CN is selling off the Algoma Central Railway, along with lines south of the border.
The Montreal-based railway's announced a deal to sell "non-core lines and assets on the Soo subdivision" from Sault Ste. Marie to Oba - about 250 miles of track - along with roughly 650 miles of branch lines of Wisconsin Central Ltd. in Wisconsin and Michigan.
The purchaser is service and logistics company Watco, one of the largest short-line railroad holding companies in the US, with more than 5000 miles of track while railroads controlled by Watco currently operate over 600 miles of track in Wisconsin.
In addition to promising to continue freight operations on the Algoma Central line - and the Agawa Canyon Train Tour - Watco's signed a memorandum of understanding with the Missanabie Cree First Nation regarding "partnership opportunities for the Algoma Central Railway".
Missanabie Cree's been trying for years to revive passenger service on the line - which halted in July 2015 - though it's unclear whether this change in ownership for the line means the Mask-Wa Oo-Ta-Ban - or "Bear Train" - proposal's gaining traction.