The line that goes between Butler and Detroit is Norfolk Southern's Ex
Wabash Detroit to St Louis mainline. it was built between Butler and Detroit
in the early 1880s and between Butler and New Haven Ind in 1902. It then
connected/connects up with the new line at New haven which runs through Fort
wayne, Huntington, Wabash, Peru, and logansport The original Detroit St
Louis main ran through Auburn, Churubusco, Columbia city, Denver and
eventually Logansport. most of thois was abandond in the 1950s, 1960s and
late 1970s. this line was known as the Eel river divison of the Pennsylvania
RR after the Wabash quit using it in the late 1890s. The EX Wabash line
across Indiana to Detroit is very busy with auto rack trains bound for St
Louis and auto parts trains bound back to Detroit. It also is a bridge route
for trains bound from the midwest grain markets to Detroit to be loaded
bound for the russian markets. it also is unique in that NS runs what they
call roadrailer trains which are actually semi trailers that ride on railcar
trucks directly on the rails thus eliminating the need for flatcars which
speeds up the process from going from rail to highway. Hope this helps you
out a little......
-----Original Message-----
From: RH128212(a)aol.com <RH128212(a)aol.com>
To: INDEKALB-L(a)rootsweb.com <INDEKALB-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Date: Sunday, June 11, 2000 9:30 AM
Subject: [INDEKALB-L] History of railroad--Butler to Detroit---1880-1900
Thoroughly enjoyed reading history of Butler County.
My father BENJAMIN F. HARRIS, jr was b 17APR1893 in Butler, a son of
BENJAMIN FRANK HARRIS & CLARE M. CRAWFORD. Their birthdate are unknown.
It was always told by my father that Ben, Sr was born and/or raised in
Coldwater, MI, Branch County,"around 1857"
It is my speculation now, since It has been so difficult to find a BEN
HARRIS, Sr in DeKalb County and Coldwater, MI, that perhaps BEN F, Sr was
not
the name he used or is even correct, although this is the name on my
fathers
SSDI.
.
It is almost like He & Clare never existed in either DeKalb County or
Coldwater, MI or anywhere in MI/IN
Cost of any research is acceptable and no problem.
My other question is did the railroad from Butler en route to Detroit go
thru Coldwater, MI?
Help with this brickwall will be appreciated & thank you.
R Harris rh128212(a)aol.com
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