not sure if anyone including michiganians have heard but there will soon be a new shortline in west michigan this year. CSX is leasing out its Grand Rapids-Ludinton-Manistee line to Marquette Rail Corporation. Marquette Rail is a partnership of 5 partners including FarmRail, Progressive Rail, and michigan’s own Lake State Railway. Will be interesting to see what name the new shortline will have and what kind of motive power it will use. as for a name, Pere Marquette would be nice name if CSX did not mind the use of it. Would be nice to see Pere Marquette on modern rolling stock like all door boxcars, hoppers and funnel- flow tank cars. anyone got idea of possible name for the new shortline? thank god Rail American did not get that line
that puts it only about an hours drive from me.
Just call it…the Marquette.
It will run by me also. I look forward to when this will happen but will miss the trains that currently run on this line.[V][V]
I was in Ludington this weekend and drove over the bridge on old 31 and looked at the CSX Yard. Looked pretty full and busy.
FYI