Bob Osborn

Chicago & Mackinac Railroad

The railroad that could have been.

Running from Fort Wayne, Indiana to Mackinaw City, Michigan, the Chicago & Mackinac Railroad (C&M) follows the ex-Pennsylvania Railroad (ex-Grand Rapids & Indiana (GR&I) Railroad) route through the western portion of Michigan's Lower Peninsula.

The C&M is modeled from Grand Rapids, through Cadillac and Petoskey, on it's way to Mackinaw City where it interchanges with northern railroads via the Great Lakes railroad car ferry, the Chief Wawatam, crossing the Straits of Mackinac and connecting with the one of our partners, the Soo Line, everyday to deliver railroad cars to Michigan's Upper Peninsula and beyond Operating positions consist of a superintendent/dispatcher, a yardmaster and 4 road crews to handle the switching duties which include the Grand Rapids Industrial District (the GRIND), Traverse City, Petoskey and Mackinaw City, along with the Chief Wawatum, a railroad car ferry out of Mackinaw City (north staging)

The C&M uses car cards & waybills to route traffic and is powered by CVP EasyDCC wireless throttles. It is an all ALCO railroad with most of the motive power having onboard sound. When operating, there is a 46" duck-under that may need to be negotiated.

Here's a link to the C&M's website: Chicago & Mackinac Railroad Webpage

Revised 10/20/2023