The modern Class II regional Michigan Interstate did not come about overnight. Its tracks and roots date back over 120 years of fictional history to establish its time and place in the world of ffreelance model railroads. To understand the present we must go back to its beginning.

Early Years

Two railroads set on taming the Michigan landscape are what helped create the modern day MCIS starting on two very different paths. Chartered in 1885 the Mackinac Northern Railroad aimed to build south from the Mackinac Straits into central lower Michigan. This line got as far as Clare connecting with the C&O. On the east side of the state the St. Clair & Western Railroad was chartered in 1890 building east to Mount Pleasant by 1905 connecting with the C&O. As with many independent roads in the 1940s larger carriers purchases up these lines to create sprawling networks. First to be acquired was the SCW in 1941 becoming a Michigan Central Subsidiary and finally MCNR in 1947 by Grand Trunk.

Rationalizing

The prosperity that had helped establish these railroads in the early days had fallen away causing both of carriers to put up the railroads for sale. First on the chopping block was the St. Clair Western being put up for sale by Penn Central in 1975 during their bankruptcy proceedings. A group of investors formed the Lakes Interstate Transportation Group to purchase and operate the railroad. With its sale came locomotives, various equipment, and over 300 covered hoppers mandated through the ICC / MDOT to ensure Michigan farmers would still be able to transport their harvest to market. With a clean sheet and a mixture of equipment the SCW began a new life as the Michigan Interstate Railway (MCTR) on January 1 st , 1976. Through the late seventies and early eighties the railroad continued to add track segments across the west side of the state through Conrail’s network rationalization and the State Rail Load program. In 1984 the Mackinac Northern was put up for sale by Grand Trunk Western. Lakes Interstate Transportation Group purchased the property and then began preparations to combine the two properties. On March 29, 1985 the two entities were merged becoming the Michigan Interstate Railroad with reporting marks (MCIS) and (MCTR). Following this transaction the MCIS added various branch lines from CSX and Conrail through a MDOT rail program. As a result of this growth some duplicate trackage was abandoned, rail banked back to the state in favor of the shorter route or trackage rights.

Network Growth

With an aligned vision and network, Michigan Interstate Railroad began its journey through the late eighties toward the twenty first century. As an alternative to Chicago congestion the MCIS sought to strengthen ties with its upper peninsula partner, the Wisconsin & Upper Michigan through reciprocal haulage agreements and equipment pooling between railroads. This led to the formation of subsidiary Mackinac Bridge Transfer Company (reporting marks: MCBT) as a neutral pool that both railroads could utilize for equipment. This partnership offered competitive options for shippers looking to go east or west utilizing from any part of Michigan. In 1995 MCIS purchased controlling interest in short line Mackinac & Cedarville Railroad (reporting marks: MAC) that interchanged with the W&UM at Trout Lake. Traffic on MAC consisted of inbound and outbound commodities related to dolomite quarry operations on the eastern side of the upper peninsula. Adding MAC to the stable of railroads was just a preview of what was to come. The close partnership between MCIS and W&UM led to Michigan Interstate’s parent company purchasing Wisconsin & Upper Michigan in 2019 allowing the two railroads to operate as one route with two divisions (North – W&UM) and (South – MCIS). In 2022 Lakes Interstate Transportation was renamed MAC Transportation. The railroad celebrated its 40th year in operation in 2025.