Lake Line Division

[Saturnalia]

Marquette Rail’s Proposed “Lake Line Division”

Marquette Rail (MQT) is trying to rebuild the old Grand Rapids, Grand Haven & Muskegon Railway. The old interurban, built in the early 1900s and abandoned some 80 years ago, was a key transportation entity during the first few decades of the 20th Century.
Marquette Rail is seeking to rebuild the Line to Muskegon, and also provide a similar interurban passenger service to Holland, Grand Haven, Ludington, Manistee, Saugatuck, and Benton Harbor using its existing lines as well.
The rebuilt Lake Line would provide passenger service year-round, with lots of summer action bringing tourists quickly and cheaply around West Michigan. Among the proposals are:
• Intermediate stops in: Walker, Marne, Coopersville, Nunica, and Fruitport
• Freight service would be offered to both private businesses and governments, including mechanical overhauls of equipment at MQT’s Shops in Grand Rapids
• A New Grand Rapids Passenger Station, located just to the south of the Grand Valley State Universities’ GR Campus
• And, use the railroad as access to waterways for DNR fish hatchery programs

The Proposed Line doesn’t follow the old line exactly. It would turn off of the existing “Baldwin Subdivision” onto the old Grand Trunk Line, currently owned by MQT’s Coopersville & Marne. These tracks would be used to their current end point just west of Coopersville. From that point, the line would be rebuilt along the former Right of Way (to the immediate north or east of all existing roads built on the former ROW to I-96 west of Fruitport. At the I-96 crossing, the line would duck into the interstate’s right of way, running down the median until the bridge with MQT’s Freemont Sub, where the line would join it at the old causeway over Mona Lake, using the Freemont Sub to get to downtown Muskegon.
Under this proposal, all existing trackage would be brought up to 70 MPH passenger standards.
In order to win support for those who own property on the old ROW, MQT is willing to offer cash, company stock, a small share of the profits, and lifetime passes for the interurban network in return for the right of way.
All city and township boards affected will meet at LC Walker arena on Tuesday, April 3rd to see the proposal, and votes for each govt will take place on Wednesday Evening. Private Citizens affected are also encouraged to come to the meeting to sign contracts for the land.
Govt Terms for land use will vary, but for the sake of this press release, a few of the deals contain: free servicing of machinery, free freight service, and free passes for govt workers while on their job.


MQT3001
President and CEO
Marquette Rail, Inc


***Disclaimer: NOT A REAL RAILROAD!!!!!!!***

[Saturnalia]

The Proposal was passed by EVERY munincipality, and only a few dozen property owners holding out. The ROW over private land will be 10ft, with the area over Public property, starting IMMEDIETLY and the road shoulder, will be at least 20ft, but will vary. That land that will be co-owned by the respective agency.

Grading on the ROW is slated for September, that is if the private landowners sign on by June.

[Saturnalia]

only 38 land owners not signed on