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| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Reporting mark | AA |
| Locale | Michigan |
| Dates of operation | 1977 (1977)–1988 (1988) |
| Successor | Ann Arbor Railroad |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm)standard gauge |
TheMichigan Interstate Railway (reporting markAA) was formed on August 27, 1977, to operate theAnn Arbor Railroad main line fromToledo, Ohio, toElberta, Michigan. It succeededConrail as the designated operator of the line; Conrail had operated the line since 1976, following theAnn Arbor Railroad's bankruptcy.
The Ann Arbor Railroad (1895–1976) had declaredbankruptcy and was included in the assets ofConrail, formed on April 1, 1976. The MIRC operated until October 7, 1988, when theAnn Arbor Acquisition Corporation acquired all assets.
The Michigan Interstate Railway operated over theAnn Arbor Railroad main line fromToledo, Ohio toElberta, Michigan. The MIRC assumed operations fromConrail on October 1, 1977, and operated until October 7, 1988.[1]Elberta was the site of the railroad's ferry operations. The ferry operations ceased in April 1982 and service north ofCadillac, Michigan was reduced to a sand pit just south of Yuma, Michigan. Additionally, theTuscola and Saginaw Bay Railway acquired operations north ofAnn Arbor, Michigan in 1982. In 1983, the MIRC filed for reorganization and the trustee for the estate purchased the remaining portion of the MIRC fromToledo, Ohio toAnn Arbor, Michigan in September 1985.[2] The MIRC continued to operate until October 7, 1988, when all assets were acquired by theAnn Arbor Acquisition Corporation.
The Michigan Interstate Railway operated equipment that had been used by the previous operator, theAnn Arbor Railroad. TheAnn Arbor Railroad purchased ten newEMD GP35s in 1962 that were built and delivered in 1963. When the MIRC assumed operations in 1977, theEMD GP35s were in a state of disrepair. The MIRC rebuilt eight of theEMD GP35s for service. Additionally, the MIRC also operated threeALCO S-3s, twoALCO RS-1s, and twoALCO RS-2s.
