Fading away......

[CMStPnP]

The former C&NW line to Fond Du Lac and points North (Oshkosh, Green Bay), when I was a kid this like used to host double or triple SD40-2 lashups and 70-100 car frieght trains at 40-45 mph.    Back then it had pink lady ballast as well.    Now the line terminates at West Bend, WI.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQdlltlSYh8

 

[kgbw49]

You can bike the 25 miles north from West Bend through Kewaskum and Campbellsport to Eden where the track up to Fond du Lac remains in place.

 

https://cf-store.widencdn.net/widnr/4/a/9/4a995c4b-aac5-4538-b05c-501bc73a35e6.pdf?response-content-disposition=inline%3B%20filename%3D%22Eisenbahn_Map.pdf%22&response-content-type=application%2Fpdf&Expires=1628605684&Signature=FqZLzvukabhS6hDL9GlBxqrCCuIbZ71B5kWkjbnwu0NJTjTlDLbvDiPAE3-dszBC61l-S9mX8WT5sIzILC2uSCKy79i5XF1kxt1ms~lZ2htiidLNE9kMHVvjffauIGmHesRVwMy7ukAZZfJeHtZerpG1uUPyshTnhMW4YZqzP~L1FifLlAXmA0QBcoMBa5544UifC8jhUq5NlPkV~tqwq3XAl~7B9qkL9HPGQ8MX2woM671etg7SuCZpX1WTPtdH~tSEg9dX-g07aBd5i4JhVh67UfonFprqaZRiR1LOi4KGQAhbu9UhhhRBInPOpoHEuqHlRUjvR5-8gW34yFXiZA__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJD5XONOBVWWOA65A

Both remaining segments are part of the pending Watco purchase.

[CMStPnP]

kgbw49

Both remaining segments are part of the pending Watco purchase.

I did not know that, that might explain why the state shows the missing rail as in place again on future rail maps 2030 and 2050.   I wonder if they have plans to relay for passenger service to Green Bay.     A routing via West Bend ridership and speed wise would make more sense than just following the former WC or Soo Line up plus they would not have to deal with CN bitching.    Additionally, they could take one of the existing ROW between Fond Du Lac and Oshkosh.

So this news could open more options to restoration of service to Green Bay.

https://www.ladysmithnews.com/news/article_8d11e3fa-97df-11eb-9d84-13eacefac05a.html

 

[Gramp]

The two tracks (Soo & C&NW) between FDL and south Oshkosh are currently paired. Then single track through each town.  Soo at FDL and C&NW at Oshkosh. 

[rdamon]

The line from Ripon to Oshkosh is used as navigation for flying into the airshow.

[kgbw49]

Using the old CNW Fox Valley line could prove problematic in terms of getting trains to the Milwaukee station. There is no good connection that I can find to get to the Milwaukee station from the old CNW Fox Valley line.That would mean the train would lose time working it's way through Milwaukee In either direction.

Rigut now you can get from Green Bay to Milwaukee by either I-41 or I-43 in less than 2 hours point to point. I have done it. So any rail service will have to be rapid and have relatively inexpensive tickets to compete.

I would also put the Green Bay station at the east end of Lombardi Avenue, just a stone's throw away from 1265 Lombardi Avenue, which with the surrounding area is the de facto downtown of the Green Bay Metropolitan Area.