Michigan-based Class II Lake State Railway Company (LSRC), Railway Age’s 2021 Regional of the Year and 2018 Short Line of the Year, has rolled out a locomotive in a heritage scheme inspired by the Pere Marquette Railway, one of its antecedents,
Redone at LSRC’s Saginaw shops, No. 6437, a former Union Pacific SD70M, was rechristened “Spirit of Pere Marquette” with a tribute livery conceived by second-generation LSRC railroader Travis Vongrey, former conductor, engineer, yardmaster and now supervisor of yard operations. Vongrey’s concept art was based on E7 locomotives that pulled the Pere Marquettes, streamlined passenger trains that made daily trips serving Detroit, Lansing and Grand Rapids. Vongrey’s designs were given to LSRC consultants who developed technical specifications based on historical research. Southern Pride Equipment Painting of Sharpsburg, Ga., performed the painting and detailing.
CEO Mike Stickel embraced Vongrey’s concept as a spirited tribute to LSRC’s history, remarking, “Travis has created something really special that reflects the pride and satisfaction all our people share in shaping the future of rail transportation in Michigan, while staying mindful of our rich heritage. We’re all thrilled to see his design come to life as part of our modern fleet.”
A significant portion of the LSRC network was built and operated by the Pere Marquette Railway, primarily segments of the original corridors between Saginaw, Midland and Ludington.
Established in 1992, LSRC operates on a route structure of approximately 375 track-miles with six connecting railroad interchanges. The company maintains headquarters and shop facilities in Saginaw and terminals in Plymouth, Flint, Midland, Bay City, Gaylord and Alpena. Annual freight volume is approximately 60,000 carloads and serves a diversified mix of end markets, including automotive, aggregates, cement, agriculture, forest products, metals, chemicals and others. Antin Infrastructure Partners, a private equity firm focused on infrastructure investments in Europe and North America with offices in New York, London and Paris, acquired LSRC in 2022.
