The Haywire

[CAT345C]

I just picked up a copy of "The Haywire" a book about the Manistique and Lake Superior Railroad. Does any body have this book or has anybody read it? I'm curious if its going to be a good read.

[SW]

Heard of it, want to get it. Looking forward to your review.

[GAP]

I own the book but its been quite a while since I have read it. The M&LS was a true U.P. backwoods railroad that sometimes seemed to be held together by "haywire," hence the name. The track arrangement in Manistique seems really unusual and that is because quite a bit of it around the paper mill is left over from the M&LS that the SOO, WC and now CN took over.

[Standard Railfan]

I own a copy. I really enjoyed reading it. I learned a lot about the trails and grades of the central UP. I lent my copy to my brother two years ago and haven't seen it since. He used to work for the US Forest Service in the same area and also learned a lot about why the world looks the way it does.

The book does not have a lot of material but the M&LS was not a big road. Enjoy.

[AARR]

The M&LS was a true U.P. backwoods railroad that sometimes seemed to be held together by "haywire," hence the name.

Shortly after DT&I took over AA (1963) the marketing department for DT&I, who of course had major connections with Ford Auto decision makers, lined up an all-rail movement of ore via LS&I - M&LS (via ferry) AA - DT&I. It amounted to 40 cars per day, 7 days per week. AA had to MU one of its RS1's and send it over to M&LS to work with their S3 to handle the loads. In the short time the ore traveled this route (about 2 years, 66-67 IIRC) it beat the track to death. As soon as the ore traffic stopped the M&LS was abandoned.

[CAT345C]

Finally made it back to my house after two weeks on the road to get the book. I glanced at it quickly it seems like there is a lot of great information! AARR I think you would enjoy this book a lot! Today I'm on my way to Texas so when I get settled down I'll read through it fully.

[AARR]

AARR I think you would enjoy this book a lot!

Thanks for the recommendation. It's on my list of books to buy...eventually.

[MP73point4]

Here's a couple passes from the M&LS.
I think the 1910 pass is the first year as they were created in July of 1909 from the Manistique & Northern and the M&N had already issued a 1909 pass.
You can see the background of the 1925 is the Ann Arbor "A" in a circle as they had been under the control of the Ann Arbor since 1911.
I believe 1926 was the last year of an indepensent M&LS pass. In 1927 they were part of the Ann Arbor Railroad's passes as shown on the third example.
As shown on the fourth example, M&LS showed up on the Ann Arbor passes until it was abandon in 1968. I have not seen any Ann Arbor passes issued between 1945-46 and the 1964-67 one shown.
The Haywire book is a good read too. Don't pay full price. I think I got a copy on Amazon for something reasonable.