Over 30 years ago, the former rail lines of the Wabash Railroad and New York Central were nearly abandoned after decades of disuse and disinvestment.

Concerned for industries like theirs, the owners of the South Milford Grain Company created the Pigeon River Railroad to preserve rail service to the general railroad system in Indiana and later acquired the Hillsdale County Railway in Michigan to take over operations of what was initially 140 miles of near derelict rail infrastructure. The Indiana Northeastern Railroad Company was formed to slowly rehabilitate the line and guarantee rail service to the largely agrarian region.

Through numerous track rehabilitation projects, bridge and culvert replacements, and careful management of its resources, the Indiana Northeastern has been transformed into a stable and dependable operation capable of handling its diverse flow of traffic.

Today, the Indiana Northeastern, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation and Branch County Rail Users, carries over 7,000 car loads a year and services over 25 customers in three states.