Ford Motor Company. Engineering Photographic Dept.

The Detroit, Toledo, and Ironton Railroad (D.T. & I. Railroad) was originally initiated in 1849 as the Iron Railway. It evolved chiefly into a coal-hauling line north to south from Ironton, Ohio to Detroit, Michigan with miles of branches and sidings. When Henry Ford bought controlling interest in 1920, it was nearly a defunct organization. The following January, Ford announced a $15 million improvement program and in March, he became president of the railroad. By July of 1922, the railroad was approaching profitability and new major projects were underway. A direct electrified link connecting the Rouge River Plant with the D.T. & I. tracks at Flat Rock, Michigan was separately incorporated as the Detroit and Ironton Railroad. Henry, Edsel, and Clara Ford were sole owners. Ford's intent was to move materials by the shortest route to save valuable shipping time, thus reducing his own costs. The railroad was most profitable during 1923 to 1926. In 1929, the Pennroad Corporation, which was formed by the Pennsylvania Railroad, purchased D.T. & I. for $36 million.