October 1, 1836 The Erie & Kalamazoo Railroad begins official operation using horses for power. It is the first railroad in the former Northwest Territory but not the first west of the Alleghenies, as many sources report. The 40-mile trip between Port Lawrence [Toledo] and Adrian can take two days. Operation of the line will be irregular at first due to the rails sinking into bogs along the way.
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October 1, 1848 The Michigan Central Railroad reaches Niles from the east.
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October 1, 1860 The bankrupt Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad is reorganized as the Detroit & Milwaukee Railway (later GT).
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October 1, 1863 Horsecar service in Detroit is extended north to Mt. Elliot.
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October 1, 1869 The Kalamazoo Allegan & Grand Rapids Railroad is leased to the Michigan Southern Railroad and is operated as part of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern. (later NYC, PC)
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October 1, 1871 The Grand Rapids & Holland Railroad is acquired by the Chicago & Michigan Lake Shore Railroad (later PM, C&O, CSX).
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October 1, 1878 The Michigan Lake Shore Railroad becomes the Grand Haven Railroad Company. (later C&WM, PM, C&O, CSX)
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October 1, 1884 The Grand Rapids, Indiana & Mackinaw Railroad is consolidated with the Grand Rapids & Indiana.
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October 1, 1895 Interurban service between Pontiac and Sylvan Lake MI begins.
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October 1, 1901 The Saugatuck, Douglas & Lake Shore becomes the Grand Rapids, Holland & Lake Michigan Railway (MI interurban).
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October 1, 1903 Durand Union Depot is dedicated.
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October 1, 1932 Battle Creek MI streetcars end service at 1:00 am.
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October 1, 1977 Michigan Interstate Railway Company begins operation of the former Ann Arbor Railroad.
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October 1, 1977 Lenawee County Railroad begins operations.
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October 1, 1977 Tuscola & Saginaw Bay Railway begins operations.
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October 1, 1981 Grand Trunk Western acquires the Detroit & Toledo Shore Line Railroad.
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Mark Tomlonson
