Location: Grand Rapids, MI - Watson Street Tower

Identified in a telegraphers labor agreement [PMTL], this was a leverman tower and was on the west side of the Grand River, just south of West Fulton Street. It appears to be the crossing of the PM line north to Baldwin and the Michigan Railway 3rd-rail interurban line. The tower was staffed 24/7 in 1927 by the PM. Leverman/Operators were paid 55¢ per hour here in 1927.

When the interurban line was discontinued, the line and tower were taken over by the MCRR for freight switching.


Notes


Time Line

1931. The MPUC approves the discontinuance of the interlocking plant at this crossing to be replaced by gates, as the MC only uses the line for occasional switching moves. [MPUC-1931]

Bibliography

The following sources are utilized in this website. [SOURCE-YEAR-MMDD-PG]:

  • [AAB| = All Aboard!, by Willis Dunbar, Eerdmans Publishing, Grand Rapids ©1969.
  • [AAN] = Alpena Argus newspaper.
  • [AARQJ] = American Association of Railroads Quiz Jr. pamphlet. © 1956
  • [AATHA] = Ann Arbor Railroad Technical and Historical Association newsletter "The Double A"
  • [AB] = Information provided at Michigan History Conference from Andrew Bailey, Port Huron, MI

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