The track, predominantly state-owned and used for freight, is operated by the Great Lakes Central Railroad. About 95 percent of the tracks are in condition for passenger service. Small sections, like one outside Traverse City, only meet Federal Railroad Administration standards for freight use and would need to be improved.

In addition, controls that would allow freight operations and passenger trains to run at the same time would be federally required, said Chris Bagwell, Great Lakes Central's executive vice president and general manager.

He did not have a cost estimate but said installing what are known as positive train controls would involve "a full GPS system of the railroad" and improving locomotives and grade crossings so that if two trains are approaching each other, they would be able to communicate and brake.

The railroad is working with the Land Use Institute and providing information, Bagwell said. With MDOT and the institute, Great Lakes Central could run a test ride from Ann Arbor to Traverse City next summer, assessing the track and the time it would take.

MDOT's Hoeffner said additional questions include how much people would pay for tickets. "Most passenger service does not cover the operating cost from what the passengers pay," he said, "so where would the operating subsidy come from?

"That said, it's an interesting idea, and it is the type of thing that we work with the local communities on. If they have a vision or a concept, then we're here to work with them on it."

The Michigan Environmental Council is project manager on a $100,000 study examining another passenger rail route — connecting Detroit, Lansing, Grand Rapids and Holland. The council has been discussing A2TC with the Land Use Institute and hopes to be involved, perhaps contributing staff time or knowledge from the "Coast to Coast" study, Treutel said.

Also offering to share information is the, which is conducting a feasibility study on a host of brick-and-mortar issues associated with a nearly 27-mile proposed commuter service connecting Howell and Ann Arbor, said Michael Benham, a strategic planner for the authority. That stretch of track is part of the line that goes north to Traverse City.

The A2TC route envisions several community stops between Ann Arbor and Traverse City and a possible jog up to Petoskey.

One stop could be Mount Pleasant. That city's community services and economic development director, William Mrdeza, sees many possible benefits, including a new way for students to commute to, an asset to downtown development and a selling point to attract residents and tourism.

"And obviously all of that brings in some economic impact to the community as well," Mrdeza said. "I think we're really interested in seeing where this might go and if we can be a part of determining the feasibility."

With some of its crowdfunding money, the Land Use Institute expects this summer to create videos showing the impact the service might have on communities.