Grand River Valley Railroad

This road, from Jackson to Grand Rapids was opened in 1870. It was 83.79 miles long with 17.01 miles of sidings and spur tracks. It was standard gauge. It was 22 years from being chartered until it was built.

Built → Grand River Valley Railroad → Michigan Central Railroad

Chartered: 1846

Built: 1870 from Rives Junction to Grand Rapids.

Operated for less than 1 year.

Became: Michigan Central when line was completed in 1870.

Reference: [MRRC]

Iowa Central

When coal was discovered in the vicinity of Eldora the problem of cheap transportation became of paramount importance. This led to the formation of the Eldora Railroad and Coal Company on February 7, 1866, to build a railway to Ackley, sixteen miles north. At Ackley the Eldora road would connect with the east-west road which is now the Illinois Central. By July, 1868, the new road was completed, but its connection with the outside world was not entirely satisfactory.

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