Michigan Air Line Railroad
| Company type | Railroad company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Founded | 1868 |
| Defunct | 1916 |
| Fate | Merged into Michigan Central Railroad |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | Michigan, Indiana |
The Michigan Air Line Railroad was an American rail company established in 1868, responsible for building a route connecting Jackson, Michigan and South Bend, Indiana. In 1871, the Michigan Central Railroad leased this line, and it was fully integrated into Michigan Central by 1916. Additionally, the company developed a short segment between Romeo, Michigan and Richmond, Michigan, which later became part of the Michigan Air Line Railway, a forerunner to the Grand Trunk Western Railroad.
History
In 1867 and 1868, the Grand Trunk Railway of Michigan and the Grand Trunk Railway of Northern Indiana were chartered with the purpose of constructing a rail link from Richmond, Michigan to Chicago. These two entities merged on July 2, 1868, resulting in the formation of the Michigan Air Line Railroad. The railroad completed a 14.2-mile stretch between Romeo, Michigan and Richmond (then known as Ridgeway) in 1869. Motivated by support from the Michigan Central Railroad, construction began on the segment connecting Jackson, Michigan to South Bend, Indiana. Concurrently, investors established another Michigan Air Line Railroad in Illinois, which merged with the Chicago and Canada Southern Railway in 1871.
By mid-1870, the initial 24 miles from Jackson to Homer, Michigan were finished; by autumn, the line extended to Three Rivers, Michigan, and by February 1871 reached Niles, Michigan. At that stage, the Michigan Central assumed a lease of the company. The branch leading to South Bend commenced operations in 1872 utilizing the former St. Joseph Valley Railroad pathway.
In 1872, the Romeo–Richmond segment was leased to the St. Clair River, Pontiac and Jackson Railroad, which eventually formed the foundation of the Michigan Air Line Railway under Grand Trunk Western control. The Michigan Air Line Railroad ceased independent operations when it merged into Michigan Central in 1916.
Route
During its tenure under Michigan Central and later New York Central ownership, the track from Jackson to Niles was designated as the Air Line branch, while the stretch from Niles to South Bend was known as the South Bend branch. Both routes have since been discontinued.