History of the Soo Line

by James Lyden

This manuscript was uncovered by the newly formed Wisconsin Central Railroad in the old Soo Line archives. The work was never formally published and the sections presented here are missing some parts. It is also known that additional chapters exist, most likely in the Minnesota State History Society.

Chapter 1     INTRODUCTION, FORWARD, WHY THE SOO LINE
Chapter 2     RAILROAD BORN IN DUST OF FLOUR MILLS
Chapter 3     THE FLOUR TRAIN
Chapter 4     SAULT STE. MARIE
Chapter 5     NORTHERN LINES STRUGGLE FOR POWER
Chapter 6     WISCONSIN CENTRAL RAILWAY
Chapter 7     ON THE WAY NORTH
Chapter 8     INTO THE DEEP WOODS
Chapter 9     SOUTH FROM ASHLAND, THE CHEQUAMEGON HOTEL, AND PENOKEE GAP
Chapter 10   THE PHILLIP'S SCANDAL
Chapter 11   THE PORTAGE BRANCH
Chapter 12   MILE POST 101
Chapter 13   EXIT PHILLIPS & COLBY
Chapter 14   HEADED WEST
Chapter 15   CHICAGO BOUND
Chapter 16   CHICAGO TERMINAL
Chapter 17   MAIN LINE PROGRESS
Chapter 18   THE GAY AND SERIOUS '90's
Chapter 19   THE MANITOWOC - NEENAH BRANCH and SEAGOING FREIGHT TRAINS
Chapter 20   THE SHOPS AND NEW DIVISION POINTS
Chapter 21   REBUILDING THE LINE, GRADE CORRECTIONS ETC.
Chapter 22   BOOM ISLAND
Chapter 23   A NEW TERMINAL
Chapter 24   CHIPPEWA FALLS & WESTERN
Chapter 25   THE GREENWOOD BRANCH
Chapter 26   THE MARSHFIELD-NEKOOSA BRANCH
Chapter 27   THE ABBOTSFORD-ATHENS BRANCH
Chapter 28   PENOKEE BRANCH
Chapter 29   SLEEPING CARS
Chapter 30   FINALE