[ Post a Response | MichiganRailroads.com- Other Railroads in Michigan ]
Posted by Jim chapman
on 11/6/2009, 8:57 am, in reply to "Re: NS leaving Michigan?"
66.227.248.120
Don't forget what is keeping NS in outstate Michigan. NS and Amtrak.
NS tried ditching everything east of either Willow Run or Wayne already and it was shot down by the STB.
Rumors are the NS Lansing branch has been up for sale in the past and NS wants way more than what the line is worth from a customer or condition standpoint.
Amtrak also does not want NS losing the mainline. Having a shortline operator run the line, likely means less maintainanace, slower train speeds (east of K'zoo) and bigger headaches for Amtrak.
What I think eventaully will happen is Wayne west will be sold to Amtrak, with a shortline operator taking over freight operations. My guess would be the Grand Elk would get those operations because the owners (Watco) were in the agreement for the "Michigan Central" a few years ago.
As long as there is still any life in the auto industry, NS will not ditch the trackage from Detroit to Toledo or the Wabash.
Message Thread:
« Back to thread