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The Owosso Times Jan. 1, 1909

Ann Arbor's Big New Engines .

Four immense new engines of the nine ordered from the American Locomotive Works, Philadelphia, have arrived at the Ann Arbor shops in Owosso and are now doing duty on the road. They are of the latest and most improved patterns and add greatly to the equipment of the road, which, but for the financial, would be one of the best in the state, and which, and which, if left alone, will soon be.

The Owosso Times Jan. 15, 1909

Fire at Ann Arbor Shops

The frame building at the Ann Arbor shops east of the round house, occupied by the master mechanic, store keeper and as a storeroom was partially destroyed by fire Sunday night, the starting in the engineer's room in rear of the building. The damage is not great, but the fortunate part was that the surrounding buildings did not catch fire. There is no good good road to reach the shops and the fire department found difficulty in reaching it, but did good work after arriving.

The Owosso Times Jan. 29, 1909

More Work for Ann Arbor Shops.

United States Judge Swan has ordered the receiver of the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton railway to turn over 2,500 freight cars and 30 locomotives, the latter at the rate of 10 per month, the Trust Company of America. The company defaulted in paying for the large order of cars and the balance still due, it is claimed, amounts to $1,900,000.

The Manual of Statistics for 1908 says the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton has 92 locomotives and 7,023 freight cars. The order of Judge Swan will take away almost one-third of the power and freight equipment.

Neither General Manager Geo. K. Lowell or General Counsel B. S. Warren, who are receivers for the road, are in the city, and nobody feels free to discuss the matter. – Detroit Journal

The above bit of news is of a good deal of local interest and importance. The Ann Arbor Railroad at the present time is using a large quantity of D. T. & I. rolling especially engines, while the Ann Arbor's own engines, some of them, are boarded up and standing on side tracks because of the expense which would be incurred in repairing them.

Now that the D. T. & I. is pinched for rolling-stock, it naturally will call in the engines leased to the Ann Arbor. This will mean that the Ann Ann Arbor will have to repair its engines in the local shops. The demands of the freight service are great and undoubtedly the shops will soon go back to ten hours a day to keep with those demands.

The Evening Argus Feb. 24, 1909

MANY WERE ALARMED

When Whistle of Ann Arbor Shops and Fire Whistle Blew Last Night

Disastrous Blaze Was Feared But It Proved Nothing More Serious Than Burning Caboose

Hearing the hoarse blasts of the familiar toned whistle of the Ann Arbor shops at about 9:30 last night and then the screech of the city fire whistle, many Owosso citizens were seized with the conviction that this city was in for another disastrous fire. From all directions people streamed from their homes to the railroad yards. What met their gaze was not the destruction of buildings, but the more soothing spectacle of flames eating up a caboose belonging to the company.

The caboose, when about to be sent out on a trip caught fire from an overheated stove, and when the blaze was discovered was too far gone to make possible the checking of the fire by ordinary means. The fire department was called and it was again demonstrated that the locality of the Ann Arbor is the most difficult for the firemen to reach, of any in the city. The firemen had laid their hose on the ground and over box cars, and were preparing to turn on the water, when a switch engine hooked on to the burning car and whisked it the track nearly to the water works where an open space gave lots of room for the shower of sparks without danger to surrounding property. The firemen chased after the car and after some delay trained a steam of water on to it, readily extinguishing the fire. The caboose if a total wreck however.

The Owosso Times Feb 26, 1909

The blowing of the car shops whistle at 10 o'clock Tuesday night and the big blaze in the direction of the shops brought fear to many until it was found that the fire was caused by a burning caboose, which was quickly drawn out of the yards and the fire extinguished by the fire department. The fire started from a red hot coal stove.

The Owosso Times March 5, 1909

The Ann Arbor Ry. has appointed Wm. VanRiper agent at Boon, after refusing for a long time to give the people an officer.

The Benzie Banner March 12, 1909

[Beulah]C. W. Reemtsen has shipped three car loads of ice to the Ann Arbor R. Rice houses at Mt. Pleasant, during the past few days

Ludington Daily News April 12, 1900

The carferry, Ann Arbor No. 1 arrived at Sturgeon Bay Monday morning with the Algoma in tow. The No. 2 and 3 continued on to Menominee to load cars after releasing these steamers. While entering Sturgeon Bay the No. 1 lost her port shaft and wheel and was compelled to make her way to port with one wheel. The steamer has been in the ice nearly two months.

The Owosso Times April 16, 1909

ANN ARBOR IMPROVEMENTS.

Large Sums of Money For New Equipment.

Detroit, April 15. – “Before fall we hope to have the Ann Arbor system in condition so that the people of Michigan may be proud of it,” declared Vice-President and General Manager George K. Lowell, in his office in the Ford building, Wednesday.

This state state followed the announcement that he had just closed contracts for two new all-steel passenger trains, the first of the kind to be operated by a Michigan railroad; 6,000 tons of 85,pound steel rails; four more monster freight engines and another passenger locomotive.

Expenditure Over $750,000.

Expenditure of the line for rails and new equipment in the fiscal year ending in June will exceed $750,000. Eight locomotives were received last fall, as well as other rolling stock.

The order for the steel passenger cars has been given to the Pullman company, and includes four coaches and two parlor cafe cars. This equipment will be delivered by June 15, and will be used used in the resort traffic to Frankfort. These cars are lighted by electricity and the only wood in them is the interior paneling and this is for the purpose of aiding in heating the cars, the steel being such a non-conductor of as to make the wood paneling necessary.

When the new rails are down, the last of the old 56-pound rails will have vanished from the Ann Arbor line, and the whole 300 miles from Toledo to Frankfort will consist of 70 to 85-pound rails.

The new passenger locomotive will carry an electric headlight, and these electric headlights will be placed on all the passenger engines. They are regarded as an additional safeguard., as they outline the roadbed so that even a switch-point may be seen.

New Bridge Near Ann Arbor.

In foggy weather the flash of the light may be seen for miles, and slower trains may be appraised of the approach of the approach of the passenger train by the illumination of the sky.

The freight locomotives are of the heaviest type, and and the bridges along the line have been strengthened in advance of their coming. A new bridge will constructed across the Huron river at Ann Arbor, and a curve in the track will be straightened, making it safer for trains coming toward the bridge at rapid speed. A mile and a half of track will be relaid, and the whole improvement will cost $70,000.

Since General Manager Lowell came to the Ann Arbor from the Monon line two years ago, a vigorous policy of improvement has been in progress, and and the Ann Arbor road has undergone a metamorphosis.

When I go to sleep at night I want to feel that everything that human skill and foresight can do for the safety of travelers has been provided for our system.” said Mr. Lowell

The Evening Argus April 17, 1909

TO TEACH EMPLOYES

Those of Ann Arbor Road To Take Instruction From Car Now in Owosso Shops

During the past six months the Ann Arbor has bought from the American Locomotive Works several large locomotives of the most modern type obtainable. These locomotives are equipped with the latest up to date Westinghouse air brake apparatus. As the company has no air brake demonstrating plant for their shops, the Westinghouse Air Brake company has leased to the road one of the finest equipped air brake cars in the United States, and it is now in the Owosso shops. This car is accompanied by two air brake experts, Mr. H. H. Burns, of Philadelphia, and Mr. W. A. Gwin, of Baltimore. These gentlemen will conduct

a series of lectures and examinations at Toledo, Ann Arbor and Cadillac for the benefit of employees in all branches of the service. The car while on the Ann Arbor is in charge of Watson Hurst, one of the passenger engineers.

The Benzie Banner April 23, 1909

The Ann Arbor railroad company has placed an order with the Pullman car company for four steel passenger coaches and two parlor cafe cars to be delivered June 15, for use in t h e resort traffic between Toledo and Frankfort. These cars are much stronger and superior to the wooden style of coach and will add much to the comfort of the passengers. The care will be lighted by electricity and the locomotives will be equipped with an electric headlight capable of being seen for several miles. Four new monster freight engines have also been ordered.

The Owosso Times April 23, 1909

Nine washouts were reported on the Ann Arbor railway Monday between Alma and Ithaca.

The Owosso Times April 23, 1909

Lee H. Retan has practically completed his work of checking and inspecting freight cars returned by the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton R'y to the Ann Arbor at Detroit and will resume his place with the latter road in this city.

The Benzie Banner April 30, 1909

The Michigan & Ohio Railroad Co. has applied for a franchise to run its lines through Ann Arbor. The plan is to build a line from Toledo to Ann Arbor and later to extend it to Whitmore lake.

The Montreal Gazette May 3, 1909

On Lake Michigan, the Ann Arbor Railroad car ferry No. 1, picked up 19 miles south of Fox Island, the big steel lighter Batavia, deserted by her crew and with no positive evidence as whether they perished or were taken off the lighter by the steamer which is believed to have been towing her.

It is a strange story of marine mystery which the big Ann Arbor car ferry brought into port with her today, when she arrived towing behind her the big steel lighter Batavia, which was built in 1904, for the Lehigh Valley Transportation Company. The car ferry found the lighter tossing on the waves south of Fox Island, with no crew aboard. In the dining room was evidence that there had been a crew. The dining room table was set as for dinner.

But nothing except severed hawser indicated a possible solution of the crew's where abouts. Marine men think that the evidence which the hawser bore of being cut may mean that the tug or steamer which had the lighter in tow found it necessary in the gale to cast her loose, and if so probably took off the crew before leaving the steel hulk at the mercy of the storm. Lighters of this style usually carry, marine men, say crews of four to ten.

The Evening Argus May 7, 1909

FORTY MILES OF STEEL

Ann Arbor Railroad Laying It In Places Between Cadillac and Frankfort

Starting this week the Ann Arbor railroad company will start to lay new steel on forty miles of their track between this city and Frankfort which was not finished up last year. The steel is of the same weight as which was used last year which run from eighty to eighty-five pounds. The points where this will be laid will be between Homestead and Frankfort and Mesick and Selma township, a total of about thirty-five miles. When this stretch is completed the distance between Mt. Pleasant and Frankfort will all have been relaid. There will be about 12 men employed and they will be divided up in three gangs/ One of the gangs will start laying in Selma township and men from this city will be hired if they can be procured. The other two gangs are Italians and arrived in this city Wednesday afternoon and will start to work near Frankfort and Mesick this week. It is estimated that will take about two months to complete the job. – Cadillac News

The Owosso Times May 7, 1909

General Passenger Agent Kirby gives assurance that the early morning train north and the late evening train from the north are permanent fixtures on the Ann Arbor road, having proved a paying investment.

The Evening Argus May 14, 1909

Passenger Train Derailed

Thursday morning Ann Arbor passenger train No. 7 jumped the track near Clare and for a distance of three hundred feet plowed up the ties, cutting out 150 of them. No one was hurt and not other damage was done than to the ties. However, the train was delayed over three hours.

The Evening Argus May 14, 1909

Ann Arbor Shops Employing Big and Constantly Growing Force

Grist of Gossipy Items Picked Up In and Around the Shops

Every department is rushed with work and in some men are working nights in order to get the work out on time. In the blacksmith department every forge is busy. In the car repairing department there are twenty four gangs of men who are repairing cars, especially refrigerator and frost proof cars. The coach department is rushed trying to get out their work on baggage cars and coaches. Between now and Monday eight new men will be put on, bringing the total of car repairers and helpers up to one hundred. In the the piece working department ten car are being fitted up as sleepers for the men who are to work laying the new track between Cadillac and Frankfort. Two kitchen cars and two dining cars are also being prepared for this purpose. The sleepers will accommodate sixteen men. They leave tomorrow for Cadillac.

A big force of men under Extra Foremen Frank Dean is making great improvements around the yards, such a grading the sidings. Mr. Dean also has charge of putting in the new cement walk on the turntable.

The paint department is working nights in order to get some of the coaches out on time.

William R. Beresford, O. Bruff, Ed Lynch and Chas. Wietzke of the paint department returned Wednesday from Dundee, where they painted the depot.

Baggage car No. 104, Coach No. 14 and accommodation car No. 107 are in the paint shops getting a fresh coat of paint.

Paul Hunt has resigned his position in the paint shop and accepted a position with the American Farm Products Co.

Engineer Thos. Hudlow on engine 104 left at 6:00 o'clock Thursday night with a steel train for Cadillac.

J. W. Fiddler has relinquished his position with the local shops and gone to work on the Monon R. R. line as fireman.

Engine No. 201 made her maiden trip on passenger run number 104 Wednesday. Engineer Dan Prendergast limbered her up.

Lee Retan has accept a position as clerk to George Sutter, foreman of the car department. He takes the place of Arch Lowry who is now foreman of car repairs.

Engines number 108 and 126 are receiving a general overhauling in the shops.

Andrew Simmington received a painful injury to his right eye Monday by an accident slipping of a sledge from the hand of a helper.

Engineer H. Hicks has returned from a thirty days leave of absence. He will go on his run Monday.

The piece work department is turning out about thirty cars a week.

Chris Faeh of North Star has accepted a position as carpenter.

M. Howard is working as a car repairer.

Herbert Richardson of Marion is working as carpenter.

Gus Schultz of St Clair has accepted a position as boilermaker.

C. M. Hurry, fireman, is working in the piece department

R. Knoblauch of Adrain has accepted a position in the car repairing department. He will move his family here soon.

Tracy Hewitt has resigned his position here to work in Mt. Pleasant

John Guerden has accept a position as wiper in the machine shop

Alfred Broad of Ionia is working in boiler making department

E. T. Bean of Tecumseh is working in the blacksmith department

Engineer C. R. Woosier is spending a two weeks' vacation in Detroit.

Engineer Kerwin is taking his place.

Fireman J. E. Corey is back on duty.

M. Howard is working as a car repairer.

Herbert Richardson of Marion is working as carpenter

Gus Schultz of St. Clair has accepted a position as boilermaker

George Hubert of Toledo, Ohio, is working as boilermaker in local shops.

The machine shops are busy overhauling shafts for Ann Arbor boats numbers 3 and 4.

H. W. Seamark of Lansing is working as boilermaker.

A. C. Webb of Toledo, Ohio, has accepted a position as car repairer.

Charles Bartell is working as helper in the boiler shops.

H. C. Judge of Big Rapids is working as boiler maker in the local shops.

A. Worth of Alma is working in the boiler shop department.

Cafe coach No. 50 has received a general overhauling and the number has been changed to 300. It left the shops Thursday.

The Owosso Times May 21, 1909

There are now 139 men employed by the Ann Arbor railroad in laying new steel north of this city. They are divided up into four gangs. At Frankfort there are forty-one, at Beulah thirty, at Selma thirty-six, and just north of this city there are thirty-two. Roadmaster Hirt says that the work is progressing at a rapid rate and expects to have all the steel laid with six weeks. – Cadillac News.

The Toledo News-Bee May 25, 1909

ANN ARBOR LOSES STATION BY FIRE

Flint, Mich., May 25 – The E. L. Close grain elevator at Byron, Mich., has been totally destroyed by fire that menacing the business section of the town. The Toledo & Ann Arbor railroad station has been partially destroyed, and the firemen are trying to save the big lumber yards next to the elevator. The damage so far is estimated at $50,000.

The Owosso Times June 11, 1909

Closed Temporarily

The Ann Arbor Railroad shops will be closed during part of June June because of poor freight business for some time making a shortage of funds. About 50 men will be kept at work.

The Evening Argus June 16, 1909

ANN ARBOR'S NEW ENGINE

Passenger Train From Cadillac to Owosso Now Has Elegant One.

The new engine No. 204, which has turned over to the Ann Arbor railroad by the Schnectady Locomotive Works a few days ago, passed through this city Saturday afternoon on her maiden trip and again Sunday on her return trip to Owosso. Watson Hurst was the man at the throttle, accompanied by Engineer Rogers from the locomotive works. The engine is of the very latest type and displays a large amount of speed over the road. Among the latest improvements are that it is lighted entirely with electricity, has the Wallard valve motion and the fire door opens by air pressure. The engine will be used on their new steel train from Owosso to this city which arrives in this city at 10:35 p. m. and leaves at 4:30 a. m. – Cadillac News

The Owosso Times June 18, 1909

The Ann Arbor R. R. management desire a hydrant at the round house for fire protection as it is necessary now to lay hose across the tracks, stopping traffic.

The Evening Argus June 19, 1909

Ann Arbor Railroad Company is Devoting Attention To Rolling Stock

ELECTRIC DYNAMOS

Being Installed In Coaches In Local Shops – New Steel Train Will Soon Be In Commission

Some of the Ann Arbor passenger coaches are in the local shops, being fitted out with electric dynamos. It is the aim of the company to have all coaches on the line thus equipped, eventually. The lights obtained by this method are more economical , brighter, and require less attention than the kerosene lamps. The dynamos are attached by heavy steel bars to the trucks underneath the coaches. The entire apparatus is securely bolted and from a small pulley on the dynamo, is a belt extending to the axle of the nearest pair of wheels. Storage batteries are also carried and these feed the lights when the car is not in motion. The electrical apparatus is being installed under supervision of Chief Electrician Abbot Merrylees.

Three steel cars are being manufactured for the Ann Arbor road by the Pullman company of Chicago. They are of the most modern type and will be equipped with all modern appliances. It has been previously mentioned that the company proposes to have an entire steel train, which will be as fine as anything rolling in the country. The new locomotive that arrived a few days ago will draw this train, and it is expected that it will be in service by the first of next month.

At the local railroad shops business is not rushing at the present time but a comparatively few men remain at their posts.

The Evening Argus June 25, 1909

WILL TAKE SOME TIME

To Get Together Skilled Workmen Enough To Make Ann Shops Lively Again

Now Believed Operations Will Be Resumed About Monday, July 5 – Shop Notes

It is believed now that activities will resumed on a large scale in the Ann Arbor shops about July 5th, which falls on Monday. When the reopening does occur the company will have difficultly in getting together blacksmiths and other skilled labor. Many of the men who were recently laid off have gone to other places to work and may decline to return.

A fresh coat of whitewash is being applied to the walls of the machine shop and the round house.

At the end of this week there will be three more coaches doing duty for the railroad. Passenger coach No. 12 was out last Friday and went over the road as fast as the flyers pull their trains. Passenger coach No. 104 will leave the paint shop tomorrow, resplendent in a new coat of paint, new lettering and thoroughly renovated.

Two baggage coaches, number 207 and 104, will go out for service Saturday. These cars are equipped with the latest in the way of electric lighting apparatus. A new style of lettering, devised by Charles Wietzke, foreman of the paint department, adds to the beauty of the coaches being sent forth.

Tommy Williams has returned to his work in the paint department.

In the round house things are moving regularly. Engine No. 75 is having a new end-sill and coupler put on. Engines No. 2 and 4 with observation cars numbers 400 and 402 will leave this week for the ping pong runs at Lakeland and Frankfort respectively.

The new time table went into effect Sunday. Two more runs were added. Trains 5 and 6 will go through to Frankfort during the summer. Until now they have been running from Toledo to Ann Arbor.

Mike Purcell, engineer on train 1 and 2, established a precedent for himself when he laid off for one trip the first of the week. This action on Mike's part has caused the round house men to sit up and take notice.

Jake Walters has not been at his work for three days because of siege of sickness. Engineers William Byerly and George Proudfoot went fishing yesterday morning. Fireman Julius Miller, Luick and S. Miller also went after fish but their luck was not make public. It is general impression around the shops that the loss was not heavy among the finny tribe.

John Scott, an engineer on a local freight run will be promoted to extra passenger engineer when the new trains are put on.

Will Farell and Will Pease will constitute the swing crew this year.

Trains 5 and 6 will run over the north end under the guidance of George Corey and A. McKerring, Frank Nevins and Roy Slawson will have the honor of shoveling coal on the fast trains.

The Owosso Times June 25, 1909

Ann Arbor car ferry No. 4 which recently sank at Martinique has been raised and after being overhauled will again be put in commission.

The Evening Argus June 29, 1909

WRECK ON ANN ARBOR

Seven Cars Went Over Big Fill One Mile North of Mesick Tuesday.

Seven cars of a north bound local freight on the Ann Arbor railroad jumped the track on a big fill one mile north of Mesick at 10 o'clock this morning and after tearing up the track for several hundred feet rolled down the fill. The train was in charge of Conductor Harry Van Winkle and Engineer Polaski and fortunately no one was hurt. The cause of the wreck has been assigned to a broken flange on one of the wheels of the seven cars that jumped. Five of them loaded with coal, one was tank car, and one an empty box car.

The wrecking crew left this city and are clearing the track which is thought it will require 24 hours to do. The passenger train No. 7 which leaves here at 10:52 a. m., went as far as Mesick and returned to this city and will detour by way of Traverse City City and Copemish over the G. R. & I. And M. & N. E. roads. The south bound train No. 2, took the same route. – Cadillac News

The Evening Argus July 1, 1909

PAPER DRINKING CUPS

Ann Arbor Passenger Trains To Be Equipped With Them

New York July 1 – The Ann Arbor railroad company, it was learned here today, will install individual paper drinking cups on all its regular passenger car equipment this summer. Contracts with a New York cup concern were signed several days ago.

The Ann Arbor road will use automatic vendors for dispensing the cups. The small nickel plated devices are placed at one side of the water coolers. In each of them are nested one hundred or more dainty white parafine cups. The cups once drawn forth and used cannot be replaced; but must be discarded or carried away. They are in the exact form of a drink glass, and are stiffened by a coat of parafine. The cups are manufactured by a semiautomatic process and are absolutely sanitary process and are absolutely sanitary when they reach the lips of the drinker.

The Ann Arbor road will be the first in Michigan to supply individual drinking cups to its passengers, although the Michigan Southern is said to be contemplating the move. Several large eastern railroads are furnishing individual cups.

At the Michigan legislation last session a bill to abolish the dangerous common drinking cup was introduced by Representative Verdier. The bill will come up before the committee on public health at the coming session.

The Benzie Banner July 2, 1909

The "Ping" is running again

The Evening Argus July 3, 1909

Ann Arbor Passenger Number Three Derailed Near Mt. Pleasant Last Night

ONLY TWO REPORTED HURT

All Coaches Are Thrown Into Ditch – Cyclone Devastates County Near Mt. Pleasant

Mt. Pleasant July 3 –Special –

Following a terrific storm that occurred here yesterday afternoon Ann Arbor passenger train Number three northbound, was badly wrecked after leaving Mt. Pleasant, and when about two miles out, at about 9:30 last night. The heavy rain of the afternoon caused the undermining of the roadbed. The tender of the locomotive of the passenger train was derailed while the train was making a speed of about 30miles an hour. The baggage and mail coaches and several others went over onto their sides into the ditch after being dragged a short distance, tearing up ties and rails, and losing much of their momentum.

The passengers were badly shaken up and a number were bruised and marked, but miraculously all but two escaped injuries worthy of mention.

C. W. Schultz, baggage-man, whose home is in Toledo, is reported to have suffered a broken leg and other injuries. A passenger, name unknown, was badly cut about the face by broken glass and sustained other hurts which are not believed serious.

At about 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon a terrific wind storm tore through a strip five miles in width near Mt. Pleasant and left the ruins of barns and other buildings and the downfallen trunks of trees in its path. Fully 15 barns were blown down, while orchards were destroyed and immense damage was done to crops of all kinds.

Telephone poles and wires are down in Mt. Pleasant and vicinity and communication with the outside world was completely shut off for a few hours.

The Toledo News-Bee July 5, 1909

ANN ARBOR WRECK HURTS TOLEDOAN

Charles Schultz, an Express Messenger, Is the Victim of a Derailment Near Temple, Mich.

Charles Schultz, express messenger of Toledo, was painfully injured about 12 o'clock on Saturday in a wreck on the Ann Arbor railroad near Temple, Mich., a small town about 50 miles from this city.

Passenger train No. 4 was speeding along, when the engine, baggage and express coach jumped the track. Other members of the crew escaped injury by jumping, but Schultz was precipitated over a 20-foot embankment with the car.

The train, due in Toledo at 1:50 in the afternoon did not arrive here until 6 o'clock on Saturday night. None of the passenger coaches, when were comfortably filled, left the track.

Schultz was brought to Toledo, and taken to his home, 725 Oakwood avenue. He will recover unless complication develop.

The Toledo News-Bee July 8, 1909

$100,000 ALL STEEL TRAIN SHOWN HERE

Ann Arbor Will Exhibit Innovation in Passenger Equipment Saturday at the Union Station.

ONE COACH COSTS $20,000

Toledo people will have the rare opportunity Saturday of leisurely inspecting the first all steel passenger train that has ever been seen or operated in the Central states. The train is to be operated by the Ann Arbor railroad, and will be on exhibition Saturday from 9 a. m. to 6 p. m. at Union station.

Arrangements have been made at the station to accommodate all who wish to see this costly train, but the time of the exhibit is necessary limited to Saturday by reason of the fact that the train goes into daily service Monday on the Ann Arbor, running between Toledo and Cadillac, Mich.

The entire train, from locomotive to parlor car, will be at Union station. It is new from end to end, even the huge locomotive having just come from the Schenectady shops of the American Locomotive company.

This magnificent train represents an expenditure by the Ann Arbor of $100,000. The observation, cafe-parlor car alone cost $20,000, and it is one of the finest specimens of railroad passenger equipment that ever left the car shops.

Not a stick of wood beyond the interior paneling between the windows has been used in the construction of the coaches.

The floors, walls, roofs, are all of steel plates, solidly riveted together, and so effectively braced and trussed throughout that the cars are the strongest and most rigid used in railroad service today.

The steel coaches – smoker and first class coach – are about ten feet longer than the ordinary wood coach, their length being 70 feet, 6 inches. The have a seating capacity for 88 passengers.

The interiors are handsomely decorated and the furnishings luxurious beyond the best of the wood coaches so extensively used. They are lighted by electricity and cooled by electric fans; and the sets are richly upholstered. The coaches, of course, are of the vestibule type. The mail and baggage cars are also of solid steel construction. The trucks are each provided with six wheels to take care of the added weight due to the length of the cars and to give then easy riding properties which characterize the Pullmans.

The observation cafe-parlor car is a splendid example of the progress which has been achieved in railway passenger construction. It is fitted, furnished and finished throughout on the most lavish manner, and it seems that not a single item has been overlooked or omitted that could possibly add to the comfort, ease or pleasure of its occupants.

The forward end is occupied by the cafe and the chef's quarters, so that those riding in the coaches ahead may have convenient means of reaching the cafe.

The fact that a portion of this magnificent car is given over to the cafe makes no reduction in its seating capacity for the car is 74 feet six inches long. At the rear end is a large observation platform, backed by large plate glass windows.

Railroad officials and others who have traveled extensively on American roads declare this car to be one of the finest that has ever been built in this country. Indeed, its cost – $20,000 – is far in excess of the cost of some of the most palatial private cars which have been turned out.

From end to end, no finer train has ever been placed at the disposal of Ohio and Michigan travelers. The train will be known as No. 3 on the Northern run and No. 4 on the southern run. It will leave Toledo daily except Sunday at 3 p. m. for Cadillac, and returning will leave Cadillac at 4:40a. m., arriving in Toledo at 1:10 p. m.

The Owosso Times July 16, 1909

Ann Arbor passenger train No. 1 due at Owosso at 5:05 p. m. ran off the track at Harrietta, Sunday, but as the train was just moving at the time but little harm was done and no one was hurt. The rails spread because of heat. It was fortunate that a bad wreck did not result as might so easily have happened but for the fact that the stop was needed to to take water.

The Evening Argus July 31, 1909

Ann Arbor Railroad Company Is Running One of Finest In Country

CONSTRUSTED OF STEEL

The Interior Furnishings and Appointments Are Luxurious in the Extreme

Some days ago the Ann Arbor railway added a new steel passenger train to its equipment and those who are competent to judge pronounce the new train one of the best now being operated in this country. Even the large locomotive which draws the handsome train is new, having recently come from the Schnectady shops of the American Locomotive company.

This magnificent train represents an expenditure by the Ann Arbor of $100,000. The observation cafe-parlor car cost $20,000, and it;s one of the finest specimens of railroad passenger equipment that ever left the car shops.

The floors, walls, roofs are all of steel plates, solidly riveted together and so effectively braced and trussed throughout that the cars are the strongest and most rigid used in railroad service today.

The steel coaches – smoker and first-class coach – are about ten feet longer than the ordinary wood coach, their length being 70 feet 6 inches. They have a seating capacity of 88 passengers.

The interiors are handsomely decorated and the furniture luxurious beyond the best of the wood coaches so extensively used. The are lighted by electricity and cooled by electric fans and the seats are richly upholstered. The coaches, of course, are of the vestibule type. The mail and baggage cars are also of solid steel construction. The trucks are each provided with six wheels to take of the added weight due to the length of the cars and to give them the easy riding properties which characterize the Pullmans.

The observation cafe-parlor car is a splendid example of the progress which has been achieved in railway passenger car construction. It is fitted, furnished throughout in the most lavish manner, and it seems that not a single item has been overlooked or omitted that could possibly add to the comfort, ease or pleasure of its occupants.

The forward end occupied by the cafe and the chief quarters, so that those riding in the coaches ahead may have convenient means of reaching the cafe.

The fact that a portion of this magnificent car is given over to the cafe makes no reduction in its seating capacity, for the car is 74 feet 6 inches long. At the rear end is a large observation platform, backed by large plate glass windows.

From end to end no finer train has ever been placed at the disposal of Ohio and Michigan travelers. The train will be known as No. 3 on the northern run. It leaves Toledo at 3 p. m., running though to Cadillac. The train leaves Cadillac in the morning at 4:30.

The Evening Argus Aug. 6, 1909

THE FORCE INCREASED

Twenty Four Men Added To Goodly Number at Ann Arbor Shops

General Items of Interest Picked Up In and Around the Shops

The large force of men now employed at the Ann Arbor yards was yesterday increase by twenty-four. These men will be engaged in the rebuilding and repairing of freight cars, gondola cars, cabooses and coal cars. They will evidently be given steady employment because of the immense amount of work that is to be turned out.

Combination mail and passenger coach No. 205 is undergoing repairs in the way of a new vestibule, steel frame and double steel body bolsters.

Seventeen cars are now equipped the sanitary drinking cups. These cups are placed in an automatic

vending machine and one can be had by inserting a cent in a slot and pushing on a lever. Punishment of a fine and also imprisonment has been provided for persons who may attempt to obtain a cup by inserting slug or other worthless object.

While nearing Ithaca last Tuesday morning, pulling a heavy load of freight, one of the drive wheel axles on Engine No. 105 snapped asunder. An accident was averted only by the quick work of Engineer Coryell, who almost immediately noticed the broken axle and stopped the engine. Help was needed to draw the engine from the main line and it was later taken to the yards at Owosso where it will soon be placed in the proper condition again for work.

Chair car No. 301 has been changed to a combination chair car and smoker. The number of the new car is 403 and it will leave the shops the latter part of the week.

Engine No. 5 is out of the paint shop and doing duty as a yard engine for a short time. Later it will be put on the new run to be installed when the New Haven Coal Mining company commence operations.

Orlie Buff, J. Lingo, Frank Lehman and A. H. Wietzke went to Ann Arbor yesterday forenoon and cleaned the coaches that are being used on the excursion runs this summer. They returned the same evening.

The Owosso Times Aug. 6, 1909

At the Car Shops.

Engine No. was sent out of the shops yesterday to make a trail trip, after a complete overhauling. No. 33 has taken its place in the shop.

In the setting up shop there are four flat cars which are being built over into box cars, while in the yard outside there are about ten box cars in various various stages of repair. These with one caboose and a snow plow constitute nearly the whole list of “cripples” in this department.

The Benzie Banner Aug. 6, 1909

Ann Arbor Buys Another Railroad.

A dispatch from Traverse City states that the Ann Arbor railroad has purchased the Manistique, Marquette & Northern railroad, which taps the rich ore region of the Upper Peninsular. This will mean a large increase in business for the Ann Arbor in freight.

The Owosso Times Aug. 20, 1909

Owing to the scarcity of coal the Ann Arbor Ry. has taken off eight crews which have been working night and day with four work trains near Clare, two of the trains being brought in Saturday evening and two more Wednesday evening. The steam shovels are now in the yards at Owosso.

The Evening Argus Aug. 27, 1909

The Ann Arbor railroad company are having a roof put on the water tank at the station, the roof having burned off during the depot and elevator fire. (Byron)

The Evening Argus Sept. 4, 1909

Four To Be Received First of Week By Ann Arbor Railroad Company

HAVE AUTOMATIC STOKERS

Device Is Expected To Lengthen Life of Engines and Save Fuel and Labor

The Ann Arbor railroad company continues to give evidence of a desire to make the road one of the best equipped in the country among those of its caliber. The first of the coming week, the company will receive four large consolidated freight engines from the Schnectady Locomotive Works to be used between Toledo and Owosso as soon as the bridge near Ann Arbor is completed. These engines will be equipped with the Crouse automatic stoker which will relieve the fireman of a great deal of hard work.

This stoker is something new for this part of the country and the Ann Arbor is expecting great results from it in the way of economy in the use of fuel, and the extension of the life of the locomotives as well as saving labor.

The Owosso Times Sept. 10, 1909

Internal Trouble?

The official management of the Ann Arbor Railroad company is not at peace with itself. That fact is made quite apparent by an announcement that appears in the Detroit Free today, through which Joseph Ramsey, JR., asks the stockholders of the Ann Arbor not to sign the printed proxies that have been sent out giving voting power at a coming meeting to George W. Young, Leo M. Butzel and G. Casper Niles. The three men just named represent the president of the Ann Arbor railroad company, Eugene Zimmerman and that is why Mr. Ramsey, who is vice president of the company is urging that no proxies be given them. The president of the Ann Arbor, Mr. Zimmerman, and its vice president, Mr. Ramsey, are the respective leaders of the factions within the company opposed to each other. Just what is in between President Zimmerman and Vice President is not yet known to outsiders. The meeting of the stockholders at which the proxies are to be made use of, referred to in the statement made in the Detroit paper today, is to be held in September.-- Cadillac News and Express.

The Owosso Times Oct. 8, 1909

The management of the Ann Arbor railroad has announced that hereafter no liquor of any kind will be sold on its cafe cars in local option counties.

The Toledo News-Bee Oct. 21, 1909

Zimmerman Roads Prepare to Improve Their Holdings Below Casino.

Increase of Coal and Trade Demands Additional Dock Loading Facilities

The first step in the development of Maumee Bay frontage will taken, probably within the next year, when the Ann Arbor and Detroit, Toledo & Ironton railroads will develop property they have below the Casino by the erection of a half mile of coal and iron docks and loading and unloading machinery.

This announcement was made on Thursday morning by Eugene Zimmerman, who is president of both roads.

we are developing or coal and ore docks below the plant of the Toledo Furnace company now,” said Mr. Zimmerman. “But if business conditions continue to improve, as they have in the past few months, we will be compelled in a few months to utilize the property we have below the Casino. And to my mind, this country is on the eve of the greatest industrial boom that the world has ever witnessed.

FEEL CAR SHORTAGE

The railroads are already feeling the shortage of cars. The Ann Arbor company has just placed an order for 500 steel coal cars and for 300 box cars. With the American Locomotive works, a contract has been placed for 12 new locomotives. So you can see what I think of the future of the country's prosperity.

I have just returned from abroad and conditions are showing the same marked improvement there. I don't believe anything can stop it now and I look for several years of the best times in the history of the world.

It is certain that our docks below the Toledo Furnace company will not be able to take care of our needs long, and that will mean the development of our property below the Casino at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars. It will be a big improvement for Toledo,” said Mr. Zimmerman.

The Owosso Times Oct. 26, 1909

Ann Arbor Changing Curves

The Ann Arbor railroad is having all sidetracks on its system north of Owosso changed regarding the angle of curves and ties. Because of the heavy engines – they are are also longer than the old timers – the curves on all the sidetracks have proven to be of too sharp an angle and running the large engines on them has in several instances proven damaging. The ties are considered too light and are replaced by heavier ones. – Cadillac News and Express.

The Owosso Times Oct. 26, 1909

A new diamond will be install soon at the junction of the O. & C. Electric Co. and Ann Arbor tracks on Corunna avenue.

The Owosso Times Oct. 26, 1909

Another Contest Over Ann Arbor Ownership

Columbus, O., Nov. 23, – A petition was filed in the United States court Monday by Fred J. Lisman for a committee of holders of holders of preferred stock against the Detroit, Toledo, & Ironton Railway Co., the Knickerbocker Trust Co., the United States Mortgage & Trust Co., H. B. Hollins & Co., a note holders' committee and the receivers of the Detroit & Ironton road, in which conspiracy is charged in the purchase of the Ann Arbor railroad by the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton Co.

The petition alleges that ebe two roads competitors and that the purchase was a violation of the law of Michigan; that $5,000,000 of consolidated mortgages were issued and bonds sold without the of the majority of the stockholders and that the whole deal was a conspiracy to work injury to the complainants.

The complainants pray for a true accounting and that the $5,000,000 of bonds issued for security of collateral trust notes be declared void as obligations the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton road, or as having any lien on the property.

Detroit, Nov. 23, – Concerning the dispatch from Columbus. Benjamin S. Warren, general counsel of the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton said:

The question as to the validity of the issue of $5,000,000 in bonds is not a new one, and testimony is now being taken in New York on this point. The suit of Mr. Lisman however, is a new development. When the matter was heard by Judge Swan in Detroit in September Mr. Lisman desired to file an intrvening petition, but the judge held that it was not the proper time for such action. He seems to have gone Columbus and started suit as a non-resident holder of underlying stock.

This is the first time that I have heard any suggestion of 'conspiracy' in the purchase of the Ann Arbor. I do not think the two roads – the Ann Arbor and the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton are completing lines within the construction of the courts. I had something to do with the transaction, and certainly it did not occur to me that the law of state of Michigan was being violated.”

The Evening Argus Nov. 18, 1909

Men Needed In All Department of Ann Arbor Railroad Shops

Return of Prosperous Times Makes a Shortage of Available Cars

The distress signal is still out at the Ann Arbor shops and there seems to be little chance for its being hauled down right away. Laborers and machinists are scarce and so are cars and it is feared that the company will be up against a car storage before long. Barely enough cars are available to keep up with the rush of business.

At present the company has several hundred box cars in Chicago being repaired. They were sent a few weeks ago and last week 150 of them were returned in first class shape. However another shipment of 200 was necessary and this was made on Monday of this week. Two factors have made this move necessity. Car repairers are lacking and the short days make it impossible for the men to work a full day. For this reason the officials would like to get as large a gang as possible at this work, but no men are available. In the machine shop more machinists and helpers are wanted, as the company is desirous of getting all its rolling stock in tip top condition before the winter season, with its heavy snows and hardships for railroad men, comes.

Preparations are being made for the winter season however, in other ways. The company is building snow fences along the worst of its track in the northern part of the state. Last winter and the winter preceding huge snow drifts in the big cuts up north completely tied up that end of the line at times.

The snow plows are also being repaired and painted ready for service at any time.

Ann Arbor Notes

General foreman J. T. Strubel is at Frankfort supervising the overhauling of ferry number 3. He is reported back tonight.

Two new cabooses number 2 and 11 have been built at the shops and will be ready to go out on their initial trip the latter part of this week.

All hands in the machine shop are working ten hours a day.

Louis O'Berry has resigned at the truck factory and is working in the machine shop.

Charles Adams, electrician, is in Jackson on business.

Several engines are in the shops for repairs.

Chief Clerk L. H. Retan is in Chicago inspecting the cars being repaired there. Claude Stewart of the Toledo offices is doing his work.

The Benzie Banner Nov. 19, 1909

The Manistique & Lake Superior road, which this road was formed 7/31/1909, as the old Manistique, Marquette & Northern, was purchased by the Ann Arbor railroad several months ago, has paid no taxes since 1903, and the amount now due the state, including the penalties, is $93,536.04.

The Evening Argus Nov. 24, 1909

Two Early Ones Destroy Ann Arbor Store House and Damage Milk House

DAMAGE AGGREGATES $6,000

Fireman Otto Schroeder Falls from a Fires Are But Few Hours Apart

Two fires within two hours of each other, one of which was in the Launstein milk house at Adams and Janette street, and the other of which destroyed the Ann Arbor store house near the railroad shops, with its contents, did nearly $6,000 damage early this morning. The losses are covered by insurance.

The blaze in the store-house was discovered just before 6 o'clock by the night watchman.

The Owosso Times Dec. 10, 1909

The Ann Arbor railroad has received a large number of new steel gondolas which has been distributed along the road where cars are need. In addition many of the cars which have been repaired in Chicago are again in use.

The Owosso Times Dec. 10, 1909

The old paint at the Ann Arbor is being used for round house purposes and a new building 64x100 feet is being built for a paint shop.

The Evening Argus Dec. 14, 1909

UNFAIR RATES ALLEGED

Business Men of Clare Say They Have Grievance Against Ann Arbor Road

CLARE, Mich., Dec. 14. – This town is having trouble with the railroads over freight rates on raw material for its wood working establishments. It is alleged by manufacturing interests 'here that the rates on the Ann Arbor are so high that they practically prohibit the shipping in of logs and other rough timber products. As a result one factory, that known as he Horning mill, has been forced to suspend temporarily. Rhoades and Shaffer, manufacturers of heading are in the same plight. They have been forced to limit their purchases to points on the Pere Marquette lines, and according to members of the company, that road is unable to originate enough raw material to keep them going.

The business men and manufacturers of Clare are demanding the same treatment from the Ann Arbor that they receive from the other road, and it is expected the matter will be brought before the state railroad commission by formal complaint. They allege it is a discrimination that threatens the prosperity and future of the town.

Ludington Daily News Dec. 16, 1909

Sherman – There is now no doubt that the recent big fire wiped this village of Sherman of the map. Yet the village once had the opportunity to become a place of importance. The Ann Arbor asked the village to bond itself for $5,000 as a bonus to get the road to run a spur from Mesick to Sherman. The bonds were issued, but at that time municipal aid to railroads was frowned upon. A representative of the road came to Sherman one day and met a number of business men. To H. B. Sturtevant, then the big man of the place he said: “ Mr. Sturtevant, give me $4,500 cash, take these bonds, use them as an investment, get a nice thing out of it yourself, and the railroad will come to this place.”

Mr. Sturtevant always had done much for Sherman, but he turned down the opportunity for doing good for the place, and the railroad did not come to Sherman. Sturtevant is credited with being unwilling to have Sherman grow because of the competition he would personally meet in business. Right there is where Sherman quit growing. Right there is where Mesick got her start. Mesick was not on the map to the extent of being even platted when the Ann Arbor lost its chance of going to Sherman. Now while Mesick has reached her limit, she has grown to quite a village.

That most of the Sherman business men will go to Mesick or Glengary seems evident.

The Owosso Times Dec. 17, 1909

For using cars not provided with safety coupling devices, offices of the Ann Arbor railroad paid a fine of $200 in the U. S. court at Detroit, Tuesday.

The Owosso Times Dec. 24, 1909

Ann Arbor R. R's. Annual Meeting Postponed

Durand, Dec. 18, – The annual meeting of the board of directors of the Ann Arbor railroad, which was adjoined from October 18, last, and was to have been held Saturday here, has been adjourned again, to January 11, when the members of the board hope to transact business.

The litigation which is now on in Detroit and New York City, and which involves the Ann Arbor and Detroit, Toledo & Ironton companies, is responsible for the delay in the holding of the meeting. The litigation is the most remarkable and out of the ordinary case brought to the attention of the railroad men, in a decade.

The members of the board, from Detroit were on hand for the meeting Saturday, as was Caspar G. Miles of New York City, secretary of the company. It is understood now, that no change in policy or officers of the road, will be made at the adjourned meeting, unless something unexpected happens between now and the date set for the meeting.

The Toledo News-Bee Dec.29, 1909

ANN ARBOR LINE PLANNING TO ELECTRIC POWER

The Ann Arbor steam road between Toledo and Ann Arbor may be electrified. Information was given out on Wednesday that the company is contemplating putting on motor cars between Toledo and Ann Arbor and furnishing hourly service out of Toledo for the Michigan college town and way points.

If the plans of the company materialize the Ann Arbor will be the first steam road in this section of the country to use motor cars in providing passenger service.