A Michigan Air-Line locomotive in action.
(MP25 Productions, Fair Use, Title 17, Section 107)
MICHIGAN AIR-LINE RAILWAY
Not to be confused with Michigan Air Line Railroad.
The Michigan Air–Line Railway (reporting mark MAL) was a short-line railroad in Oakland County, Michigan. It ran from West Bloomfield, Michigan to Wixom, Michigan, where it connected to CSX. The headquarters and station were in Walled Lake, Michigan. The name was owned by Railmark Holdings, Inc. The railroad ran its last Michigan Star Clipper Dinner Train on December 31, 2008.
On November 12, 2009, Railmark announced that it was selling the railroad to Browner Turnout.
With the Michigan Star Clipper Dinner Train no longer in service, the Eastern end of the railroad from Haggerty Rd. to Arrowhead Rd. (6.9 miles) was no longer needed and sold to West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation Commission. It was used to complete the West Bloomfield Trail.
On January 28, 2011, the railroad applied with federal officials to abandon its remaining 5.45 mile route from the interchange in Wixom to the end of track now at Haggerty Rd. Abandonment was approved on October 18, 2011. The remaining railroad was removed in spring of 2012.
The 5.45 miles which were removed in 2012 became the Michigan Airline Railway Trail, connected on the East to the West Bloomfield Trail and on the West to the Huron Valley Trail. All are key parts of the 240 miles long Michigan Air Line Trail which will follow the old Michigan Air Line Railroad across the state.
MP25 Productions- "On-Location Series"- MAL Railway
A film crew chased the Michigan Airline Railway, a small 5 mile shortline, based out of Walled Lake, Michigan. This stretch is the former Grand Trunk Western "Michigan Air Line" from Pontiac to South Lyon and beyond. Power for today's run was ABRX 1512, a former GTW SW1200 of the same number. The coach in the consist is former FEC "Ft. San Marco", a diner.
All the footage included was filmed with express written permission of MAL Railway officials and safety measures were taken. Never trespass on railroad property.
Michigan Air–Line Railway Overview
Headquarters: Walled Lake, Michigan
Reporting mark: MAL
Locale: Oakland County, Michigan
Dates of operation: 2006–2011
Predecessor: Coe Rail, Inc./Grand Trunk Western
Technical
Track gauge: 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Length: 8.07 miles
