Railroad: Wisconsin Central railroad (old)

Gogebic & Montreal River → Wisconsin Central Railroad (old) → Soo Line Railroad

Incorporated: 1871 as Wisconsin Central railroad company. Operated in Wisconsin.

Reached: 1884 Minneapolis & St. Paul. 1886 Chicago.

Leased: 1887-88 - leased the Gogebic & Montreal River (Ironwood to Bessemer), adding operations in Michigan.

Operated in Michigan for 21 years.

Leased: 1890 - to Northern Packfic. Lease cancelled in 1893.

Reorganized: 1897 as Wisconsin Central Railway Co.

Leased: 1909 - to Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie. (which became known as the Soo Line railroad). Reached Duluth in 1909. Operated as Wisconsin Central railroad.

Receivership: in 1932.

Bankruptcy: in 1944.

Reorganized: 1954 as Wisconsin Central Railroad Co.

Merged: 1961 - into the Soo Line Railroad.

Reference: [MRRC][SSS]

Notes

The DSS&A Historical Society has a copy of a telegram dated December 30, 1960 which indicates "that the Minneapolis St. Paul & Sault Ste Marie Railroad Company and Wisconsin Central Railroad Company have been combined into the Duluth Shouth Shore and Atlantic railroad company as surviving corporation, and a  name change to the Soo Line Railroad Company has been filed, and on this date the merger (of the three lines) is now effective." [DSSAHS]

Time Line

1887-88. This road leased the Gogebic & Montreal River between Ironwood to Bessemer and begins operating in Michigan.

1902. Main line is from Ironwood to Bessemer, about seven miles. They have ten miles of spur and side tracks to the differennt mines. This road is constucted with 60-lb. rail in fair condition. The road is fenced. [MCR-1903]

1960. March 16. A merger of the Soo Line Railway (MStP&SSM) with the Wisconsin Central and the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic railroad has been approved by directors of all three systems. A vote by the stockholders was set for May 17. If approved, the merger will be submitted to the ICC for its OK. The three railways would be combined into one company to be known as the Soo Line Railroad Company. It would have about 4,800 miles of trackage and assets in excess of $220,000,000. The three lines operate in Illinois, Wisconsin, Upper Michigan, Minnesota, North and South Dakota and Montana. A majority of its stock will be owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway which now has votoed control of all three lines. No reduction in service is planed. [EDP-1960-0316]