Wisconsin Central Railway (1897–1954)

For the modern railroad, see Wisconsin Central Ltd.

The Wisconsin Central Railway Company was created in 1897 when the Wisconsin Central Railroad (1871–99) was reorganized from bankruptcy. In 1954, it reverted to the name Wisconsin Central Railroad Company. The railroad was merged into the Soo Line Railroad in 1961.

Wisconsin Central Railway

A map of the Wisconsin Central in 1901
Overview
Locale	Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois
Dates of operation	1897–1961
Predecessor	Wisconsin Central Railroad (1871–99)
Successor	Soo Line Railroad
Technical
Track gauge	4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge

History

Sheep are unloaded from the upper level of a Wisconsin Central stock car in Chicago in 1904.

After a proposed merger with Northern Pacific Railway fell through in 1908, Wisconsin Central was leased by the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad, the "Old" Soo Line, in 1909. Controlling interest in the Soo Line, along with Wisconsin Central, was held by the Canadian Pacific Railway. Wisconsin Central entered receivership in 1932, declared bankruptcy in 1944, and finally re-emerged from administration in 1954 as the Wisconsin Central Railroad. It was entirely merged into the new Soo Line Railroad in 1961, ^[1] which acquired the Milwaukee Road in 1985 and was absorbed into the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1990.

See also

Waupaca Railroad Depot