Other Photographs:

• Photo:   The Beeliner heads north through M.A.L. Junction enroute to Grand Rapids, 1950.

• Photo:  2684 pulls a eastbound freight north of MC Junction near Jackson, in the 1940's.

Other Information:

Above, the interlocking tower at M.A.L. Junction, north of Jackson.  "MAL" was the Michigan Central's name for the junction and it stood for "Michigan Air Line Junction".  The Michigan Air Line was the builder of the branch line, which was turned over to the Grand Trunk Western immediately upon completion.  The Grand Trunk Western refered to the junction as Michigan Central (or "MC") crossing.  The steam powered passenger train is heading south towards downtown Jackson and is a Michigan Railroad Club excursion train.  The photo was taken on October 19, 1968.  [Doug Leffler Collection]  Below, another photograph of MAL looking north.  [Doug Leffler]

GTW 4542 west stops for instructions at the tower, before heading into Jackson.  Below, the caboose brings up the end of the short train.  March, 1974.  [Doug Leffler photos]

Above, another photograph of MAL (Michigan Air Line) tower north of Jackson in 1963.  At this time, the tower was boarded up, but still in use.  When the GTW's Jackson Turn arrived or departed Jackson, the Jackson station agent would drive to the tower and throw the levers of the interlocking to let the train cross over the NYC Grand Rapids Branch.  [Doug Leffler]  Below, a view of the crossing shortly after the GTW was pulled up. September, 1975   [Jim Sinclair]