Ludington and Northern Railway
Encyclopedia
The Ludington and Northern Railway, also known as the Dummy Train, or the L&N, is a defunct railroad which operated in Mason County, Michigan
between 1902 and 1982. At a length of 2.79 miles (4.5 km), it was for decades the shortest operating common carrier
railroad in the state.
On March 12, 1895, the Epworth League Railway in Mason County was organized. The original line completed in 1896 was 2 miles (3.2 km) long, running from Ludington to Epworth. On July 18, 1901, the name was changed to Ludington and Northern Railway when Justus Smith Stearns
purchased it.
The Sargent Sand company began mining operations just north of Ludington and south of the Ludington State Park in 1936, selling sand to foundries and other businesses. When Sargent Sand purchased the Ludington & Northern Railway Company, the rails ran from Ludington to Epworth Heights
, and continued to the southernmost boundary of the Ludington State Park. The Sargent Sand company shortened the route, terminating it at their 79.6 acres (322,130.1 m²) mining operation, at which point the railroad reached its final length of 2.79 miles (4.5 km). When Sargent Sand ceased mining operations, the railway fell into disuse. The L&N officially became an abandoned line on June 15, 1982.
Mason County, Michigan
Mason County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the population was 28,705. The county seat is Ludington.-History:...
between 1902 and 1982. At a length of 2.79 miles (4.5 km), it was for decades the shortest operating common carrier
Common carrier
A common carrier in common-law countries is a person or company that transports goods or people for any person or company and that is responsible for any possible loss of the goods during transport...
railroad in the state.
On March 12, 1895, the Epworth League Railway in Mason County was organized. The original line completed in 1896 was 2 miles (3.2 km) long, running from Ludington to Epworth. On July 18, 1901, the name was changed to Ludington and Northern Railway when Justus Smith Stearns
Justus Smith Stearns
Justus Smith Stearns was an American lumber baron and businessman. He was Michigan's secretary of state in 1899 and 1900.- Biography :...
purchased it.
The Sargent Sand company began mining operations just north of Ludington and south of the Ludington State Park in 1936, selling sand to foundries and other businesses. When Sargent Sand purchased the Ludington & Northern Railway Company, the rails ran from Ludington to Epworth Heights
Epworth Heights
Epworth Heights is a summer resort located in Ludington, Michigan, in the United States.- Founding :Epworth Heights was founded in 1894 by Justus Smith Stearns and others. It began as a Methodist Chautauqua-style family camping experience on the shores of Lake Michigan...
, and continued to the southernmost boundary of the Ludington State Park. The Sargent Sand company shortened the route, terminating it at their 79.6 acres (322,130.1 m²) mining operation, at which point the railroad reached its final length of 2.79 miles (4.5 km). When Sargent Sand ceased mining operations, the railway fell into disuse. The L&N officially became an abandoned line on June 15, 1982.