The mainline of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad reached
2200 miles from Chicago to the west coast ports of Seattle and Tacoma.
The Last Spike ceremony took place on May 14, 1909 in Gold Creek, Montana,
marking the official completion of the line.
Although the Milwaukee Road had the shortest route between Chicago and Seattle, it had to cross 5 mountain ranges. These were the Belt, Rocky, Bitterroot, Saddle and Cascade Mountains. The decision was made to electrify the Rocky Mountain and
Coast Divisions, powered by 28 substations. 22 were actually built, of which 7 still exist. The line also required 51 tunnels, more than the competing Great Northern and Northern Pacific routes. This line also had 10 bridges were I consider significant. These crossed the Mississippi River at La Crosse, Hastings and Minneapolis, the Missouri River at Mobridge and Lombard, the Yellowstone River at Calypso, Tusler and Paragon, Lake Chatcolet at Benewah, and the Columbia River at Beverly. The CMSP&P was granted trackage rights into Portland during March 1971, and the use
of a second bridge crossing the Columbia River, north of Portland.
To reach Seattle and Tacoma from Chicago, the CMSP&P required 2,178 route miles. A slim majority of this trackage remains in use, almost all of it on the eastern of of the line. These 1,139 miles are divided amoung 8 operators-
BNSF Railway, 507 miles, in ND, SD and MT
Canadian Pacific, 394 miles, in IL, WI and MN
Twin Cities and Western, 143 miles, in Minnesota
Metra, 32 miles, in Illinois
Union Pacific, 28 miles, in Washington
St. Maries River, 20 miles, in Idaho
Columbia Basin, 13 miles, in Washington
Trinity Railcar, 2 miles, in Montana
This is a 16 page booklet of CMSP&P history.
Cover1 Cover2 Page 1 Page 2 Page 3
Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8
Page 9 Page10 Page11 Page12 Page13
Page14 Page15 Page16 Cover3 Cover4
Further information on the Milwaukee Road can be found on Wikipedia.
Wikipedia-CMSP&P
These are links to 1973 and 1944 system maps of the CMSP&P.
webhome.idirect.com mrcd.1944
Illinois
From Chicago the Milwaukee Road traveled 48 miles north to Wisconsin.
Metra, the Chicago commuter railroad, owns the first 32 miles to Rondout,
while Canadian Pacific has the following 16 miles to the border.
The starting point of mainline was Chicago Union Station.
The Station was built in 1925 and owned by the Pennsylvania (50%), CB&Q (25%)
and the CMSP&P (25%). The Milwaukee and the PRR used the 10 northern tracks
while the PRR, CB&Q and the GM&O used the southern 18 tracks.
Amtrak took over the Milwaukee Road's intercity passenger trains on May 1, 1971.
Metra (the Regional Transportation Authority) operates the former CMSP&P
commuter trains to the west and north.
This aerial view of C.U.S. shows the waiting room building west of Canal Street
while the concourse is under the office building on the east side of Canal Street.
There was a concourse building here until 1967.
Wikimapia Wikipedia trainweb.org hebners.net
This is a photograph of the Afternoon Hiawatha leaving
Chicago Union Station in 1947 behind DL 109 14.
rr-fallenflags.org
Intercity trains still operating at the start of Amtrak ran west to Omaha,
northwest to Madison and north to Milwaukee with the Morning Hiawatha running
on to Minneapolis. Power included 5 FP45 locomotives which were later used in
freight service, although they lacked dynamic brakes.
rrpicturearchives.net
On January 1st, 1986 Metra purchased the Milwaukee Road mainline from
Chicago Union Station to Rondout, IL, and on to Fox Lake as well as west to
Big Timber Road (near Elgin). Until recently the commuter trains were handled by
a fleet of F40C locomotives.
rrpicturearchives.net
At mile 2.9 is tower A2, Western Avenue and this Metra facility.
Wikimapia Wikipedia-Metra
Tower A5 (Pacific Junction) is at mile 5.4. The Elgin sub runs west of here
through Elgin to Big Timber Road at mile 39.8 were ownership under
Iowa, Chicago and Eastern begins. The C&M subdivision continues to the north.
Wikimapia
The line running to the east was called the Bloomingdale Line.
chicagoswitching.com
The Wisconsin and Southern has trackage rights over this line into Chicago.
Here is a WSOR train in Morton Grove.
rrpicturearchives.net
Glenview, Il, at mile 17.7, is a stop for the Empire Builder and the Hiawathas.
Wikimapia trainweb.org hebners.net
Northbrook is the location of Techny Junction, where the CMSP&P line passes
under the Union Pacific (former Chicago and North Western) line heading to
Proviso Yard. Milwaukee Road freight trains from the north would swing onto this
line on their way to Bensenville Yard.
Wikimapia
Bensenville Yard lies just south of O'Hare Airport.
Wikimapia rrpicturearchives.net
At mile 32.3 is the junction of Rondout where the tower is still manned.
The Elgin, Joliet and Eastern crosses here heading northeast to Waukegan.
The former Chicago, North Shore and Milwaukee Mundelein branch ran under the CMSP&P line. Metra's line to Fox Lake swings off to the west and Canadian Pacific ownership begins on the line heading for Milwaukee.
Wikimapia
Here is a shot of the Rondout tower.
rrpicturearchives.net
GP38-2 358 heads north past Rondout Tower during 1980.
rr-fallenflags.org
WISCONSIN
Canadian Pacific currently owns the 235 mile mainline across Wisconsin, from Illinois through Milwaukee and on into Minnesota.
Here is an up to date railmap of Wisconsin.
dot.wisconsin.gov
Mile 61.8 is Sturtevant and the junction with the "Southwestern" line which went through Beloit and joined the line to Kansas City at Kittredge until 1978. Today Canadian Pacific uses it to Kansasville, about 10 miles to the west.
Amtrak's Hiawathas stop here at a new Station.
Wikimapia trainweb.org rrpicturearchives.net
Mile 69.4 is Caledonia where this 1960 shot of a Hiawatha passenger train
was taken.
Wikimapia rrpicturearchives.net CMSP&P-Hiawathas
Another stop for the Hiawathas is the new Milwaukee Airport Station.
Wikimapia trainweb.org Amtrak-Hiawathas
The mainline used this bridge over the Menomonee to enter downtown.
Wikimapia rrpicturearchives.net
Milwaukee is at mile 85.7. The C&M subdivision ends and the Watertown Subdivision begins heading west. In the 1950s the line from Milwaukee to Minneapolis was part
of the La Crosse Division. This Terraserver image shows the line crossing the bridge
and running under the US Post Office building before getting to the station.
Wikimapia rrpicturearchives.net trainweb.org
This is a poster of one of CMSP&P's Atlantic 4-4-2 passenger locomotives.
rrpicturearchives.net
Here is some information on Atlantics.
trains.com
The Milwaukee Road was a good customer of Fairbanks Morse, buying 152
of the 1,460 Fairbanks Morse locomotives constructed.
Along with H10-44, H12-44, H16-44 and H16-66 frieght locomotives, they had
18 C-Liners and 20 Erie-Builds. The C-Liners included 12 A units and 6 B units which started arriving in July 1951. CFA 16-4 26A was traded in to EMD in 1968 and is pictured here.
rrpicturearchives.net
West of the station the CMSP&P had their huge shops and several yards
which took up almost everything in this image.
terraserver.microsoft.com
The heart of the Milwaukee Road was the shops in Milwaukee.
rr-fallenflags.org rr-fallenflags.org
Here is a photo of the yards from the age of steam.
rrpicturearchives.net
Between Wauwatosa and Elm Grove the mainline passes under the former
C&NW mainline heading for Butler yard.
Wikimapia
Duplainville is at mile 102.2 where there is a crossing and connection with a
Canadian National line, which was Soo Line's and then regional Wisconsin Central.
Wikimapia Photos
Mile 104.2 is Pewaukee where the line runs beside the lake.
rrpicturearchives.net Wikimapia
Mile 117.9 is Oconomowoc, and here is a recent shot of Canadian Pacific
GP38-2 4521, formerly a GP40X.
rrpicturearchives.net Wikimapia
Here is a train on Terraserver at Oconomowoc.
terraserver.microsoft.com
Watertown is at mile 131.2 where a Union Pacific (C&NW) line down to
Fort Atkinson is crossed. The mainline runs northwest while the line to Madison
runs to the west, which is now a Wisconsin and Southern line.
terraserver.microsoft.com Photos
Amtrak uses the 1906 Milwaukee Road Station in Columbus.
terraserver.microsoft.com trainweb.org
GP40-2 2002 leads a Sprint train through Fall River Wisconsin during 1982.
rr-fallenflags.org
Here is a westbound near Rio.
terraserver.microsoft.com
At mile 178.2 is Portage, where the Watertown subdivision ends and the Tomah subdivision begins. This is a crew change location and a stop for the Empire Builder.
terraserver.microsoft.com Photos trainweb.org
The M&P subdivision runs south from Portage to Madison and serves the
Columbia power plant, which the CMSP&P began serving in Oct. 1974.
terraserver.microsoft.com
At mile 195.1 is Wisconsin Dells, another stop for the Empire Builder.
Here is a shot of F7A 70A leading a train.
The 70A was acquired in July 1950 and retired in May 1980.
rrpicturearchives.net trainweb.org
On the west side of Wisconsin Dells is this bridge over the Wisconsin River.
rr-fallenflags.org rr-fallenflags.org
And another view of the bridge.
rrpicturearchives.net terraserver.microsoft.com
New Lisbon is at mile 221.2. This is the junction with the Wisconsin Valley Line
now owned by Canadian National.
terraserver.microsoft.com
This is a photograph of the old coaling tower in New Lisbon.
rrpicturearchives.net
Here is an aerial view of a westbound at Camp Douglas.
terraserver.microsoft.com
Tomah is served by the Empire Builder.
rrpicturearchives.net trainweb.org terraserver.microsoft.com
The CMSP&P and the Chicago and North Western built parallel lines between
Tomah and La Crosse. During 1973 the C&NW tunnel at Tunnel City collapsed so the North Western arranged trackage rights over the Milwaukee and tore up their line.
This is an aerial image of two westbounds in 1999 about to enter the tunnel.
terraserver.microsoft.com
This is a photo from 1985 showing an eastbound Milwaukee Road freight
coming out of the tunnel. In the lead is SD40-2 147 which arrived in July 1972.
rrpicturearchives.net
The Milwaukee Road called this Tunnel #1. There were 51 tunnels
between Chicago and Seattle, and this is one of two still in use.
Altogether, there was a total of 64 on the Milwaukee Road, of which 8 are
currently in service. The Soo line had studied daylighting this tunnel.
The C&NW tunnel was just to the north.
terraserver.microsoft.com
Mile 265.5 is Sparta where this 1972 shot of 572 and 573 was taken.
The CMSP&P had 6 of these RSD 5 locomotives which came in 1953.
The 572 was scrapped in the Milwaukee's shops in 1976.
rrpicturearchives.net
Here is a CMSP&P Diesel Roster by Fred Hyde.
trainweb.org/milwaukee
Mile 265.0 is Bangor where this Canadian Pacific train lead by Soo Line 4506
was shot in 2004.
rrpicturearchives.net terraserver.microsoft.com
West Salem is the location of this 1984 photograph of CMSP&P SD40-2 186 on the point of this train. This locomotive joined the Soo Line and then went to GATX.
rrpicturearchives.net terraserver.microsoft.com
In La Crosse at Grand Junction is a busy crossing with the BNSF.
Here is a photo from 1984 of Milwaukee Road GP40 2001 at the crossing.
Until January 28, 1991 this was the last continuously manned tower in Wisconsin.
rrpicturearchives.net wikimapia.org
The Empire Builder uses the Station in La Crosse.
wikimapia.org rrpicturearchives.net trainweb.org
La Crosse had a roundhouse in the wye, between
the station to the east and the Black River drawbridge to the west.
wikimapia.org
GP38-2 4411 is shown going over the Black River drawbridge.
rrpicturearchives.net wikimapia.org
The Mississippi River is crossed with a total of 4 separate bridges, including a swing span along the Minnesota shore and a draw span on the Wisconsin side.
This crossing opened on November 27, 1876.
wikimapia.org Johnweeks.Mainchannel Johnweeks.Eastchannel Johnweeks.Frenchslough Johnweeks.Blackriver
MINNESOTA
The Milwaukee Road's route through the Gopher State to the South Dakota border
ran 316 miles, of which 7 have been abandoned. This involves 2 miles from
South Minneapolis to the Minneapolis Station, and 5 miles running west to
Bass Lake. The remaining trackage is operated by Canadian Pacific, 143 miles,
Twin Cities and Western, 143 miles, and BNSF, 23 miles.
Minnesota DOT state rail maps.
www.dot.state.mn.us
At River Junction the mainline heads northwest towards Minneapolis,
while another route to Kansas City follows the Mississippi River southward.
wikimapia.org
Here are some pictures of Milwaukee Road action around River Junction.
rrpicturearchives.net rrpicturearchives.net
rrpicturearchives.net rrpicturearchives.net
The line south of River Junction is now the Iowa, Chicago and Eastern.
This had been the Dubuque subdivision.
rrpicturearchives.net
The line north of River Junction to St. Paul Yard is the River subdivision.
This is a shot of Soo Line 4437 leading a train through Dresbach.
rrpicturearchives.net wikimapia.org
This is another Soo Line train with 772 up front going through Dakota, Minnesota.
rrpicturearchives.net wikimapia.org
FP7A 98C leads the Twin Cities Hiawatha along the Mississippi River.
rr-fallenflags.org
The 1888 CM&StP Station in Winona is still in service with Amtrak.
rrpicturearchives.net trainweb.org wikimapia.org
The Milwaukee Road owned 6 bridges across the Mississippi River, three of which
were on the mainline, at La Crosse, WI, Hastings, MN, and Minneapolis, MN.
The other three were between Savanna and Sabula, and the pontoon bridges
near Wabasha, MN, and at Prairie du Chien, WI. The bridges of other railroads
were used at four other crossings, the DRI&NW bridge at Davenport, the C&NW
bridge in St. Paul, and two bridges at Winona. East of the City was a joint
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy-Green Bay and Western bridge that was
used to reach the Eau Claire branch from 1952 until 1979.
Google image Photo article article article
The Milwaukee Road also used the Winona and St. Peter bridge at Winona,
beginning in 1872 for a Milwaukee to Minneapolis route. During 1876 the railroad
opened it's own route between La Crosse and Winona up the west bank.
Google image USACE article Photo Johnweeks.Winona
Milwaukee Road SD40-2s 200 and 143 are shown here running south through Wabasha, mile 341
rrpicturearchives.net wikimapia.org
Just north of Wabasha is Reads Landing. Until 1952 the CMSP&P had a
pontoon bridge over the Mississippi river as part of a line to Eau Claire.
wikimapia.org
This is an aerial view of a northbound in Lake City, mile 353.8.
terraserver.microsoft.com rrpicturearchives.net
Red Wing has a beautiful station used by the Empire Builder.
trainweb.org hebners.net wikimapia.org rrpicturearchives.net
Mile 391.1 is Hastings where this recent view shows Canadian Pacific
AC4400CW 8548 beside the station after crossing the Mississippi.
rrpicturearchives.net wikimapia.org
This is one of three operating lift bridges over the Mississippi and it first opened
in December 1871.
wikimapia.org Johnweeks.Hastings Photo Photo Wikipedia
St. Croix is at mile 392.1. The former Milwaukee Road from the south meets
the BNSF line coming from the east in this view and they operate as
joint trackage to St. Paul yard.
wikimapia.org
At mile 407.4 is St. Paul yard, commonly known as Pig's Eye.
The BNSF Dayton's bluff yard runs along the east side.
wikimapia.org
The locomotive facility is at the north end.
wikimapia.org
The Milwaukee Road had a wide variety of power in St. Paul over the years.
Baldwin AS 616 561(1951) rrpicturearchives.net
Baldwin S12 907 (1953) rrpicturearchives.net
Baldwin DS4-4 1000 946 rrpicturearchives.net
GE U25B 5003 (1965) rrpicturearchives.net
GE U28B 5500 (1966) rrpicturearchives.net
EMD FP7A 92A (1950) rrpicturearchives.net
EMD GP20 950 (ex GP9) rrpicturearchives.net
EMD GP38-2 355 (1973) rrpicturearchives.net
EMD GP40 2059 (1968) rrpicturearchives.net
EMD SD10 545 (ex SD7) rrpicturearchives.net
EMD SDL39 581 (1969) rrpicturearchives.net
EMD MP15AC 463 (1976) rrpicturearchives.net
The line west of St. Paul yard is now the Merriam Park subdivision. This image
shows St. Paul Union Depot, which opened in 1920 and closed on April 30, 1971.
wikimapia.org wikipedia.org
Fordson Juction is at mile 412.0, beside the power plant. The mainline heads
west and a spur line goes southwest to the Ford plant. A third line crosses the
Mississippi on the old Omaha Road bridge and used to go down to Iowa.
wikimapia.org
Mile 416.0 is Merriam Park, where Amtrak's Empire Builder leaves the former
CMSP&P and uses Minnesota Commercial trackage to reach Midway Station.
wikimapia.org
This is a view of the Short Line Bridge crossing the Mississippi River.
wikimapia.org rrpicturearchives.net Photos
Wikipedia Johnweeks.Shortline
South Minneapolis at mile 419 had a junction of Milwaukee Road north-south and east-west lines. The mileposts followed the passenger train route from the east and then to the north for two miles to the Minneapolis station and then back here before heading west. A through freight train would jump from mile 419 to mile 423.
Minnesota Commercial operates a two mile spur running south from here.
The line to the north and the next four miles to the west has been removed.
wikimapia.org
Minnesota Commercial has greatly expanded over the last few years,
adding trackage from the former Milwaukee Road and several other railroad lines
throughout the region.
mnnr.net/ mnnr.org/
This Terraserver image from 1991 shows how the junction used to look.
terraserver.microsoft.com
The Minneapolis Station opened in 1898 and hosted passenger service until
May 1971. The railroad used the office space until selling the building in 1984.
wikimapia.org wikipedia.org
These are some pictures some of the locomotives seen in Minneapolis.
ALCo RSC-2 592 (1947) rrpicturearchives.net
ALCo S4 802 (1951) rrpicturearchives.net
GE U30C 5652 (1974) rrpicturearchives.net
EMD F3A 82A (1949) rrpicturearchives.net
EMD F7A 88C (1949) rrpicturearchives.net
EMD GP35 1501 (1965) rrpicturearchives.net
EMD FP45 1 (1968) rrpicturearchives.net
Minneapolis purchased the ROW from South Minneapolis to Bass Lake at
mile 428.0 for future rapid transit use in 1992. The track has been removed and
trains detour to the north using a piece of Minneapolis and St. Louis track now
owned by the Twin Cities and Western. This image shows an eastbound train
with its last 4 cars on the former CMSP&P.
wikimapia.org
At mile 429.4 is St. Louis Park where the former MN&S crosses overhead.
wikimapia.org
Hopkins at mile 431.8 was the end of the La Crosse Division and the start of the Aberdeen Division.
wikimapia.org
This is an aerial showing an eastbound crossing Shady Oak Lake in Minnetonka.
wikimapia.org
Canadian Pacific ownership comes to an end at Tower E 14 which is mile 435.0.
This was a crossing with the Minneapolis and St. Louis. The line west from here
to Appleton was sold to the Twin Cities and Western in April, 1991.
wikimapia.org
This is a photograph of two CMSP&P SD40-2s passing through Chanhassen.
rrpicturearchives.net wikimapia.org
At Norwood, mile 461, was a crossing with another Minneapolis and St. Louis line.
The Twin Cities and Western has been operating this line to Hanley Falls since 2002.
wikimapia.org
The Twin Cities and Western operate out of Glencoe mile 473.
rrpicturearchives.net wikimapia.org
This is the TCWR website
www.tcwr.net
Just north of Granite Falls mile 542 the CMSP&P crossed a Great Northern line
which went into South Dakota and Iowa.
wikimapia.org
Montevideo at mile 555 had a fair sized yard.
terraserver.microsoft wikimapia.org
Appleton at mile 578 is the end of Twin Cities and Western ownership.
Canadian Pacific sold the line from Appleton to Ortonville mile 600 to
Burlington Northern in 1992.
wikimapia.org
Ortonville at mile 600 became the end of the CMSP&P in 1982 when the line to the west was sold to the state of South Dakota. There was a 118 mile line to Fargo
from Ortonville that was abandoned in 1980. The border between Minnesota and
South Dakota is just west of the bridge over the river.
wikimapia.org
SOUTH DAKOTA
The 299 mile line across South Dakota is now owned by BNSF.
This is the South Dakota DOT site.
www.sddot.com
Big Stone City at mile 602.2 has a spur running north to the Big Stone power plant. This 450 MW facility has been operating since 1975 and there are plans to build a second unit here.
wikimapia.org www.bigstoneii.com
At Milbank mile 611 is the junction with the Sisseton Milbank Railroad.
The CMSP&P operated this until 1982 when Dakota Rail took over.
wikimapia.org
Lonnie King has put this photoessay together covering the line from Milbank to Harlowton.
themilwaukeeroadtrail.org
Summit at mile 633 is the end of a 14 mile 1% climb out of the Minnesota River
valley and it had a wye for turning helpers.
terraserver.microsoft.com
This link is just a TerraServer westbound at Bristol mile 669.
terraserver.microsoft.com
West of Bristol the Milwaukee Road had a grade to 1.2 % as westbound trains drop down off of the Coteau des Prairies. A large loop was built during 1911 bending down to the south to give eastbounds a grade of 0.5% compensated. The original allignment was removed in 1959 and is now used by Highway 12.
wikimapia.org
Andover was the junction with a 50 mile branch to Cogswell, ND.
Most of the branch was removed in 1980 and a 5 mile section north of Britton
survives as part of the DMVW.
terraserver.microsoft.com
Aberdeen was the headquarters of the Aberdeen division. Besides the mainline the
CMSP&P had a line coming up from Iowa that continued into North Dakota.
The C&NW also had a line from the south which went into North Dakota.
The Great Northern and the Minneapolis and St. Louis served Aberdeen as well.
Currently BNSF has the mainline and the line south to Sioux City while the DME
has rights over this line from Wolsey. The GN line is now operated by the
Dakota, Minnesota Valley and Western. Aberdeen became the western end of
passenger service after the last Olympian Hiawatha replacement train
(Numbers 15 and 16) pulled back from Deer Lodge at the end of January 1964.
The last scheduled passenger train to Aberdeen left Minneapolis on April 15, 1969.
wikimapia.org themilwaukeeroadtrail
CMSP&P FP7A 104A and F7A 118A, and Baldwin S12 921, in Aberdeen-
rrpicturearchives.net rrpicturearchives.net
A BN westbound train near mile 742-
terraserver.microsoft.com
At Roscoe there was a line 41 miles south to Orient until 1978.
Another line went north 75 miles through Eureka, SD, to Linton, ND until 1980.
BN purchased the 49 miles of this line north of Eureka and operated it for several
years before turning it over to the Dakota, Missouri Valley and Western.
DMVW has since abandoned the line.
terraserver.microsoft.com
The CMSP&P, and later on the BN, made line changes to reduce curvature across
western South Dakota, which left some of the towns off of the mainline.
A 1946 line change from mile 772 to mile 782 left Java south of the main,
served by a spur line.
terraserver.microsoft.com
Another town bypassed by a line change was Glenham.
terraserver.microsoft.com
The mainline ended at Evarts when the decision to build to the coast was made in 1905. The construction of the Oahe Dam in the early 1960s created Lake Oahe which has flooded the townsite.
terraserver.microsoft.com
This is an article on the Pacific Coast Extension.
northeast.railfan.net
Mobridge is where the Milwaukee Road mainlie crossed the Missouri River.
It took 3 years to build the PCE 1,400 miles to the Pacific Coast.
terraserver.microsoft.com themilwaukeeroadtrail
The first bridge over the river was a wooden temporary bridge, which was in
place by April 1907. Construction of a permanent steel bridge took place while the
PCE headed west, and the second bridge was opened on March 19th, 1908.
The third bridge at this site was built by the USACE during 1961 for the Chicago,
Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific, necessitated by the Oahe Dam project.
CMSP&P operations in South Dakota came to an end during March 1982, resulting in
the purchase of the line by the State, with Burlington Northern contracted to
run the route. BNSF Railway now owns and operates the bridge.
WikiMapia Terraserver Photo Johnweeks.photos
Moreau Jct. was the start of 164 miles of light track to the towns of
Isabel and Faith which lasted until 1980. Several miles of the Mainline and the
branch had to be moved due to the Oahe dam.
terraserver.microsoft.com
The relocation included this bridge over the Grand River.
terraserver.microsoft.com
This link has a westbound at Mahto near mile 828.
maps.google.com/maps
McLaughlin was the start of a 134 mile branch to New England, ND. This line
survived the March 1980 reorganization, only to be abandoned during March 1982.
wikimapia.org
NORTH DAKOTA
BNSF Railway operates the 103 miles of the mainline through North Dakota.
Near Gascoyne is the spur to Knife River.
wikimapia.org
The Knife River lignite mine originated coal for the Big Stone Power Plant on the Milwaukee Road.
wikimapia.org
Bowman reminds me of a model train layout.
wikimapia.org
The Little Missouri River was crossed on the east side of Marmarth.
wikimapia.org
Marmarth was a crew change site and engine terminal.
This was the former site of a roundhouse and turntable.
wikimapia.org
MONTANA
The Milwaukee Road's Mainline traveled 746 miles through Montana, and currently 84 miles remains in service. BNSF operates 76 miles from North Dakota to the connection at Terry. They have another 5 miles between Butte and Newcomb, along with short sections in Miles City and Deer Lodge. Trinity Railcar are using 2 miles through the former Miles City shops.
This is a map of Railroads in Montana.
mdt.mt.gov/travinfo
Just inside Montana, the mainline leaves the Little Missouri Valley to enter the
Yellowstone River Valley at Kingmont. This aerial image shows an westbound
empty BNSF unit coal train returning for another load, just cresting the summit.
wikimapia.org
A few pictures from Pelva-
themilwaukeeroadtrail Wikimapia
The mainline came down into the Yellowstone River valley and crossed over Interstate 94 and the BNSF former NP mainline near mile 1,075.
Wikimapia
The mainline now ends just east of Terry where BN built a connection to their line.
Wikimapia
At mile 1,084 near Calypso the Milwaukee road crossed over to the north bank of
the Yellowstone River. At this location the river is flowing to the northwest on
its way east.
Wikimapia
The Olympian derailed on the Custer Creek bridge on June 19, 1938, killing 48 of
the 218 people on board. The swollen creek undermined the two center piers.
Wikimapia billingsgazette.net
At Tusler the CMSP&P crossed the Yellowstone for the second time.
terraserver.microsoft Wikimapia
About 4000' of line is in use on the east side of Miles City to serve this facility.
Wikimapia
Miles City had a fair sized yard which is now used by Trinity Railcar Repair.
A transfer table is located between the two large buildigs. From Miles City
crews ran west to Melstone and east to Marmarth. This was the west end
of the Aberdeen Division and the start of the Rocky Mountain Division.
Wikimapia themilwaukeeroadtrail
Near Paragon was the third and final crossing of the Yellowstone River.
terraserver.microsoft Wikimapia
Ingomar's station still stands.
themilwaukeeroadtrail Wikimapia
Melstone had a roundhouse and was a crew change location.
Wikimapia themilwaukeeroadtrail
At Roundup the CMSP&P had a spur 4 miles south to a coal mine at Klein.
terraserver.microsoft Wikimapia
A black and white photograph of the station in Roundup.
rr-fallenflags.org
At Slayton the line passed under the former Great Northern line from
Great Falls to Billings.
Wikimapia
This is a station list covering Harlowton to Seattle and Tacoma from 1951.
webhome.idirect
Harlowton at mile 1,335.5 was at 4,162' and was the beginning of the electrified territory. The CMSP&P served northern Montana from here with a line through Lewistown to Great Falls also serving Winnett, Roy, Winifred and Agawan.
111 out of the 394 miles of track north of Harlowton are still being operated.
On the mainline crews operated east to Melstone and west to Three Forks.
The next 95 miles to Lombard were built by the Montana Railroad.
Wikimapia themilwaukeeroadtrail
These are two articles on the Milwaukee Road's mainline electrification.
scn.org/cedar_butte northeast.railfan
Lonnie King put together this interesting Photo essay covering the Milwaukee from Harlowton to St. Maries, ID.
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E-57B is on display in Harlowton.
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This is a roster of the electrics.
web-archive-org
Helmut Wisinger has put this Montana guide together of what can be
seen along the right of way.
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Two Dot was at mile 1,347.5 and at 4,443'. This was the location of substation #1.
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Loweth was mile 1,380.9 and at 5,802' (5,787' before 1956) and was the summit through the Belt Mountains. This was also the location of substation #2.
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Ringling at mile 1,392.8 and 5,307 was the junction with the White Sulphur Springs and Yellowstone Park Railway. The CMSP&P owned the track and leased it out.
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The White Sulphur Springs and Yellowstone Park Railway operated 23 miles
north to the town of White Sulphur Springs, Montana, until March 1980.
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The line from Ringling to Lombard through Sixteen Mile Canyon featured 8 tunnels
in 30 miles. Red Tunnel #2 was near mile 1,398, about 1,154 miles from
tunnel #1 in Wisconsin.
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Tunnels #3 and #4 were near mile 1,409. Tunnel #3 was also known as
Canyon Tunnel.
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Eagle Nest Tunnel #4 was in the movie Danger Lights.
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Josephine Tunnel #5 was near mile 1,410.
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Francis was at mile 1,411.4 at 4,652' and had substation #3.
Francis was originally named Josephine, and the named was changed to that
of a local family.
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Deer Park Tunnels #6 and #7 were west of Maudlow near mile 1,420.
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Deer Park Tunnel # 8 was near mile 1,422.
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This is a 1956 timetable for the Olympian Hiawatha from Deer Park to Seattle
and Tacoma.
rrpicturearchives.net
Lombard was at 3,985' and at mile 1,430.4, just west of Tunnel # 9.
The CMSP&P passed over the Northern Pacific (now MRL) and then crossed
the Missouri River. Tunnel#9
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Eustis at mile 1,441.2 and 4,014' was home to substation #4.
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Across the river from Trident is the Holcim Cement manufacturing facility located
on Montana Rail Link.
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Three Forks at 1,449.7 and 4,068' was a crew change location. A line to the east went through Bozeman to Menard. The town is named after the Madison, Gallatin
and Jefferson rivers which joined together here to form the Missouri.
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A recent shot of the abandoned ROW near Three Forks.
rr-fallenflags.org
At Sappington the Northern Pacific (now MRL) crossed over the Milwaukee Road
mainline and the Jefferson River.
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The CMSP&P itself crossed the Jefferson River at Jefferson Island.
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Piedmont mile 1,484.2 was at 4,350' and was the location of substation #5.
The Continental Divide at Donald was 20.2 miles away and 2,002' higher resulting
in a grade of 1.83%.
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Vendome at 1,489.7 had this 3 mile horseshoe to keep the grade below 2%.
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Tunnel #10 at mile 1,497 was called Fish Creek Tunnel.
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Fish Creek Viaduct has been removed.
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Donald at mile 1,504.9 was the highest point on the CMSP&P at 6,352'.
The Railroad crossed under the Continental Divide through
Pipestone Pass Tunnel #11, which was 2,290' long.
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The Blacktail Viaduct, Blacktail #1 Tunnel (#12) and Blacktail #2 (#13)
were on the west slope of the Divide.
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Janney mile 1,511.6 was at 5,856' now has a house built beside the foundation
of substation #6 and a garage on the right of way.
200 yards to the west is another house on the ROW.
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BNSF serves Newcomb at mile 1,515.2 using 5 miles of the former mainline from
Butte. BNSF Railway acquired this trackage with the purchase of the
Montana Western in 2003.
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Butte Yard was at 1,519.8 and at 5,475' and was at the south end of the City.
The passenger station and a small yard were closer to downtown. This aerial image
shows the junction with the main from the south heading west and the line to the
station heading east.
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The Butte Passenger Station now houses KXLF.
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This is a photograph from 1973 of SW1 869 in Butte.
rrpicturearchives.net
Near mile 1,531 the Butte, Anaconda and Pacific crossed over the CMSP&P on
one bridge and then crossed over the Northern Pacific and the Clark Fork River
on another bridge.
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Morel was at mile 1,544.8 and 4,870 and was the location of substation #7.
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Deer Lodge mile 1,561.8 is at 4,523 was home to the locomotive shops.
Crews from Deer lodge ran east to Three Forks and west to Alberton.
On May 24, 1961 this became the west end of passenger service following the
demise of the Olympian Hiawatha. With the end January,1964, passenger service
pulled back to Aberdeen, South Dakota. The last electric operations on the
Milwaukee Road took place here on June 15, 1974.
During the morning Little Joes E-73 and E-20 brought a 264 into Deer Lodge from
Alberton and in the afternoon steeple cab E-82 moved some cars around the yard.
It is believed E57B was used here on June 21st, 1974.
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The E34 Boxcab set and steeple cab E80 at Deer Lodge.
rr-fallenflags.org rr-fallenflags.org
E70 is on display in Deer Lodge.
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Garrison Tunnel #14 is near mile 1,573 west of Garrison.
Montana Rail Link's former NP Garrison Tunnel cuts through the same ridge,
about one mile west of where the two NP routes over Mullan and Homestake
came together. The shorter MRL tunnel to the east is still in use.
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Gold Creek at mile 1,580.4 and at 4,167' was the home of substation #8.
The official last spike ceremony took place here on May 9, 1909.
The actual last spike was driven closer to Missoula a couple of weeks earlier.
This substation still stands.
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Here a is photograph that shows the ROW today.
rrpicturearchives.net
Nimrod Tunnel #15 was near mile 1,612 just east of Ravenna.
MRL's Nimrod Tunnel runs parallel through the same ridge.
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Ravenna was the site of substation #9 which still stands.
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Beavertail Tunnel #16 was at mile 1616 (fitting) and beside another one of
Montana Rail Link's ex NP tunnels, Bonita Tunnel.
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Bonner Junction was at mile 1,635.0 and 3,280' and was the junction with a
line that went 40 miles east to Cottonwood.
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