Re: Retracking Metamora
In advance of the startup of Conrail on April 1, 1976 hearings were held concerning the future of the PC line between Utica and Millington. Railroad customers and employees as well as politicians and interested citizens were given time to voice their opinions concerning the future of the line. The only protestant I recall was Metamora Products, which had recently invested in a new unloading system. But according to the formula that was in place at the time, which I believe was 34 carloads per mile of track, they didn't generate a significant quantity of carloads to justify keeping the track to Metamora in place from either the northern (Millington) or southern (Utica) end. Of course GTW bought the small segment around Lapeer which gave them access to local industry on the southern end (Union Camp; also FoamSeal, if they were down there at that time) as well as the lumber yard (Church's) to the north of the diamond. Church's, a long-time PC and NYC customer, took only a couple of cars from GTW and then stopped rail service. I am surprised GTW kept that line around Lapeer for as long as they did before selling it to Lapeer Industrial. As far as re-tracking to Metamora? Highly unlikely for the reasons noted, I-69 especially.
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