Ludington and Northern Railway
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Ludington and Northern Railroad | |
|---|---|
| Locale | Mason County, Michigan |
| Dates of operation | 1902–1982 |
| Predecessor line | Chesapeake and Ohio Railway |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8½ in) |
| Length | 2.79 miles (4.49 km) |
| Headquarters | Ludington, Michigan |
The Ludington and Northern Railroad, also known as the Dummy Train, or the L&N, is a defunct railroad which operated in Mason County, Michigan between 1902 and 1982. At a length of 2.79 miles (4.49 km), it was for decades the shortest operating common carrier railroad in the state.[1]
In March 12, 1895, the Epworth League Railway in Mason County was organized. The line at that time was 4 miles (6.4 km) long, running from Ludington to Hamlin Lake. In 1901, the Epworth League Railway was bought by Ludington & Northern.[2]
The Sargent Sand company began mining operations just north of Ludington and south of the Ludington State Park in 1936, selling sand to foundries and other businesses. When Sargent Sand purchased the Ludington & Northern Railway Company, the rails ran from Ludington to Epworth Heights, and continued to the southernmost boundary of the Ludington State Park. The Sargent Sand company shortened the route, terminating it at their 79.6 acre mining operation, at which point the railroad reached its final length of 2.79 miles (4.49 km). When Sargent Sand ceased mining operations, the railway fell into disuse. The Ludington & Northern Railroad officially became an abandoned line on Jan. 15, 1982.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Ludington & Northern Railway Company. Retrieved on 2008-01-10.
- ^ Michigan Railroads & Railroad Companies (1992). Graydon "Don" M. Meints, Michigan State University Press.
[edit] References
- Meints, Graydon ("Don") (1992). Michigan Railroads & Railroad Companies. East Lansing, Michigan: Michigan State University Press.
