Reporting mark GDLK Dates of operation 2009– Founded 2009 Parent organization Watco Companies | Locale Indiana and Michigan Headquarters Kalamazoo Date of operation 2009 | |
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Track gauge 4 ft 8 ⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge | ||
The grand elk railroad in kalamazoo
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 several short-line railroads owned by Watco Companies of Pittsburg, Kansas.
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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 Companies projects 22,000 carloads per year from 55 customers. Operations began on March 8, 2009.
The railroad connects with three larger railroads, the Norfolk Southern (Elkhart), CSX (Grand Rapids) and Canadian National (Kalamazoo, Michigan)(Via CK&S Line(Kalamazoo Spur.), 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).