Looking for history of UP (Former C&NW) tracks through eastern Wisconsin

[Anonymous]

Just wondering if anyone can give me some history on the former C&NW, now UP line that runs north from Milwaukee to Sheboygan? I'm interested in when the line was originaly laid, whether there are any future plans for changes and/or improvments, and anything else would be appreciated...Thanks!

A railfan in Ozaukee county

[Anonymous]

The 1882 C&NW map does not show this line, but the 1910 map does. C&NW did alot of track laying/expansion in WI during the 1880's. This is probably when the line was made.

[Anonymous]

I know that I have that info in my briefcase at work. There was a book published that showed the time frame for all of the track built in Wisconsin.

I'm pretty sure that the RR was called the Milwaukee, Lakeshore and Western. They built from Milwaukee to Sheboygan to Manitowoc then over to Kaukauna then north to Green Bay. That's how the first line reached from Milw. to Green Bay. Pretty round-about way of getting there.

If you look at the website for the City of Kaukauna, WI, (see link below) They mention the offices of the M, LS & W relocating in 1881, so they must have been there a little prior.
http://www.cityofkaukauna.com/about/Default.asp?Search=ADV&
" In 1881, Milwaukee Lakeshore and Western Railroad relocated its district office from Manitowoc to Kaukauna's south side. "

Subsequently, this became part of the C&NW. Later the line from Sheboygan to Plymouth to Fond du Lac was built, as were the lines from Milw to Fond du Lac to Oshkosh and Kaukauna and then finally the Manitowoc to Green Bay line. The later was in the early 1900's.

As you're probably aware, there were / are 2 lines though Sheboygan. One that ran closer in to town which served the passenger station. If you pull up a Sheboygan map on Mapquest.com, and zoom in a couple clicks, you can see both lines.

I'll see what I have in that file at work for you.
- Stack.

[Anonymous]

Hi Bermuda Ken,
Interesting about that line not being on the C&NW map in 1882. I'll bet that this line hadn't been acquired yet by C&NW - so even though it "might" have been there, it might not have been part of the C&NW quite yet.

That would reconcile how it could exist, but not be on the C&NW map you had. Just a hunch -
- Stack.

[daveklepper]

Isn't this where I bilevel streamliner, Penninsular 400, ran? With bilevel coaches that were later converted to be part of the Chicago communter fleet, and a single level diner with a false high roof to match the gallery car coaches? I believe I rode that train once on business. Dave Klepper

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bermuda ken

The 1882 C&NW map does not show this line, but the 1910 map does. C&NW did alot of track laying/expansion in WI during the 1880's. This is probably when the line was made.

Thanks for the info. Can these maps be found on the net?

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by daveklepper

Isn't this where I bilevel streamliner, Penninsular 400, ran? With bilevel coaches that were later converted to be part of the Chicago communter fleet, and a single level diner with a false high roof to match the gallery car coaches? I believe I rode that train once on business. Dave Klepper

As a kid I remember seeing the passenger trains on this line running from Milwaukee to Green Bay. I do believe they were bi-level coaches...but that was a long time ago! I can still remember the distinctive sound of the horn on the locomotives. [^]

[dknelson]

The Milwaukee, Manitowoc & Green Bay Railroad was formed in March 1870. It completed 74 miles of track from Lake Shore Jct (N of Milwaukee) to Manitowoc in 1872--1873. it had an interchange with the CNW through Sheboygan into Manitowoc. It renamed itself The Milwaukee Lake Shore & Western. There was also the Appleton & New Longon Railroad chartered in 1866, which became part of the Lake Shore. In 1874 a branch from Manitowoc to Two Rivers was built. They still had not reached Green Bay. They reorganized in 1875. Eventually this railroad reached much of northern Wisconsin/. It came under the control of the C&NW in 1891
My source is H Roger Grant's book "NorthWestern" published by Northern Illinois University Press. I recommend it to anyone interested in CNW history
Dave Nelson

[Anonymous]

Originally posted by dknelson

The Milwaukee, Manitowoc & Green Bay Railroad was formed in March 1870. It completed 74 miles of track from Lake Shore Jct (N of Milwaukee) to Manitowoc in 1872--1873. it had an interchange with the CNW through Sheboygan into Manitowoc. It renamed itself The Milwaukee Lake Shore & Western. There was also the Appleton & New Longon Railroad chartered in 1866, which became part of the Lake Shore. In 1874 a branch from Manitowoc to Two Rivers was built. They still had not reached Green Bay. They reorganized in 1875. Eventually this railroad reached much of northern Wisconsin/. It came under the control of the C&NW in 1891
My source is H Roger Grant's book "NorthWestern" published by Northern Illinois University Press. I recommend it to anyone interested in CNW history
Dave Nelson

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