MILW Cannon Falls, MN Question

[Anonymous]

My 1965 Railroad Guide's section on The Milwaukee Road shows the MILW had a branch from Red Wing through Welch to Cannon Falls, MN.  This is the same basic route that the CGW had between Red Wing and Randolph, and I know at one time the MILW did go as far as Randolph. 

Did the MILW use CGW trackage to reach Cannon Falls from Red Wing in the 1960's, or did they have their own line?  I've been to Cannon Falls a few times, and from the way the remaining trackage there lays out it almost seems like there may have been two separate lines through town, but I can't tell for sure.

[nanaimo73]

Most of the Milwaukee Road line was taken out in the 1930s, and then trackage rifghts on the CGW were used until 1976. This USGS map shows the old ROW.

http://terraserver-usa.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=12&Z=15&X=640&Y=6162&W=1&qs=%7cwelch%7cminnesota%7c  

[Anonymous]

Thanks dude!  I've heard some good things about the Cannon Valley Trail and I just may have to get out there to do some hiking this summer.

[jrbernier]

  The Milwakee Cannon Falls line ran from Cannon Jct on the north side of the Cannon River(north of Red Wing) through Cannon Falls and on to Northfield, MN.  The line between Northfield and Cannon Falls was removed in the 30's.  The section west of Cannon Jct was removed to Mineral Springs about the same time.  Mineral Springs had a State Hospital and was between Cannon Falls & Welch.  That trackage remained intact until just after WWII.  The Milwaukee used trackage rights between Red Wing and Cannon Falls on the CGW.  They would then back into their industries on what was left of their original trackage.  Until the Mineral Springs Hospital was closed, they would run down the remaining stub to spot coal at the hospital.  Up until some time in the 70's, the Milwaukee had a job tha worked out of Hastings, MN and served the Cannon Falls industries.  Usually 2 day/week the local would run down the River Division mainline to Red Wing, and then run up the 'transfer' to the CGW main for a 10 mph run to Cannon Falls.  As the track got worse, the C&NW would leave a switcher in Cannon Falls.  The Milwaukee crew would 'taxi' to Cannon Falls on Saturday and do their work.  This did not last long and the Milwaukee gave what traffic was left to the C&NW.  The tracks behind the mill are what is left of the Milwaukee main line.  The mill closed several years ago, but there are rumors of new traffic in Cannon Falls(the ex CGW line has been dormant for a number of years).

Jim Bernier