The Owosso Argus-Press Jan. 7, 1927
Puts Connecting Track at Milan Into Service, Announced
The Ann Arbor railroad company has announced overnight service on merchandise LCL freight service between Owosso and Detroit, also fast freight service between Toledo, Owosso, Cadillac and Frankfort, connecting points in the Northwest and Pacific coast.
During the past summer a new connection track 1,300 feet long was constructed by the the Ann Arbor at Milan, making it possible to establish overnight service between Owosso and Detroit by linking up the rails of the Ann Arbor with those of the Wabash system. Straightway connections are thus established between Frankfort and Detroit through Owosso. The connection accomplishes direct freight service on the Ann Arbor and eliminates the delay caused by the necessity of setting out cars by the Ann Arbor and then the pick-up by the Wabash.
The new service is expected to be of great service to Owosso shippers who are to be benefited by quick service.
The Toledo News-Bee Jan. 8, 1927
START PLANT SOON
Construction on Linde Air Products Branch About Ready
Work on the plant for the Toledo branch of the Linde Air Products corporation of New York, at Buckeye st and the Ann Arbor railroad, will be begun within a few days. Consideration of the bids from Toledo contractors was begun Saturday.
At the Toledo branch the Linde company will produce carbon, carbide, oxygen and other chemicals for use principally in the glass industry. The plant will cost about $160,000.
The Toledo News-Bee Jan. 17, 1927
ANSWER 23 ALARMS
Firemen Kept Busy in Series of Fires Saturday and Sunday.
A string of empty box cars on a side track for repairs at the Ann Arbor railroad switch, Manhattan blvd, caught fire Sunday morning. The cause was not determined. It is supposed, however, that it was started by tramps. Damaged was not reported by railroad officials.
The Owosso Argus-Press July 2, 1927
The new schedule of the Ann Arbor railroad, which takes effect tomorrow, shows only one change affecting the traveling public. This is in No. 54 which will run daily, including Sunday, between Mt. Pleasant and Toledo, arriving at Owosso at 7:50 a. m. and leaving at 8 a. am., railroad time.
This change makes possible improved connections at Toledo for all points east and south on the Big Four, Baltimore, Ohio, and Hocking Valley.
All other trains on the road run the same as on the former schedule.
In re: Inspection and approval of the Interlocking Plant at the crossing of the Ann Arbor and Pennsylvania Railroads at Cadillac. 943-54. May 31, 1927.
Notice having been received that the interlocking plant constructed according to plans approved by this Commission at the crossing of the tracks of the Ann Arbor and Pennsylvania Railroads at Cadillac had been completed and it was desired that the same be approved for use;
An inspection of this said plant having been made by a representative of this Department, at which time representatives of the Ann Arbor and Pennsylvania Railroad Companies were present, and this Commission is advised in the report of said inspection that said plant has been constructed according to plans approved by this Commission and that the same protects all conflicting routes, and, it is recommended that said plant be approved for immediate use; -
The Commission, after due consideration of this matter, has concluded that the said interlocking plant, constructed at the crossing of the Ann º and Pennsylvania Railroads in the City of Cadillac, be approved or use ;
THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, By the Michigan Public Utilities Commission, that:- -
The interlocking plant, as now constructed at the crossing of the Ann Arbor and Pennsylvania Railroads at Cadillac, be and the same is hereby approved for immediate use, subject to the following conditions, to-wit:
That all engines and trains on both of the above described railroads approach the signals governing movements over said crossing under control and when said signals are set clear, or in proceed position, may pass over the said crossing at a rate of speed not to exceed twenty (20) miles per hour for freight trains and thirty (30) miles per hour for passenger trains;
AND, IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, If, at any time, said interlocking plant shall become inoperative, that the signals on both of the above named railroads be set to “DANGER'', or in stop position, and a watchman stationed at said crossing, whose duty it shall be to signal engines and trains on both of the above described railroads to proceed over said crossing, after such engines and trains have been brought to a stop in advance of the home signals, MICHIGAN PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION.
In the matter of the application of the Grand Trunk Railway System for the approval of Grand Trunk Railway System Plans No. W-1052 show ing the proposed change in signals at the crossing of the Ann Arbor Railroad, The Michigan Central Railroad and the Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee Railway at Owosso. 943-84. July 8, 1927.
Application having been filed by W. L. Dayton, Superintendent of Signals of the Grand Trunk Railway System, for the approval of Grand Trunk Railway System Plans No. W-1052, showing the proposed changes in the signals at the crossing of the Michigan Central, Ann Arbor and Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee Railroads at Owosso, from the present protection to color light signals. The Commission after due consideration of said application, together with said plans having been approved by the Signal Engineer of the Michigan Central and Grand Trunk Railroads, and the Engineer of Maintenance of Way of the Ann Arbor Railroad, has concluded that the changes as outlined on said plan will prove more beneficial and give greater protection to the movements of engines and trains over the crossing of the Michigan Central, Ann Arbor, and Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee Railroads than now maintained. THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, That the Grand Trunk Railway System Plans No. W-1052 showing color light signals at the crossing of the Michigan Central, Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee and Ann Arbor Railroads, at Owosso, be and the same is hereby approved; and one copy of said plans ordered placed on file in the office of the Commission as file No. 943-84. MICHIGAN IPUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION.
In the matter of the application of F. J. Bishop, Engineer, Maintenance of Way, Ann Arbor Railroad Company, for permission to substitute flashlight signals for the watchman now maintained at the Summit Street Crossing of their tracks in the City of Ann Arbor. 670. July 11, 1927 In the matter of the application of F. J. Bishop, Engineer, Maintenance of Way, Ann Arbor Railroad Company, for permission to substitute flashlight signals for the watchman now maintained at the Summit Street Crossing of their tracks in the City of Ann Arbor. 670. July 11, 1927 In the matter of the application of F. J. Bishop, Engineer, Maintenance of Way, Ann Arbor Railroad Company, for permission to substitute flashlight signals for the watchman now maintained at the Summit Street Crossing of their tracks in the City of Ann Arbor. 670. July 11, 1927
An inspection of the premises in question having been made by Rail road Inspector Hughes of this Department, at which time the City of Ann Arbor was represented and Mr. Bishop present in regard to said matter; The Commission after due consideration of the information contained in the report of such inspection, has concluded that permission be granted for such substitution, provided, that the flashing light signals be placed on both sides of the tracks of the railroad and in the center of the street, and that two extra flashing light signals be maintained on the west standard supporting the flashing light signals in the center of Summit Street, one of such signals to face the traffic on the private drive and the other on Hiscock Street, which private drive and Hiscock Street inter sects Summit Street at said crossing: THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, That permission be, and the same is hereby granted to the Ann Arbor Railroad to substitute track circuit flashing light signals in lieu of the watchman now maintained at the Summit Street crossing of the tracks of its railroad in Ann Arbor, subject to the following conditions, to-wit:—
Flashing light signals to be placed on each side of your tracks in the center of the street facing the current of traffic, the west signal to be equipped with two extra pair of flashing light signals facing the current of traffic on the private drive and Hiscock Street which intersects Sum mit Street at said crossing; said signals to be equipped with daylight lenses not less than six and three-eighths (6%) inches in diameter, with a range on tangent on a clear day with bright sunlight of not less than three hundred (300) feet; flashing lights to be maintained at a height of not less than six (6) feet, nor more than nine (9) feet above the surface of the highway, supported on standards securely fastened in concrete pedestals not less than two (2) feet above the surface of the highway and not more than four (4) feet wide at the widest point, and not less than six (6) feet in length parallel to the highway, with rounded corners; such standards to be equipped with red marker lights located not less than four (4) feet nor more than six (6) feet above the surface of the highway to advise traffic of the location of such pedestals; each of said standards to be equipped with a railroad crossing sign of cross buck type with the words “Railroad Crossing” painted thereon with letters painted black on white background, not less than five (5) inches in height with a stroke of one (1) : inch on each letter; said signs to be maintained at a height of not less than nine (9) feet nor more than twelve (12) feet from the center of the sign to the surface of the high way: the standards and pedestals to be striped diagonally in black and white. The track circuits to be of such length as will actuate the flash ing lights on the approach of a train and for not less than twenty (20) seconds nor more than thirty (30) seconds before the arrival of the fastest train operating over said crossing:
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, That if at any time said signals shall become inoperative or cease to work that you immediately station a flagman at said crossing to warn traffic of the approach of engines and trains, until such signals are restored to working order;
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, That after said signals are placed in service that you discontinue the watchman now maintained :
It IS FURTHER ORDERED, That in case of any switch movements over said crossing, you require one of the train crew to guard the same, advising traffic in advance of said movements. MICHIGAN PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
The Owosso Argus-Press July 29, 1927
The Hartford Fire Insurance Company has started suit against the Ann Arbor Railroad Company for $156.60, the amount of a claim paid to J. D. Skinner for the lose of four hog and one calf killed from two carloads of stock shipped by Skinner from Byron to Detroit over the Ann Arbor lines in June, 1925. The animals were killed while in the custody of the road, claims the insurance company, which seeks to collect the amount it paid Skinner.
The Owosso Argus-Press June 30, 1927 {parts not readable}
WABASH PLANS NO EXPASION HERE AT PRESENT, LEARNED
President Taussig Says Ann Arbor Fa es to be Improved Ra ply, However
OFFICIAL IN WRECK
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shortly after the mishap could clear it up.
In making his statement that the Wabash has no plans for expansion of the local yards ready as yet, Mr. Taussig briefly explained that it was the policy of the company to first put the system in the best of condition as regarding the facilities of service. This is in line with the announcement made at the first of the year when it was started by G. H. Side, of Toledo, general manager of the Ann Arbor, that a railroad must have rails and road beds and engines and trains to expand its business as the first essential. It was said that the Ann Arbor has yet quite a little left to do along the line of improving this part of its equipment before it can take up fully a program of rebuilding the Owosso yards.
Partially divulged features of the plan contemplated by the company involves the probable expenditure of a million dollars in rebuilding the shops here within the next five years. These improvements must start, it was stated, by the building of more track and otherwise partial beginning of its general program of the reconstruction of the yards and shops. Mr. Taussig did not have time time to discuss any features of the contemplated plans, but it is understood that certain important matters must be ironed out, along with the improvements to be made along the lines, before it it will be possible to concentrate attention on the rebuilding program.
It has been explained, in connection with the expansion program, that while the Ann Arbor is a subsidiary of the Wabash, it must stand upon its own feet as regards finances.
New Ferry in Service
The new carferry put into service across Lake Michigan the first of the week was launched in the dry dock of the Toledo Shipbuilding Company, March 19, and it is the largest afloat on the Great Lakes. It is the flagship of the fleet of six now in the Ann Arbor railroad's service. The 380-foot ship was built at a cost of $300,000, to bear freight and passengers from Frankfort across Lake Michigan to Manitowoc, Wis., Menominee, Manistique, and Kewaunee.
The officials of the road were passengers on the boat from Toledo on its cruise around the Lower Peninsula by the way of the Straits of Mackinaw. The first stop was at Menominee, then Manistique and Frankfort. From Frankfort the party rode the boat to Charlevoix and back to Frankfort where it was put into regular service. The party was met there by the Wabash special. The Owosso members of the party left the train here, the others going on to Milan where the party was disbanded and the train sent on.
Those in the party were: J. E. Taussig, president of the Wabash and Ann Arbor; G. H. Side, general manager of the Ann Arbor; J. W. Newell, of St. Louis, vice president of the Wabash and Ann Arbor; S. E. Cotter, of St. Louis, vice president and general manager of the Wabash; T. M. Hayes, of St. Louis, assistant to President Taussig; M. E. Bernet, of St. Louis, general advertising agent of the Wabash, and the following from the Owosso headquarters of the Ann Arbor: Victor Parvin, superintended; James Butler, master mechanic, and F. J. Bishop, engineer of maintenance of ways, of the Ann Arbor road.
The new ship is equipped with modern cabins for passenger accommodations. It has large dining rooms, observation and smoking rooms, and in every respect is a duplicate of the larger passenger passenger boats operating on the Great Lakes. It is constructed of enable tourists to transport their automobiles, a deck being set aside for this purpose. Radio keeps the ship in touch with land points at all times.
An Ice Crusher
The Wabash, like other boats constructed by the company in recent years, is designed, it was stated, to serve as an ice crusher, thus making it possible for the company to give service throughout the winter months. The forward part of the new boat is specially designed to keep the paths of transportation open during the severest weather. Reinforced bottoms make it possible for these ships to withstand the shock of meeting heavy ice. One of the ships of the company last winter opened a path through Sturgeon Bay and Green Bay to Menominee, when ice 30 inches thick was broken through.
The propelling power of the new boat is provided by two vertical triple expansion engines of 1,500 horsepower, and steam is supplied with four Scotch marine boiler at 135 pounds working steam pressure.
R. H. Reynolds, marine superintendent of the Ann Arbor railroad, supervised the construction of the new ferry.
In the matter of the petition of Frank F. Rogers, State Highway Commissioner, for a separation of grades of State Trunk Line Highway No. 17 with the Ann Arbor Railroad. D-2218. November 14, 1927.
Frank F. Rogers, State Highway Commissioner of the State of Michigan, having filed a petition with this Commission, under Act No. 114 of the Public Acts of 1925, for a separation of grades where State Trunk Line Highway No. 17 crosses the tracks of the Ann Arbor Railroad Company with an outer belt line or cut-off, now known as State Line No. 111, carrying the through traffic over State Trunk Line Highway No. 17, which is the leading highway route from Detroit to Chicago, in accordance with maps and plans for said grade separation on file with this Commission, which said new route will cross the tracks and right of way of the said Ann Arbor Railroad Company a short distance south of Ferry Field, which intersection is just south and west of the present city limits of the City of Ann Arbor; and it appearing that part of said proposed highway will pass through a portion of the City of Ann Arbor, viz: from the center line of State Street to Golden Avenue, and that the entire route will be available for local traffic as a part of a plan for an outer belt line in and around the City; and said petition having been brought on for hearing before the Commission on the 24th day of August, 1926, at which hearing the State of Michigan and the said Ann Arbor Railroad Company were represented by counsel and other representatives; and proofs having been taken in this matter; and briefs having also been filed on the points of law involved; and it appearing to the Commission from said application and the documents and papers accompanying the same, and the testimony taken, that the State Highway Commissioner, who has jurisdiction over the construction of the proposed highway, desires to cross the tracks of the said railroad by means of an overhead grade separation, the easterly approach of which will reach into the City of Ann Arbor to a point a little east of White Street, involving of necessity a further overhead separation across State Street at which point the grade of the highway would be too high to cross that Street on a feasible level with its existing surface; and it also appearing that but for the fact that State Street is so close to the Ann Arbor railroad at this point, the easterly approach could be considerably shortened, but would still be partly within the City east of the center line of State Street, involving a portion of Rose Street, and also that if it were not for the railroad, the new highway could intersect the streets of the City of Ann Arbor at grade and thus avoid the necessity of an overhead highway at State Street; and it appearing further that the vehicular traffic over M-17, at Ann Arbor, is at all times very heavy, exceeding 6,000 automotive vehicles per day, and that the train passages over the Ann Arbor railroad at this point are about 12 per day; from all of which the Commission is of the opinion and finds that the dangers attending this crossing, if at a level grade, are hazardous to life and property carried both by the Railroad Company and the highway, and that public safety requires that the grades between the highway and the railroad be separated, and that public convenience would be properly served by such separation of grades.
IT is, THEREFORE, HEREBY ORDERED, That the said grades of said high way where it crosses said Ann Arbor railroad be separated, in accordance with the plans and specifications made and filed in this proceeding, by the State Highway Commissioner, and that the cost of that part of the separation project lying without the City of Ann Arbor, lying west of the west line of State Street shall be borne equally by the State of Michigan and the Ann Arbor Railroad Company, with the exception of the paving, and also excepting any portion of the structure within State Street which extends west of the westerly line of State Street. As to the cost of the remainder of the project, this order shall not apply for the reason that this Commission has no jurisdiction in this proceeding to order the apportionment of the same. MICHIGAN PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION.
In the matter of the application of F. J. Bishop, Engineer Maintenance of Way, Ann Arbor Railway Company, for permission to substitute flash light signals for the watchman now maintained at the Summit Street crossing of their tracks in the City of Ann Arbor. 670. November 21, 1927. In the matter of the application of F. J. Bishop, Engineer Maintenance of Way, Ann Arbor Railway Company, for permission to substitute flash light signals for the watchman now maintained at the Summit Street crossing of their tracks in the City of Ann Arbor. 670. November 21, 1927.
An order having been issued by this Commission July 11, 1927, granting permission for such substitution and requiring the placing of flash light signals in the center of the street on both sides of the track facing the current of traffic ;
The Commission is now advised that the center of the street installation on the east side of the tracks would not prove satisfactory, and it was desired that a further inspection be made, which inspection was made by Inspector Hughes in company with A. P. Gardner, Engineer Maintenance of Way of the Ann Arbor Railway Company, several of the Councilmen and City Engineer of Ann Arbor; at which time it was agreed to have the signal east of the tracks placed at the north curb line instead of in the center of the street. This was agreeable to all parties in interest; The Commission after due consideration of said matter has concluded that it is necessary to place the signal east of the crossing at the north curb line instead of in the center of the street; THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, That the order of this Commission issued July 11, 1927, be modified to read as follows: The west flash light signal to be placed in the center of the street facing the current of traffic; the east signal to be placed east of your tracks at the north curb line facing the current of traffic. The west signal to be supported on a standard securely fastened in concrete pedestal; the east signal to be supported on a standard securely fastened in concrete instead of the requirements as outlined in said order of July 11.
In all other respects the said order remains in full force and effect. MICHIGAN PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION.
In the matter of the application of the Ann Arbor Railroad Company for authority to discontinue its station at Temperance and re-open its station at Samaria. D-1969. November 25, 1927.
Petition in the above entitled matter having been filed with the Michigan Public Utilities Commission on June 17, 1924, and applicant having on July 17, 1924, requested permission to withdraw said petition, Now, THEREFORE IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, By the Michigan Public Utilities Commission that the petition filed in the matter on June 17, 1924, be and the same is hereby dismissed without prejudice to any party in interest. MICHIGAN PUBULIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
