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Great Lakes Central Railroad: Preserving Service In Michigan

Published: January 19, 2025

By: Adam Burns

The Great Lakes Central Railroad (GLC) is a prominent regional carrier that operates more 400 miles of track through the heart of Michigan.

Stemming from a rich history of rail transport in the United States, the GLC serves as a vital artery for the economy and communities it traverses, especially considering these lines likely would have otherwise been abandoned during the 1970s.

Established in 2006 from what was formerly the Tuscola and Saginaw Bay Railway, the GLC inherited both its routes and mission to maintain essential rail service in the region.

Great Lakes Central GP38-2s #396 and #395 have the 'Cadillac South Turn' rolling through Marion, Michigan on August 18, 2023. Doug Kroll photo.

History

The history of the Great Lakes Central begins with the Tuscola & Saginaw Bay Railway (T&SB), incorporated on April 26, 1977 to operate, under contract, lines acquired by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to maintain rail service throughtout the state's central and northern region.

Initially these lines included three former Conrail corridor: 

• Bay City Branch between Millington and Munger, Michigan

• Caro Branch between Vassar and Colling, Michigan

• Saginaw Branch between Vassar and Richville, Michigan

In 1981 it grew again by acquiring 9.5 miles of ex-Grand Trunk Western trackage between Richville and Harger.

By October 1982, MDOT had chosen T&SB to take over operations from the Michigan Interstate Railway on two additional lines. This included the former Ann Arbor Railroad (AA) main line, linking Ann Arbor and Alma, and another segment of the Saginaw Branch running from Owosso to Swan Creek (Saginaw).

In May 1984, the remaining section of the former AA then operated by the Michigan Northern Railway was transferred to T&SB, with the rest of the Michigan Northern's state-owned lines following suit in October 1984.

This expansion included the section of the old Grand Rapids & Indiana (PRR) between Reed City and Petoskey, and the GR&I Traverse City Branch stretching from Traverse City to Walton.

It also covered segments of the former Pere Marquette Railway, from Grawn to Williamsburg via Traverse City, and between Charlevoix and Bay View near Petoskey.

Notably, in August 1983, T&SB acquired a 12-mile stretch of the Greenville Subdivision between Ashley and Middleton from the Grand Trunk Western. Altogether, by the end of 1984, the short line maintained 21.5 miles outright and operated an additional 472.5 miles.

The line between Charlevoix and Bay View saw its contract conclude in 1988, and by 1991 was abandoned by the state. The once lucractive car ferry service at the northern tip of what used to be the Ann Arbor at Frankfort ceased in 1982, and service was eventually truncated to Yuma.

By 1991, the Huron & Eastern Railway had taken over the T&SB's lines around Vassar. In addition, the carrier transferred 9.5 miles of the Saginaw Branch (Richville-Harger) to the Huron & Eastern Railway.

In that same year, the state abandoned the former PRR/GR&I between Cadillac and Comstock Park as well as the Saginaw Branch between Chesaning and St. Charles. In May, 2006 Federated Railways acquired the Tuscola & Saginaw Bay, renaming it as the Great Lakes Central.

Present Day

Today, the Great Lakes Central operates 420 miles, primarily operating through the picturesque landscapes of Michigan's lower peninsula. Major cities on its route include Ann Arbor to the south, with reach extending up to Petoskey in the north, while also including key towns such as Owosso and Cadillac along the way.

Its service is particularly crucial during Michigan's bountiful harvest seasons, facilitating the movement of products like corn, soybeans, and sugar beets.

The GLC is a critical economic lifeline for many of the smaller communities it connects, offering businesses in these areas an efficient and cost-effective means of transporting goods. By serving as a bridge between manufacturers and larger national rail networks, the short line plays an integral role in ensuring these local businesses can compete effectively in broader markets.

Diesel Roster

Great Lakes Central GP35s #390 and #393 - former Ann Arbor units still sporting their trade-in AAR Type B trucks - layover outside the shops at Owosso, Michigan on August 23, 2013. Doug Kroll photo.

In conclusion, the Great Lakes Central Railroad is a vital piece of Michigan's infrastructure, embodying both the historical significance and future potential of regional railroads.

Its operation not only supports the state's economic activities but also preserves an important mode of transport.

With ongoing investments in infrastructure and services, GLC looks poised to maintain its role as a key player in the regional transportation network for years to come, continuing to connect communities and facilitate industries across the Great Lakes region.