July 10:  The State Legislature creates the Southeastern Michigan Transportation Authority (SEMTA) to plan, operate and improve commuter service, including rail, in seven counties.  SEMTA eventually operates Detroit-Pontiac commuter service on GTW's line.   [MDOT]

Fall:  LS&I installs a high-speed scale at Eagle Mills with automatic care identification.  Ore cars are weighed during departure from Eagle Mills and the ACI system weighs and identifies the cars.  [LSIOR]

December 3:  The New York Central discontinues operation of the 20th Century Limited, which began in 1902. [LS]

The Gogebic Range (iron) closes, the first range in the Upper Peninsula to completely cease operations.  [MSL]

Soo Line depot at Hermansville is closed.  [SOO-10/1991]

The New York Central continues its abandonment of the Old Road, started in 1962.  This year, they abandoned the section from Clayton to Hudson, about 5 miles.  [GM]

The Copper Range Company shuts down of their Champion Mine and Freda Mill, impacting freight revenues by 47% on the Copper Range Railroad.  [CRAR]

Thrall introduces the all-door boxcar.  [SAM]