Hilsdale branch, ypsi to Pittsfield junction

[YpsiAmtrakBoy]

Does anyone have information on the Hilsdale branches origional allinement and how many trains that it used to see in a day?

[AARR]

Any particfular year you are looking for?

[ns8401]

Branch was cut back from Hillsdale to Manchester in the 50's, and back to Bridgewater in 1960 or 61. It was cut back to Saline in 1969. It was also abandoned from Ypsi to 1/2 Mile east or Morgan road in 1969. NYC and later PC would run two trains a day to the Ford plant for auto parts service, they also brought reefers to a track just east of the Ford plant. It was a once or twice a week movement before that and train length would vary by season. In the spring lots of farm tractors would go to Bridgewater. Grain would come east in the fall in sizable amounts. Power was no more than one or two SW7's or SW9's. Maybe a GP7 or GP9 occasionally but this was usually considered too heavy and not good for the track. At both Packard Road and Washtenaw Avenue there were cantilever signals installed in 1969 and panal track was laying at Packard for a rebuilt crossing. When the PC pulled the plug in 1969 in favor of the Penn Road controlled Ann Arbor servicing the track from Pittsfield junction, bridges over US-23 and I-94 were killed as well. All the way till the end the crossings were at grade. Hope this helps and feel free to ask other questions if you have them.

[Ben Higdon]

This AA bulletin from 1-1-72 refers to the "new" connection to the purchased PC track:
http://www.trainweb.org/annarbor/Bulletins/Bulletins_1-1-1972.htm

Although I suppose its possible the info had appeared in bulletins since 1969.

If you're looking for the exact alignment, you could follow it on bing maps fairly well. The line of tall power line poles that cross Carpenter, Ellsworth and Platt near the intersection of I94 and 23 were built on the ROW.

[TrainWatcher]

Wow, now theres one branch I never knew existed.

[AARR]

This AA bulletin from 1-1-72 refers to the "new" connection to the purchased PC track:
http://www.trainweb.org/annarbor/Bulletins/Bulletins_1-1-1972.htm

Although I suppose its possible the info had appeared in bulletins since 1969.

I thought the Pittsfield connection was built in 1969 so PC would avoid crossing US23. I know AA started switching the plant in 1969. But, if the connection was not built until 1972 then AA would have to use PC track from Ypsilanti to Ann Arbor and I do not recall them ever doing that. So, I am pretty sure the connection was built in 69. (although you have me second guessing a wee-bit what I think I remember)

[ns8401]

This AA bulletin from 1-1-72 refers to the "new" connection to the purchased PC track:
http://www.trainweb.org/annarbor/Bulletins/Bulletins_1-1-1972.htm

Although I suppose its possible the info had appeared in bulletins since 1969.

I thought the Pittsfield connection was built in 1969 so PC would avoid crossing US23. I know AA started switching the plant in 1969. But, if the connection was not built until 1972 then AA would have to use PC track from Ypsilanti to Ann Arbor and I do not recall them ever doing that. So, I am pretty sure the connection was built in 69. (although you have me second guessing a wee-bit what I think I remember)

It was 1969 with track removed by early 1970.

[YpsiAmtrakBoy]

For year? How about it's busiest?

[YpsiAmtrakBoy]

And also does Anyone know where there might be an exact map of the line?

[AARR]

For year? How about it's busiest?

ns8401 covered this in very good detail. Late 1960's when PC made two rounds trips per day between Ypsilanti and Saline and service as needed (1-3x per week perhaps?) west of Saline.

[Michael]

And also does Anyone know where there might be an exact map of the line?

USGS Topo maps are so old they have the line shown.
There are several places to get the maps free online.

[railohio]

And also does Anyone know where there might be an exact map of the line?

http://www.karensbooks.com/store/produc ... uctID=7266

[Clay320]

http://www.michiganrailroads.com/RRHX/Maps/Railroad/DetroitHillsdale&SouthwesternRRMap1916.htm

Detroit Hillsdale and Southwestern Railroad. Ypsilanti to Hillsdale, 1916.
Not an exact map, but good none the less.

[MRC_Andrew]

Using Google Earth, it's fairly easy to follow the remains of the right of way when comparing the satellite image with the 1916 map linked above. The line seems to have been obliterated in some places by farmland, though, and possibly a lake! I honestly don't know how much is actually visible on the ground, but from high above the earth, it's quite obvious in places...

[J T]

:shock: Wow, now theres one branch I never knew existed.

I worked I Ypsi back near the turn of the century and often spent a little time trying to follow that old ROW out of town. I think at the time I discovered it on my DeLorme map. What I always found intriguing is that there is a hump on Washtenaw Ave. where the grade crossing used to be. It just seemed like something that would have been leveled out considering how long ago the line was removed.

[ns8401]

:shock: Wow, now theres one branch I never knew existed.

I worked I Ypsi back near the turn of the century and often spent a little time trying to follow that old ROW out of town. I think at the time I discovered it on my DeLorme map. What I always found intriguing is that there is a hump on Washtenaw Ave. where the grade crossing used to be. It just seemed like something that would have been leveled out considering how long ago the line was removed.

That part of Washtenaw hasn't been resurfaced since they widened the road in the early 60's hence the hump, trust concrete, costs more lasts longer.

[YpsiAmtrakBoy]

tried following the route on the current map but got lost in a subdivision

[ns8401]

tried following the route on the current map but got lost in a subdivision

The line ran on a straight angle... no curves, go back to the begining of the subdivison and stick to the angle...

[Michael]

Follow the ROW a little west of Saline and you will see this
http://g.co/maps/8v96f

[MRC_Andrew]

tried following the route on the current map but got lost in a subdivision

I found it difficult at first, but realized that if I could locate the towns the line went through (as indicated by the 1916 map) on the Google Earth satellite image, it was fairly easy to see the right of way. Study the angle and curvature of the line on the 1916 map, too. A few spots really jump out on the satellite image...