Save Our Trains Michigan
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http://www.utu.org/worksite/detail_news.cfm?ArticleID=37570
Amtrak service said continuing after track sale Railroad officials said Wednesday (Aug. 29) that Amtrak service between Ypsilanti and Kalamazoo is expected to continue after rail ownership changes hands, but some local officials remain skeptical of the passenger service's future, the Battle Creek Enquirer reports.
The railroad corridor currently is owned by Norfolk, Va.-based Norfolk Southern Corp., but the company is working on a deal to pass ownership and maintenance responsibilities to the smaller Pittsburg, Kan.-based Watco Cos. Inc.
Some skepticism was borne from the first-of-its-kind agreement that will create the Michigan Central Railway LLC, former U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz, R-Battle Creek, said.
"This deal sounds good, and I give Norfolk Southern and Watco credit for trying to put together a business agreement that will benefit the shippers in this line," Schwarz said. "It is, however, blazing a new trail as far as passenger rail is concerned.
"There is virtually no other place in the United States where Amtrak runs over short-line railroad."