Kalamazoo and White Pigeon Railroad  The Kalamazoo and White Pigeon Railroad (K&WP) was a shortline railroad in the U.S. state of Michigan. The line ran from Lansing to Jonesville, then returned north from Jonesville to Albion and Eaton Rapids before closing the loop in Lansing. The NCMR had a short life as an independent company, becoming part of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway in 1871 and then consolidating with the New York Central Railroad in 1914. On April 3, 1848, the state of Michigan enacted legislation chartering the St. Joseph Valley Railroad. Its charter permitted it to build a single or double track from St. Joseph, Michigan, southeast to Cassopolis, Michigan, and thence northeast, east, or southeast to any point in St. Joseph County, Michigan. The company had to commence work in five years, and finish its line within ten years, or forfeit its charter. The Michigan Southern Railroad was barred by its charter from constructing a line within from the Michigan-Indiana border. So the Michigan Southern purchased most of the stock of the St. Joseph Valley, which allowed that line to begin work. The St. Joseph Valley began work in White Pigeon, Michigan, and by 1852 had built a single-track line to Constantine, Michigan. It extended the line to Three Rivers, Michigan, in 1855. Having run out of money, the St. Joseph won an extension from the Michigan Legislature on March 15, 1861, giving it more time to finish the line to St. Joseph. It won a second deadline extension from the legislature on March 17, 1863. The entire line was standard gauge. On June 6, 1855, the Schoolcraft and Three Rivers Railroad was incorporated in the state of Michigan. Its charter allowed it to build a line from Three Rivers north to Schoolcraft, Michigan. Construction did not begin immediately, however. Instead, the company sought permission from the state legislature to purchase the stalled St. Joseph Valley Railroad. The legislature enacted a bill on March 18, 1865, authorizing the purchase. Work now began on building the standard-gauge line from Schoolcraft south. This line opened on May 3, 1867, and the Schoolcraft and Three Rivers merged with the St. Joseph Valley on August 14, 1869. On June 9, 1866, the Kalamazoo and Schoolcraft Railroad was incorporated in the state of Michigan. Its charter allowed it to build a line from Kalamazoo, Michigan, south to Schoolcraft.