902. A second main line has been added between Detroit and Oakwood yards for the purpose of facilitating the movements of trains between these two points. [MCR-1903]

1912.  December. AUTOMATIC BLOCK SIGNALS ON THE WABASH. The Wabash began work during the latter part of November on the installation of 45 miles of double track automatic block signals on its line between Milan and Delray, Mich, and between Milan and Britton, Mich. This covers the new double track, part of which is now in service. The Union Switch & Signal Co.’s Style “S” signals are to be used throughout the installation except at the interlocking plants at Oakwood, Romulus, Milan and Britton, where the Style “T” signals will be employed. The installation will be direct current, the signals operating on primary battery of the Gordon type. The interlocking plants will be equipped with indicators and annunciators and route locking, with back locks on the distant signals. The automatic signal work will be done by the Wabash's forces under the supervision of L. Parnell, general foreman. The interlocking work now under way comprises the reconstruction of the interlocking plant at Milan, Mich, which will result in the installation of a Union Style “S” electro-mechanical machine. [TSE-12/1912]

1916. The railroad has automatic signals between Milan and Detroit. [MCFR-1916]

1925. The Wabash plans to install 52 new automatic block signals between Montpelier and Adrian. [RSC-1925] An additional entry in 1926 says that 4 semaphore US&S T2 D.C. signals ere installed between Milan and Britton.

1964. Stations open 24-7 ("DN") were Oakwood Dix Avenue; Romulus,. Milan, and Montpelier. Adrian Tower was open on two shifts and Belleville and Alvordton were open days. [ETT-1964]

1964. This line had two passenger trains in each direction. Leaving Detroit at 7:00 am and 9:10 pm. Leaving Fort Wayne at 2;00 am and 4:38 pm, arriving Detroit at 6:35 am and 8:35 pm respectively. Passenger trains permitted to 78 mph on this line. Freight trains 60 mph. [ETT-1964]