 Grand Elk (WAMX)#4124 is headed to
Grand Rapids. | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Kalamazoo, Michigan |
| Reporting mark | GDLK |
| Locale | Indiana and Michigan |
| Dates of operation | 2009– |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
The Grand Elk Railroad ( reporting mark GDLK) is a Class III railroad which operates in the states of Indiana and Michigan. It is one of 40+ short-line railroads owned by Watco.
The company leases a 123 miles (198 km) line from the Norfolk Southern running south from Grand Rapids, Michigan, through Kalamazoo, Michigan, to Elkhart, Indiana. The line they lease was a former Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad mainline from Grand Rapids to Kalamazoo. From Kalamazoo to Elkhart, IN they use a former Lake Shore & Michigan Southern branch. Watco projects 22,000 carloads per year from 55 customers. Operations began on March 8, 2009. [1]
The railroad connects with three larger railroads, the Norfolk Southern (Elkhart and Kalamazoo), CSX (Grand Rapids) and Canadian National ( Kalamazoo, Michigan via CN Kilgore Yard) as well as three short line railroads, the Marquette Rail (Grand Rapids), Grand Rapids Eastern Railroad (Grand Rapids), and Michigan Southern Railroad ( White Pigeon, Michigan). [2] [3] [4] [5]
References
- ^ Nixon, Alex (December 4, 2008). "Rail line lease sought". Kalamazoo Gazette. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
- ^ Wheelock, Chris; Shandra Martinez (2009-04-20). "Grand Elk roars into town". Grand Rapids Press. p. A10.
- ^ "Marquette Rail company website". Retrieved 2015-04-20.
- ^ "Grand Rapids Eastern Railroad company website". Retrieved 2015-04-20.
- ^ "Michigan Southern Railroad Co. company website". Retrieved 2015-04-20.