RailRoadFan.com

What railroad ROW once occupied what is now the SVRT?

That's part of the former Michigan Central/New York Central line from Jackson to Saginaw and Bay City.

Thanks. I thought it was but just wanted to make sure.

Also, the trail terminates at St. Charles but checking Google Maps, there's no sign of tracks near the end of the trail. Where does the line resume if it isn't toen up all the way to Jackson What railroad now operates over the remains if there are any? When was the Jackson line removed and when was it converted into a rail trail?

Rough description would be that the tracks are in at Chesaning and go to Owosso, gone from Owosso to Lansing, and in from Lansing to Jackson. Operated now by the JAIL RR, which is operated by the same outfit that runs the Adrian & Blissfield. GLC runs the portion still in from Owosso to Chesaning.

A couple miles south of the end of the trail is rail used by Great Lakes Central for car storage, and these track continues to Owosso and connects with the Old Ann Arbor RR trackage.

A couple years ago while riding the Saginaw Valley Rail Trail, I noticed a mile post marked with a "J" and a "90"
on the east side of the right-of-way about 4 miles north of Saint Charles. It sparked an interest in learning what
the "J" could possibly indicate. A quick browsing of a Michigan map clearly showed Jackson would be 90 miles
south of the mile post location. Hence learning about the Jackson, Lansing, and Saginaw Railroad.

http://www.shiawasseehistory.com/jackson.html

A logging display out building nestled in the woods at Hartwick Pines State Park has an awesome map
laid on a table showing the railroad route from Jackson, to Gaylord.

Of course the route changed ownership over the years with (I believe) the Tuscola and Saginaw Bay Railroad
being the final operator before it was turned into a rail trail.

For what it's worth, multiple tracks still exist among the heavy overgrowth just south of where the rail trail ends.
The 1917 map attached shows the trackage.

John

Sorry for my lateness but thanks for the info!

Railroad History along The Saginaw Valley Rail Trail

You Tube URL below:

https://youtu.be/1CAoBfAypRY

John