Michigan United Railways

[3][4] During its lifetime the Michigan United operated a number of different lines, most of which it acquired through the acquisition of other companies rather than new construction.

The line was almost entirely new construction, except for in Jackson, Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, where it shared track with local streetcar operations.

As was customary it ran over local streetcar lines in both Lansing and Jackson, but there was additional street-running in Leslie as well.

It ran over streetcar lines in Lansing before turning north and running through DeWitt to St. Johns, for a total length of 19.61 miles (31.56 km).

[7] Another branch line ran to Owosso; this was built in 1910 by the Lansing & Northeastern, a wholly owned subsidiary of Michigan United.

Finally, in 1911, the S&F built north from Saginaw to Bay City, finishing the main line for a total length of 47.09 miles (75.78 km).

Ownership passed to Michigan Railroad in 1919, and that company abandoned the Frankenmuth branch in 1922 and the main line in 1929.

Another branch owned by the Michigan & Chicago, which continued from Montieth west to Allegan, was also abandoned in 1928.

[10] In 1911 the Michigan United leased the Kalamazoo, Lake Shore and Chicago, a Kalamazoo–South Haven line.

This proved a problem during Michigan's notoriously harsh winters, when ice build-up on the tracks inhibited conductivity.

To meet this challenge W. Silvius, the Michigan United equipment superintendent in Albion, developed a "pneumatic sleet shoe."

The design was similar to a standard shoe, but included four steel cutters on the front to cut the sleet, while a system of air hoses allowed the motorman to lower as needed.