Livingstone County and WALLY

In a follow-up to last week's post about WALLY, the proposed Ann Arbor-Howell commuter rail, the Detroit News has a price tag-$150,000-for the feasibility study and a breakdown of who's paying what. The last holdout? Livingstone County, which would need to cough up $30,000 between itself and local business groups. Full story.

Easter excursion

The Little River Railroad will run its annual Easter Bunny Express between Coldwater and Quincy March 21 & 22. Hat tip to Plugged In at the Citizen-Patriot.

WALLY moving forward

The Livingstone Press & Argus reports that the proposed Ann Arbor-Howell commuter rail ('WALLY' for Washtenaw-Livingstone counties) is still moving forward, if slowly. Trains would run over tracks owned by the Great Lakes Central Railroad.

New barrier crossing

The Examiner reports that MDOT and the Federal Railroad Administration are testing out a new grade crossing barricade in Van Buren township. The barricades rise out of the ground when a train approaches; cameras will monitor the behavior of drivers, if any, at the crossing.

Detroit Street Railways for the win?

Hat tip to National Railroad News for the exciting information that Detroit might be getting a light rail system. Crain's Detroit Business reports that there's private money behind a proposed 3.4-mile loop on Woodward between Hart Plaza and Grand Boulevard. The project is called the "Woodward Transit Catalyst Project." Local officials figure it'll give impetus to the proposed SEMCOG commuter rail project.