Wisconsin Northern

The Wisconsin Northern (a division of Progressive Rail) started operations on Tuesday, 11/23/04, operating former Canadian National branchlines from Cameron to Almena, WI (ex-Wisconsin Central, exx-SOO) and Cameron to Rice Lake (ex-WC, exx-C&NW/CStPM&O), using the former Union Pacific (ex-C&NW, exx-CStPM&O) trackage from Norma (north side of Chippewa Falls) to Cameron to interchange with the Union Pacific.

For start of operations, they used LLPX 2034, then subsequently used a pair of Iowa Northern locomotives (photos courtesy of Joseph Lewis). A pair of EMD GP15-1s (former BN, originally Frisco) was purchased as permanent power for the line, and I snapped photos of the GP15s in minimal lettering coming through UP's Butler Yard on their way to the WN, and in full lettering on the WN when I took a trip around the state in June '05. Since that time, the WN has also added PGR EMD SW1500 34 to their roster.

For discussion relating to the Wisconsin Northern, be sure to check out the Wisconsin Northern^ Yahoo!Group.

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