Time Line - 1933

Last Year | Next Year

• Depression continues.

• Railroads collectively operate at a financial deficit. [STOV]

• January 8: Arrangements are made with the Mineral Range Railroad (DSS&A) to operate jointly between Hancock and Calumet, with a joint agency in Calumet. This continues for a short time until May 15, 1934 when the roads resume using separate lines. [CRH]

• April 2: The Pennsylvania and Wabash Railroads inaugurate new fast, through passenger trains from Chicago to Detroit via Ft, Wayne, IN. The trains are given a running time of 4 hours, 45 minutes. [MDOT]

• July 1: The T&W ends passenger service to Pioneer, Ohio. [EMR4]

• July 17: Grand Trunk moves car ferry operations from Grand Haven to Muskegon, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Railroad. Until this time, a carferry had not called Muskegon home since the Pere Marquette left in 1906. [GTWHS-5/1997/MDOT] Note: MDOT shows date as September.

• August 4: The DT&I removes their eastbound diamond at Carelton, leaving one track to cross the PM at that location. [MSAI]

• September 1: Type AB air brakes are now required on all cars built. [SAM]

• September 1: T&W ends passenger service to Adrian.  (Note:  The Blissfield newspaper suggests an earlier date). [EMR4]

  September 17: The Grand Trunk Western moves their Lake Michigan railroad car ferry terminal from Grand Haven to Muskegon. [MT]

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• Pere Marquette RR abandons line from Mears to Pentwater, 7.37 miles. [PMHS/COHS-8/1997]

• Pere Marquette RR abandons line from Otter Lake to Otisville, 4.23 miles. [PMHS/COHS-8/1997]

• Pere Marquette RR abandons line from Port Austin to Grindstone City. [PMHS]

• Pere Marquette RR abandons line from Haynor to Stanton, 19.46 miles, and from Stanton to Stanton Jct.[I&L][PMHS/COHS-8/1997]

• The former DT&M, between Marshall and Dundee is abandoned. [Adrian Daily Telegram, 6/26/1975]

• The Michigan Central abandons 5.2 miles of the Michigan Air Line Branch, from Air Line Jct. westward to Niles. [GB]

• The MC removes the line between Mount Forrest and Bentley, in Bay/Arenac Counties. [GM]

• Pere Marquette ferry service between Port Huron and Sarnia ends. [AB]

• The Copper Range Railroad water tank at Redridge Jct. is retired from operation.[CRH]

• The coded track circuit is developed by the Union Switch & Signal Company. Similiar to the automatic block system, the circuit uses pulses instead of steady state current flow. [SAM]

• Billboard reefers are outlawed as a violation of anti-trust laws. By 1938, they are virtually gone. [SAM]

• Type "E" or "F" couplers are required on all new rail cars. [SAM]

 Time line Key:

• Railroad event in Michigan
• Event relating to mining
• Event related to car ferries
• Event outside of Michigan
• Improvement in Technology
• Railroad built or extended
• Railroad abandoned and/or removed
• Economic panic or depression