Arcadia & Betsey River

Historical Notes.

The Arcadia & Betsey River (A&BR) was incorporated on September 25, 1895 by the Henry Starke Land & Lumber Co. (HSL&L). By November 15, 1895, the line had been built from Arcadia to a crossing with the Chicago & West Michigan (predecessor of Pere Marquette, later Chesapeake & Ohio and CSX Corp.) at a point that would become know as Henry. It is possible that this line already existed and had been operated by Henry Starke.

The railroad was completed to Copemish on the Ann Arbor by December 12, 1896. A state inspection at the time revealed "...completed but not all ballasted." Another inspection in 1896 found that the 23 mile standard gauge line had 4 small bridges over creeks, 13 stations, 20-30 employees, one 30T locomotive (probably 2-6-0 #1), 15 flat cars, 34 log cars, 1 caboose and 1 combination baggage coach. The Ann Arbor had laid the rails but the 21 miles of telephone line were owned by HSL&L.

In the early 1900's, the A&BR added an express car, two box cars and a coach which was used only occasionally. The 1908 state inspection found that a mixed train was operated daily except Sunday. There were no written train orders and the A&BR was ordered to adopt such. Roadbed was fair with little ballast, ties and rails were in poor condition, surface and alignment was poor, and the top speed was 15 miles per hour. However, the next year, the state noted "Much improved over last inspection."

In 1914, the state inspection remarked that the line needed re-ballasting and that there were no station buildings. Then on Nov. 30, 1918, the line from Henry to Copemish was abandoned. Finally, during July, 1936 and not able to survive the depression, the line was abandoned and the rails were torn up and along with the remaining equipment, were sold. Ironically, the funds realized from the sale were used to purchase trucks and other motor equipment for the Arcadia Furniture Co., to carry on logging operations and to transport the finished product to market.

Locomotive Roster Notes.

1 2-6-0 "Henry Starke" Blt: Brooks c#2431 1894.
2 4-4-0?
3 ?
4 4-6-0 Blt: Baldwin c#10611, 03/1890. Cyl 18x24, drv 54", BP 150, TE 18026, Wgt 90000.
Ex: Alabama Midland #21, Toledo, Ann Arbor & Northern Michigan #36, Ann Arbor #36 re-#78.
Acquired: 09/1910, new boiler #10750, 1922.
5 4-6-0
6 ?
7 4-4-0?

2-6-0 #1 "Henry Starke" at C&MW crossing (Henry), Mich. c1895. Photo from C. T. Stoner.