SLHTS Publications

Winter 2008 Issue

IN EVERY ISSUE

Soo News
WC News
Editor's Report
Executive Report
Gallery
Rip Track
Letters
Transfer Table
Less-Than-Carload

STAFF

Editor
Reid Van Sluys

Associate Editor
Ken Soroos

Associate Editor
Andy Roth

Associate Editor
Jason Korth

News Editor
Galen Fromm

Wiconsin Central News
Galen Fromm

Associate Editor/Modeling
Chuck Derus

Contributing Editors
Doug Fleming

Production Consultant
Rick Johnson

Technical Consultants
Stuart J. Nelson, Dennis Storzek

Commercial Accounts
Joe Lallensack

Advertising Manager
Burnell Breaker

Back Issues
Roger Wurtzel

Editors Emeritus
Larry Easton & Rick Johnson

Winter 2008 Issue Hightlights

Enderlin, ND - Part 1

Division Headquarters on the Prairie

by Jim Welton and Stu Nelson

The Soo Line predecessor, Minneapolis and Pacific Railway, built its line from Minneapolis to Lidgerwood, ND in 1886, and on to Boynton, west of Oakes, ND, in 1887. The objective as to build west to Bismarck and beyond. The Canadian Pacific Railway had become loosely involved with the Soo Line in 1888 and interceded with those building plans. From a junction with the original line at Hankinson, in 1891 a new route was built northwest to Valley City. In 1892 the line was extended to Cathay, and in 1893 the line was completed to the Canadian border at Portal, ND. There it connected with the Canadian Pacific Railway to reach the CP main line near Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

The Blizzard of 1923

A Monster Storm Shuts Down the Soo Line in Wisconsin

by Carson Wilder

In the second week of February, 1923, a monster storm rolled out of the Pacific Northwest and Canada, wreaking havoc over a large part of the continental United States with record snowfalls followed by sub-arctic cold. The Great Blizzard of 1923, as it became known, was particularly savage in striking the upper Midwestern states of North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

A Fireman on the Copper Country Limited

A Student Fireman Marks Up on Varnish

by Ron Kaminen

In 1962, I had the privilege of riding on the Copper Country Limited as a student fireman for one trip, followed by five assigned runs later in June and August. The student trip was in May of 1962, but I don't have the actual date recorded in my time book. This is because I made the trip on my own time and without pay. The marquette crew caller would call the crew in the evening before the vacancy to make sure the job was covered. It had a starting time of 5:30 a.m. and a departure of 5:50 a.m. Deadhead mileage was 32 miles from Marquette to Champion.

Gallery

Homage to An Old Soldier - The Soo's GP9s

by Various Contributors

Questions about the content of the SOO? Contact:

Reid Van Sluys, Editor
W61 N327 Washington Avenue
Cedarburg, WI 53012-2404
or E-mail.

Questions about reselling the SOO in your store? Contact:

Joe Lallensack, Commercial Accounts Manager
3818 Mangin St.
Manitowoc, WI 54220
or E-mail.

Questions about Back Issues of the SOO? Contact:

Roger Wurtzel, Back Issues Manager
910 Chandler Avenue
Plover, WI 54467
or E-mail.

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