Portage County Historical Society

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