1/3/13 - A Livingston County-based short-line railroad company has been sold. Watco Companies LLC of Kansas says it has a deal to buy the Ann Arbor Railroad, which is owned by the Ann Arbor Acquisition Corporation of Howell. The sale is pending approval from the Surface Transportation Board, which is expected in late January or early February. The Ann Arbor Railroad operates 50 miles of track between Ann Arbor and Toledo where it has terminals that serve General Motors, Chrysler and the Ford Motor Company. Meanwhile, Watco officials say once they take over the Ann Arbor Railroad, they will be open to discuss cooperation in the proposed WALLY line. WALLY, which stands for the Washtenaw and Livingston Line, has been proposed commuter rail line that would operate daily service between Howell and Ann Arbor. According to AnnArbor.com, plans for both WALLY and the City of Ann Arbor's proposed Allen Creek Greenway, which would develop a system of walking and biking trails along the tracks, hinge on acquisition of railway right-of-way from the company. Ann Arbor officials also have said the current ownership of the company has been an obstacle in the WALLY project and they look forward to the new owners taking over. (JK)
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