On May 14, Lake State Railway and officials from various state agencies, along with Michigan's senators, assembled in Saginaw, Michigan, for the awarding of the Short Line of the Year by Railway Age Senior Editor, Stu Chirls. The event was marked with the first LSRC locomotive wearing a special decal commemorating the 2018 award. The locomotive, SD40-2 6301, is attached to the office car special train for a variety of trips commencing.
Although most only provide freight service, regional railroads have passenger operations; not only executive trains but also charity events and excursions.