Lake State Railway
Encyclopedia
Lake State Railway is a railroad operating in the northeast quadrant of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan
. The railroad moves large quantities of aggregate and limestone.
Lake State began operations in 1992 when it acquired all the lines operated by the Detroit and Mackinac Railway
. One of the lines acquired was originally Michigan Central from Bay City
to Cheboygan
. Another line, original D&M trackage, branched off in Pinconning
and followed Michigan's eastern shore to Rogers City
. The track north of Gaylord
to Cheboygan was abandoned shortly thereafter. While a few minor spurs were abandoned, no other mainline was until 2001, when its line past Alpena
to Rogers City was removed.
In 2005, Lake State acquired 67 miles of new trackage, operated under the subsidiary Saginaw Bay Southern from CSX Transportation
around Saginaw
, Midland
, and Bay City.
Including SBS trackage, Lake State interchanges with the Huron and Eastern Railway
in Saginaw, Bay City, and Midland, the Mid-Michigan Railroad
in Paines, and CSX in Mount Morris
.
Lower Peninsula of Michigan
The Lower Peninsula of Michigan is the southern of the two major landmasses of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is surrounded by water on all sides except its southern border, which it shares with Ohio and Indiana. Geographically, the Lower Peninsula has a recognizable shape that many people...
. The railroad moves large quantities of aggregate and limestone.
Lake State began operations in 1992 when it acquired all the lines operated by the Detroit and Mackinac Railway
Detroit and Mackinac Railway
The Detroit and Mackinac Railway , informally known as the "Turtle Line", was a railroad operating in the northeastern part of the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. The main line stretched from the southern hub at Bay City, to its northern hub at Cheboygan...
. One of the lines acquired was originally Michigan Central from Bay City
Bay City, Michigan
Bay City is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan located near the base of the Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 34,932, and is the principal city of the Bay City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Saginaw-Bay City-Saginaw Township North...
to Cheboygan
Cheboygan, Michigan
Cheboygan is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 5,295. It is the county seat of Cheboygan County....
. Another line, original D&M trackage, branched off in Pinconning
Pinconning, Michigan
Pinconning is a city in Bay County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,386 at the 2000 census. It is included in the Bay City, Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Area....
and followed Michigan's eastern shore to Rogers City
Rogers City, Michigan
-Commercial airports:The nearest commercial airports are Alpena County Regional Airport an Cherry Capital Airport -US Highway Business Loops:* BUS US 23-Intercounty Highways:* F-21-Demographics:...
. The track north of Gaylord
Gaylord, Michigan
Gaylord is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 3,681. It is the county seat of Otsego County. The city is also the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Gaylord; it is by far the smallest settlement serving as the location of an active Roman...
to Cheboygan was abandoned shortly thereafter. While a few minor spurs were abandoned, no other mainline was until 2001, when its line past Alpena
Alpena, Michigan
Alpena is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Alpena County. It is considered to be part of Northern Michigan. The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is located in the city. The population was 10,483 at the 2010 census...
to Rogers City was removed.
In 2005, Lake State acquired 67 miles of new trackage, operated under the subsidiary Saginaw Bay Southern from CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
around Saginaw
Saginaw, Michigan
Saginaw is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the seat of Saginaw County. The city of Saginaw was once a thriving lumber town and manufacturing center. Saginaw and Saginaw County lie in the Flint/Tri-Cities region of Michigan...
, Midland
Midland, Michigan
Midland is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan in the Tri-Cities region of the state. It is the county seat of Midland County. The city's population was 41,863 as of the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Midland Micropolitan Statistical Area....
, and Bay City.
Including SBS trackage, Lake State interchanges with the Huron and Eastern Railway
Huron and Eastern Railway
Huron and Eastern Railway is a short line railroad operating of track in The Thumb of the lower peninsula of Michigan. It is one of many shortlines owned by Rail America, and was the first railroad owned by the conglomerate....
in Saginaw, Bay City, and Midland, the Mid-Michigan Railroad
Mid-Michigan Railroad
The Mid-Michigan Railroad is a railroad owned by RailAmerica, having been acquired in 2000. It operates of track in Michigan.-History:The company incorporated in 1987, for the purpose of acquiring railway lines from the CSX Corporation. The company was owned at inception by RailTex, a Texas-based...
in Paines, and CSX in Mount Morris
Mount Morris, Michigan
Mount Morris is a city in Genesee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,194 at the 2000 census. The city is adjacent to Mount Morris Township, but is politically independent.- History:...
.