The Ann Arbor Railroad is a Class III Railroad that operates fifty miles of track from Toledo, Ohio, to Osmer, Michigan. The railroad is operated by Watco and is based in Howell, Michigan. Prior to Watco's purchase of the railroad in 2013, the railroad was operated by the Ann Arbor Acquisition Corporation from 1988 to 2013, by the Michigan Interstate Railway from 1977 to 1988, and as a privately owned enterprise prior to 1977.
Current Operations
The Ann Arbor Railroad operates of track between its main terminal, Ottawa Yard, in Toledo, Ohio, and Ann Arbor, Michigan, the interchange point with the Great Lakes Central Railroad and Norfolk Southern. A branch line known as the Saline Branch stretches four miles from Pittsfield, Michigan, to Saline, Michigan. The Saline Branch has been used in the past to serve the Faurecia Automotive Components Plant located in Saline, Michigan, but is not currently being used in revenue service. The Ann Arbor Railroad also leases and operates an industrial lead in Toledo owned by the Norfolk Southern. Much of what the railroad transports is "bridge traffic" and is received at either end of the railroad and transported for interchange with another railroad at the opposite terminal. A variety of different cargoes are transported ranging from grain to liquefied petroleum gas to wooden poles. In Toledo, the railroad serves Chrysler transporting finished vehicles from the Toledo Complex.
Hallett Tower, the only remaining operational interlocking tower in Ohio, ceased operation in September 2019 with all dispatching duties being shifted to the dispatch center in Pittsburg, Kansas. While the tower itself is still standing, it is now being utilized by the signal dept.
The Ann Arbor Railroad is headquartered in Howell, Michigan. Its main business is serving manufacturers, especially the automobile industry.
Historical Operations
For 1895 to 1977, see Ann Arbor Railroad (1895–1976) For 1977 to 1988, see Michigan Interstate Railway
Current roster
Interchanges
Toledo, Ohio: Norfolk Southern CSX Canadian National Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Osmer, Michigan: Great Lakes Central Railroad Milan, Michigan: Norfolk Southern Diann, Michigan: Canadian National Indiana & Ohio Railway