![Ann Arbor 2368 at Pittsfield Jct. 2005 [Dale Berry]](/images/MIRR/AA2368atPittsfieldJct101305-5[DaleBerry].jpg "Ann Arbor 2368 at Pittsfield Jct. 2005 [Dale Berry]")
Watco group
The Watco group owns several Michigan railroad lines. Watco entered Michigan by purchasing the Grand Elk Railroad, a former NS line which runs from Elkhart, Indiana to Grand Rapids via Kalamazoo in 2008. In 2012, Watco purchased the Ann Arbor Railroad, with terminal operations in Toledo and a main line from the same city, north to Osmer, an interchange point with the Great Lakes Central north of Ann Arbor. A branch line from Pittsfield Jct. (south of Ann Arbor) to Saline services a large auto parts plant. In 2013, Watco and Federated Capital Holdings (owner of the Great Lakes Central) announced a strategic partnership and investment in GLC. Some GLC lines are owned by the State of Michigan and operated under lease.
The Great Lakes Central, which are included in the Watco group, operates a main line from Osmer (north of Ann Arbor) northwest to Petoskey, via Durand, Owosso, and Cadillac. It also has a branch line on the old Ann Arbor route west of Cadillac, and a branch from Walton Junction to Traverse City and beyond.
In 2022, WATCO took over operations of the former CN (original DSS&A) line from Trout Lake to Munising, as well as the dormant CN line between Wisconsin and White Pine, MI via Bergland. The latter line has not been used for more than 10 years. These lines in Michigan have been included in their Grand Elk railroad corporation.
They also assumed operation of the CN's former Algoma Central line north of Sault Ste. Marie and have said they will resume the seasonal sight-seeing operations,.
The NS and CN have trackage rights on the Ann Arbor line from Milan and Diann to Toledo. Auto parts are a major originator of traffic on the Ann Arbor line, and the Great Lakes Central handles a variety of traffic including grain and industrial sand. The Ann Arbor operation switches Toledo's Chrysler Jeep plant. The Great Lakes Central line is also home to the Steam Railroading Institute (with Pere Marquette 1225) in Owosoo and operates excursion trains during summer months for the SRI.
Website: Watco Group and Great Lakes Central.
Photo Above: Ann Arbor 2368 at Pittsfield Jct. 2005 [Dale Berry]
Photo Below: GLC 385 heads north with a freight train near Whitmore Lake, MI 2009 [Nathan Nietering]
![GLC 385 heads north with a freight train near Whitmore Lake, MI 2009 [Nathan Nietering]](/images/MIRR/GLC-385(GP35)atFiveMileRoadNearWhitmoreLakeMI062209[NathanNietering].jpg "GLC 385 heads north with a freight train near Whitmore Lake, MI 2009 [Nathan Nietering]")
News Feed from Google: Watco railroads
News Feed - Watco
16 May 2025
- Watco acquires Michigan railroad - FreightWaves
- A Kansas equity company is buying Michigan's Great Lakes Central Railroad. What we know - Lansing State Journal
- Watco Will Acquire Great Lakes Central Railroad - Railway Track and Structures
- Watco Signs Agreement to Acquire GLC - Railway Age
- Watco Acquires Great Lakes Central - Railfan & Railroad Magazine
- Watco to acquire Great Lakes Central Railroad - Railway Gazette International
- Rail News - Watco to acquire Great Lakes Central Railroad. For Railroad Career Professionals - Progressive Railroading
- Watco Expands with Great Lakes Central Railroad Acquisition - Railway Supply
- Watco Completes Major Projects in 2024 - Railway Age
- Watco to launch new Michigan short line after favorable STB ruling (2/2/2009) - Progressive Railroading
- Watco Tests Composite Ties - Railway Track and Structures
- Watco Acquires Great Lakes Central to Boost Michigan Rail Network - Railway Supply
- MSR: Improving Efficiencies to ‘Keep Railcars Moving’ - Railway Age
- Watco: 2024 Infrastructure Investments - Railway Track and Structures
- Small-Road Briefs: G&W, Watco - Railway Age
