Interesting topic on Dales board...

[Todd Cline]

There is a discussion on michiganrailroads.com in the history section, about a mystery railroad grade that follows the CN/GTW into Cassopolis from the east. Lots of speculation, but no firm facts. Anyone here know the real story?

Todd

[hobojim]

According to the Comprehensive RR Atlas, there was a NYC(MC) line from Three Rivers thru CAssopolis to Niles. Now abandoned

[tazer]

According to the Comprehensive RR Atlas, there was a NYC(MC) line from Three Rivers thru CAssopolis to Niles. Now abandoned

The abandoned line was the Airline that ran from Niles to Jackson .

The area in question is east/northeast of M-60 and west of Decatur road and also a section near Penn. There are some sections of land that are raised and look like a old ROW on the north side of the CN main . There is no record of any grade ever being planned or begun there
There was a mention of it possibly being interurban tracks from Benton Harbor through Dowagiac and then through Cassopolis BUT when it got to Penn the GTW wouldn't let them cross the main so it stopped before it ever really got started. But that is speculation and has no proof in writing.

[Mr. Tops]

If there's no record of any grade (my SPV atlas doesn't show squat there besides CN) there, then it was probably a spur to an industry in Cassopolis or a second main line with a spur off from it with a long switching lead so trains didn't block the main while switching.