Grand Rapids & Indiana
The original line ran from Richmond In. to Mackinaw City, where they interchanged with the DSS&A (Soo Line) via the Chief Wawatam carferry.
The GR&I was eventually absorbed by the Pennsylvania Railroad. Noted for their vacation passenger service, the last of which ran in 1961.
Traffic was reduced by the Penn Central merger, as they now had access to Mackinaw City via the former NYC route.
This line was not included in the formation of Conrail, and was subsidized by the State of Michigan, with Michigan Northern operating the
portion from Grand Rapids to Mackinaw City. Portions of the tracks have been removed, some of it is a State Park.
The remaining rails are operated by the Great Lakes Central (Tuscola & Saginaw Bay)
Existing GR&I Passenger Stations
Alanson
8/6/01 (antiques)
Alanson
7/13/02 (restaurant)
Big Rapids
5/27/01 (vacant)
Harbor Springs
7/21/02 (retail)
Howard City
5/27/01 (vacant)
Howard City 6/1/02 (vacant)
Kalamazoo (restoration) photo
ŠAlan Loftis
Kalkaska 7/11/02 (museum)
Mackinaw City 8/12/01 (restaurant)
Mackinaw
Crossings
Mancelona
8/9/01 (offices)
Muskegon 1992
Pellston 8/6/01 (antiques)
Petoskey 8/9/01 (Penn Plaza)
Vicksburg 9/21/03 (museum)
Vicksburg Depot Website
Bridges
GRI Bridge
Chilsdale(Rockford), MI 07/02/02 photo ŠTim Shanahan
GR&I Bridge Grand Rapids, MI
05/30/02 photo ŠTim Shanahan
Links
Wikipedia: Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad
GR&I Railroad Culvert Michigan Historical Marker information
Map showing the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad
GR & I Railroad Brought Travelers North in 1855 A Look at History: Golden Age of Railroading By Frank Straus
Tracking Railroads: Since 1900, number of local lines reduced from five to two
Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society
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08/11/09