![LSRC 3500 makes up a southbound train at Alpena Jct. 2007 [Dale Berry photo]](/images/MIRR/LCRS3500MakesUpSBTrainAtalpenaJct071807-15[DaleBerry].jpg "LSRC 3500 makes up a southbound train at Alpena Jct. 2007 [Dale Berry photo]")
Lake State Railway
The Lake State Railway started by purchasing the Detroit & Mackinac Railway between Rogers City and Bay City via Alpena. Later it leased CSX lines from Midland via Saginaw to just north of Flint which it operated as the Saginaw Bay Southern. In 2019, the railroad leased the former CSX line from Plymouth north to Flint, giving it a through route from the Detroit area into northern Michigan.
The northern end of the D&M line was pulled up north of Alpena, and the north end of the former New York Central has been pulled up north of Gaylord.
Much of the LSRC north of Bay City is aggregate traffic, mostly gravel/limestone quarried in Alpena which is brought south to trans-load facilities. Major customers of the company are Dow Chemical, LaFarge and others. The LSRC originally powered the line with old ALCO diesel locomotives purchased from the D&M, but the line began converting to EMD products which is fully complete. The company's major engine facility and operations headquarters is at the former CSX yard in Saginaw.
In 2005, the CSX sold its Wixom (via Flint) to Saginaw main line to the LSRC, along with branches to Bay City, Midland and Paines. LSRC freight trains interchange with the CSX at Novi or Wixom and there is often a shared power arrangement to Toledo.
Website: Lake State Railway
Photo: LSRC 3500 makes up a southbound train at Alpena Jct. 2007 [Dale Berry photo]
News Feed from Google: Lake State Railway
News Feed - Lake State Ry
25 April 2025
- Train derailment closes Saginaw Township roadway near Tittabawassee River - MLive.com
- Train derails next to Saginaw River - abc12.com
- Lake State Railway leadership changes see Stickel named CEO - trains.com
- Train derails in Saginaw; railroad crossings closed for cleanup - The Detroit News
- PHOTOS: Train derails in Saginaw - WWMT
- Work begins for USG rail spur in Alabaster - Iosco County News Herald
- Ludington awarded $16.4M for rail improvements - Manistee News Advocate
- For LSRC, Changes at the Top - Railway Age
- New federal funding announced to help improve mid-Michigan railroad infrastructure - WNEM
- PHOTOS: Train derails in Saginaw - WEYI
- Train derails along river in Saginaw - Audacy
- CRISI infrastructure grants make a big impact on small railroads - trains.com
- Clean-up and investigation continue into Saginaw train derailment - abc12.com
- Lake State Railway Company Archives - SMART Union
- Michigan secures $119M to improve rail safety and cut train disruptions - MLive.com
