Timetable: MCRR - Bridge Division - Slocum Junction to Stony Island

Prior to construction of the Michigan Central railroad tunnel in Detroit and reliable ferry service to Windsor, the MC used this across-the-river route to ferry cars across the Detroit River between Amherstburg, Ontario and Michigan's mainland. Going west from Canada, short blocks of cars used a railroad car ferry from Amherstburg to Stony Island, then across a bridge to Grosse Isle (near the Grosse Isle station), across the island and then across another swing bridge to Slocum Junction which was near present day Van Horn Road (Trenton).

Key: C=Coal | CS=Car Shop | D=Open > Day | DN=Open Day and night | DS=Dispatcher | DT=Double Main Track | EH=Engine house | F=Diesel Fuel | HI=Half Interlocked Crossing | I=Interlocked Crossing | J=Junction |  N=Open at night | P=Passing Track w/40' car capacity | Q=Quarry | RH=Round house # stalls | RT=Railroad Resort | S=Scales | SB=Swing bridge | T=Turntable | TC=Telegraph call | W=Water | X=Crossing | Y=Wye | Yard=Yard

Reference: Employee time table + [MRL] and other sources.

Notes

Time Line

1873. The line from Slocum Junction to Stony Island is built. [MRL]

1879. April 22. For the 36 hours ending 7:00 a.m. Monday, the Canada Southern steamer Transfer ferried 1,686 cars between Stony Island and Amherstburg, and also made six light trips on account of lack of cars. The credit for the execution of this large amount of work is due to the care and system devised by Superintendent Woodford. The situation of crossing at Grosse Isle, approached by a single track with short and inadequate sidings; the concentration of the traffic from Detroit and the West, from Toledo and the Southwest, and from the Fayette division of the road upon a single track of a mile and a half from Slocum's Junction to the ferry boat presents great difficulties, which require exercise of great vigilance, systematic arrangement and intelligent oversight. [DFP-1879-0422]

1882. The Michigan Central enters into an operating agreement for this line. [MRL]

1929. This line is abandoned and removed. [MRL]