User:Mackensen/Transportation in Kalamazoo

= Stub article (WIP) = Streetcars operated in the city of Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States for a period of nearly fifty years. What began as a simple horse-drawn operation developed into a full-fledged electrified system with links to interurbans which criss-crossed the state, until economic and labor woes forced the system out of operation for good.

Streetcars
The initial impetus for a streetcar system came from Jeremiah W. Boynton, a native of Grand Rapids who had already built and operated street railways there. In late 1883 he proposed to the Kalamazoo city council the creation of a horse-drawn railway, which the council promptly approved. On February 2, 1884, he formed the Kalamazoo Street Railway to construct and operate the system. The original ordinance, drawn up with the assistance of city engineers, called for six lines totaling 5.4 mi. The terms of the ordinance required that three of these lines be in operation by the beginning of 1885.

System
At its height the Kalamazoo system comprised nine lines for a total mileage of roughly 15.6 mi. The system centered on the intersection of Michigan and Burdick in the downtown, then radiated outward.
 * East Main Street: This line ran east across the Kalamazoo River into the Eastside, where it passed under the tracks of the Michigan Central and terminated at Main & Wallace. Michigan United Railways interurbans coming from Battle Creek joined this line just west of the Michigan Central bridge and continued in to the interurban station at Michigan & Rose.
 * West Main Street:
 * Oakland Drive:
 * Westnedge Avenue:
 * South Burdick Street:
 * Portage Street:
 * North Burdick Street:
 * North Street:
 * Seminary-Lincoln:

Railroads
Intercity passenger train service to and from Kalamazoo is provided by Amtrak. Eight trains run daily along two routes: the (Chicago–Port Huron) and the  (Chicago–Pontiac via Detroit). Trains use the Kalamazoo Transportation Center, an intermodal facility situated in downtown Kalamazoo. Originally built by the Michigan Central in 1887, it underwent a significant remodelling 2004–2006 and now serves as the hub for local bus transport and intercity bus services. During FY 2007 Kalamazoo saw 107,251 boardings and alightings at its station, making it the second busiet in the state, second only to Ann Arbor.

For freight haulage, both the Norfolk Southern and the Canadian National operate in the Kalamazoo area. The Norfolk Southern owns part of the old Michigan Central double-tracked main line which runs east-west through the downtown; the western portion is one of the few stretches which Amtrak owns directly. The Norfolk Southern also owns part of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern's Grand Rapids–White Pigeon line whichs runs north-south through the east side of town; the presence of a Norfolk Southern slow freight can cut the town in half. Additionally, the Canadian National leases the old Pavilion branch of the Chicago, Kalamazoo & Saginaw whichs extends southeast from the city.

Roads
Kalamazoo sits at the intersection of two major freeways: Interstate 94 (I-94) and U.S. Highway 131 (US 131). The city is also served by two Michigan state highways: M-43 and M-96. It was on the original Territorial Road in Michigan of the 1800s, which started in Detroit and ran to Lake Michigan. Much of that, but not all, later became Old US 12—the "old" designation came about when I-94 was built parallel to it—and also was called Red Arrow Highway after a World War I army division. The US 12 designation was shifted south to what once was US 112 between Detroit and Chicago. Some parts of Old US 12 outside of town, especially in Van Buren and Berrien counties to the west, are still called Red Arrow Highway.

Railroads

 * Michigan Central Railroad
 * Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway
 * Pennsylvania Railroad
 * Grand Trunk Western Railroad
 * Chicago, Kalamazoo and Saginaw Railway
 * Kalamazoo, Lake Shore and Chicago Railway
 * Michigan Traction Company

Timeline

 * 1884: Kalamazoo Street Railway begins operation over 5.4 miles of trackage. Spur operated to the National Driving Park.
 * March 30, 1893: Michigan Electric Railway Company forms Citizens Street Railway for purposes of electrification. $200,000 investment.
 * July 3, 1894: Official opening of electrified service.
 * 1906: Michigan United Railways assumes control of the Citizens Street Railway.
 * 1932: Streetcars cease operations.

Lines
Naming purely notional pending more information
 * A: Downtown - Oakland - Parkview
 * B: Downtown - West Main - Arlington
 * C: Downtown - Burdick - North - Douglas - Grand Prairie
 * D: Downtown - Burdick - Paterson
 * E: Downtown - Main - Gilbert - Seminary
 * F: Downtown - Main - East Main - Wallace
 * G: Downtown - Main - Lincoln
 * H: Downtown - Portage - Bryant - F(P?)ulford - Stockbridge - Washington
 * I: Downtown - Burdick - South - Rose - Burr Oak - Burdick - Alcott
 * J: Downtown - Westnedge - Dingley (now Summit)

Western State Normal Railroad
Inclined railway running up Prospect Hill. (1908-1949)