| Saginaw Subdivision | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Locale | Michigan |
| Termini | |
| Service | |
| System | CSX |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
TheSaginaw Subdivision is a railroad line in the U.S. state ofMichigan. The line runs 105 miles fromToledo, Ohio, toSaginaw, Michigan.CSX owns the line although since 2006, the section fromMt. Morris to Saginaw has been leased to theLake State Railway but is still occasionally used by CSX. The Plymouth to Mt. Morris line was also leased to LSRC starting in March 2019.[1]
BeforeCSX Transportation operated trains on the Saginaw Subdivision, it was originally owned by thePere Marquette Railway. In the year 1947, the PM was acquired by theChesapeake and Ohio Railway. It continued under the control of the C&O until 1973 upon which theChessie System assumed operations of the line. In 1980, when the Chessie System merged with theSeaboard System Railroad, the line became owned by its current owner, CSX. Over the years the line has lost a lot of traffic and many of theindustrial spurs have since been abandoned. TheFlint and Holly Railroad was built by businessman, and later Michigan Governor,Henry H. Crapo in the 1860s to serve his lumber mill. A park near the junction ofCanadian National Railway's Holly Subdivision (a branch line of the oldGrand Trunk Western Railroad), is named for him and a Michigan Historical Marker about him and the railroad's section stands there.[2]
The line begins inToledo, Ohio, where it connects with the Toledo Terminal Division. Heading north, the line comes into the village ofCarleton, Michigan. In Carleton, the ConrailLincoln Secondary branches off and theCanadian National Railway's Flat Rock Subdivision crosses. Continuing ontoWayne, Michigan, the line crosses the Michigan Line, operated by Amtrak. CSX trains can interchange with NS here. There is aFord automobile plant, which requiresautorack cars for loading. North of Wayne, it entersPlymouth, Michigan. At Plymouth Diamond (MP CH82), the Saginaw Subdivision meets the east-westCSX Plymouth Subdivision-Detroit Subdivision line.[3]
Beyond Plymouth the line crosses the now abandonedMichigan Air Line Railroad inWixom. Then the line continues north. North of Plymouth is the village ofHolly, where the line crosses CN's Holly Subdivision near a historic abandoned depot. InFlint, it interchanges withCanadian National'sFlint Subdivision at the Atwood Wye. Also in Flint is the McGrew Yard and engine facilities for CSX equipment.[3] InGenesee County, it closely parallelsM-54 (Dort Highway) for several miles.Lake State Railway began leasing the line from Plymouth to Mount Morris starting in early March 2019.[1]
On October 29, 2005,Saginaw Bay Southern Railway (nowLake State Railway) began leasing over 67 miles ofCSX Transportation trackage, part of which includes the Saginaw Subdivision fromMount Morris to Saginaw.[4]
As with most lines in theDetroit,Michigan, metropolitan area, automobiles are the main source of revenue on the Saginaw Subdivision, although other freight is important for the businesses too. Once a month, aBNSF Railway contractedPowder River Basin coal train works its way up the line. Plus, local freights diverging onto or off theLincoln Secondary use the Saginaw Sub to head to or from Toledo.
As of 2019, there is no passenger service on the Saginaw Subdivision.
In the computer game seriesTrainz, the Saginaw Subdivision is available as a user-created route on the Trainz Download Station. In Trainz 2010, it is available as a built-in route.