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Fall 1999 Issue IN EVERY ISSUE Soo News STAFF Editor Associate Editor Associate Editor/Soo News Soo News Wiconsin Central News Modeling Editor Contributing Editors Editorial Consultants Technical Consultants Commercial Accounts Advertising Manager Back Issues
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Fall 1999 Issue Hightlights |
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Building the Wisconsin CentralMenasha to Stevens Pointby David LeiderWhen Wisconsin gained statehood in 1848, the major cities were scattered along Lake Michigan and the southern portion of the state. After the Civil War, The federal government desired better protection for our borders. In May 1864, Congress passed the Minnesota Land Grant Act, to entice railroads to build northward, so that men and materials could be moved if needed. The planned route in Wisconsin would be straight north through the center of the state to Bayfield. The railroad building the line would be granted ten sections of land per mile. The starting point would be either Fond du Lac, Berlin or Doty's Island; Portage was added later. The Wisconsin legislature would decide what railroad would get the grant, and where the starting point would be. At first the Oshkosh, Fremont and Wausau Railroad, building from Neenah to Waupaca, was favored. However, it was controlled by the Chicago and Northwestern, an Illinois company. The Milwaukee and St. Paul, a Wisconsin Company, objected. They had a line that ended at Berlin and they desired the land grant. In April 1866, the Portage & Superior Railroad was organized by a group from Portage to construct a railroad from Portage, via Ripon, Berlin, and Stevens Point, to Bayfield. On July 17, 1866, the Winnebago & Lake Superior Railroad was organized in the office of Henry Hewitt, a banker on Doty's Island. The president was George Reed from Manitowac, the vice president was M. H. Sessions of Waupaca and the treasurer was Henry Hewitt of Menasha. Curtis Reed was a director. Both railroads were awarded the land grant after overcoming many obstacles. They were combined May 1, 1869, to form the Portage, Winnebago and Superior Railroad. On June 2, 1869, the following directors were elected: president, George Reed; vice-president, John P. McGregor of Portage City; secretary, Julius S. Buck of Appleton; treasurer, Henry Hewitt of Menasha; and chief engineer, S. W. Budlong of Waterloo. Judge, state senator and businessman George Reed of Manitowoc, a brother of Harrison and Curtis, was the dreamer, the promoter, and guiding hand that secured the land grant and accomplished the difficult merger of the two railroads. He was the person who traveled to Boston, interesting Gardner Colby and a Boston group to finance the venture. |
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Restoration on a ShoestringThe story behind the transformation of 321 into X90 and backby Larry Bohn The following is condensed from the Summer 1994 issue of the MTM Minnegazette, published by the Minnesota Transportation Museum, reproduced by permission. It contains additional photos from the author and from the SLHTS Archives. Many older readers will remember the Soo Line's Shoreham shop goat, 0-6-0T no. X90. It sat derelict and visible from Central Avenue for years after the demise of Soo Steam. Then it disappeared, only to resurface in Manitowoc, Wis., as tender engine no. 321. For the last 34 years, Larry Bohn has worked to bring the old engine back. This is a story of how dedication and resourcefulness made a difference. |
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A Soo Engineer's Albumby Gregg CondonHe was always smiling when he talked of the Soo Line. His eyes would sparkle, and I just knew that he loved to tell his tales about the Soo as much as I loved to hear them. Robert Barnier of Chippewa Falls, Wis., was a Soo Line engineer. Just ten days shy of his twenty-first birthday in October, 1946, Bob's first trip was to fire a 2-8-0 on the Eau Claire branch. Forty-one years later-in October of 1987-he was the engineer on the last Soo Line train to operate into Chippewa Falls. For most of those 41 intervening years Bob was a Soo Line engineer. Bob wasn't just a Soo Line engineer. For him it was vocation, avocation, research, study, and personal mission. For me he was the grand old gentleman of the Soo Line. Bob lived a well-balanced life being a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was active in his church and president of his county historical society. When it came to the Soo Line, his enthusiasm knew no bounds. During layovers at distant terminals Bob would often visit the local libraries to research the Soo. He amassed data, maps, and photos. The fruits of his searches filled seven hefty ring-binders. Bob was active in the SLHTS and chairman of the 1997 SLHTS convention. Bob passed away in April of 1999, but we can visit the Soo Line which he loved through this sampling of the treasures of his personal Soo Line archives. Enjoy the trip! |
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