The Prototype Railroad
This section of our web site will accumulate historic information and photographs related to the Milwaukee & Northern (M&N). It will also endeavor to cover its successor, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul (CM&StP), or Milwaukee Road (MILW). These buttons will take you to the several sub-sections for the Prototype Railroad. Scroll down to read an abridged history of the M&N.
A Brief History of the Milwaukee & Northern Railroad
The Milwaukee & Northern Railway Company (M&N) was granted a charter by the Legislature of Wisconsin on 24 February 1870.
Construction of the Milwaukee and Northern commenced in the summer of 1870 at Schwartzburg Junction, Wis., where the M&N connected with the Northern Division of the Milwaukee & St. Paul (M&StP) (a predecessor of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul (CM&StP), or Milwaukee Road (MILW)).
By the end of 1870, the M&N had completed 13.7 miles of track to Cedarburg, Wis.
In 1871-2, 79 miles of track were laid from Cedarburg to Hilbert Junction, Wis., and from there to Menasha, Wis. (the Menasha Branch).
Construction continued from Hilbert Junction in a northerly direction for 27 miles to Green Bay, Wis., where the first M&N train arrived on 19 June 1873.
The M&N was leased by the Wisconsin Central Railroad (WC) from 30 November 1873 until 31 July 1882.
In 1874, the M&N constructed a bridge to cross the Fox River in order to extend their tracks from Green Bay into Fort Howard, Wis.
The Milwaukee & Northern Railway Company reorganized as the Milwaukee & Northern Railroad Company on 22 April 1880.
The M&N constructed a 4.7-mile branch line from Menasha into ‘the Flats’ at Appleton, Wis., in 1880 (the Appleton Branch).
The M&N’s Menasha Branch was extended to Neenah, Wis., in 1881 (the Neenah Branch).
Also in 1881, the M&N laid 24.4 miles of track from Fort Howard to a point 1 mile south of Stiles, Wis.
The M&N constructed 15.1 miles of their main line from a point 1 mile south of Stiles, Wis., to Coleman, Wis., in 1882.
In 1883, the M&N’s line was extended from Coleman to Wausaukee, Wis., a distance of 22.2 miles.
In 1884, 9.8 miles of track were laid from Wausaukee to Station 3790 (later Pike, Wis., now Amberg, Wis.).
Also in 1884, a 24.8 mile branch line (some references state 23.9 miles) was constructed from Ellis Junction, Wis. (now Crivitz, Wis.), to Marinette, Wis., and Menominee, Mich. (the Menominee Branch).
The line was extended 20.12 miles from Station 3790 (later Pike, Wis., now Amberg, Wis.) to Station 4852, on the Menominee River (the border of Wisconsin and Michigan), in 1886.
Fifty-eight miles of track were laid from the Menominee River to Champion, Mich., in 1887.
In 1889, an 11.94 mile branch line was constructed from Oconto Junction, Wis., to Oconto, Wis. (the Oconto Branch).
The M&N was acquired by the CM&StP (MILW) on 1 October 1890. Even though it was thence owned and managed by the CM&StP (MILW), it continued to operate as the M&N.
In 1892, the M&N constructed the Wausaukee Branch, running 17.7 miles northwestward from Wausaukee, Wis., to Girard Junction, Wis.
Construction of the main line continued northwestward, until the M&N reached the shore of Lake Superior at Ontonagon, Mich., in January of 1893.
Technically, the M&N reached the shore of Lake Superior on 1 October 1889, when the Ontonagon & Brule River (O&BR) extended their line from Rockland, Mich., to Sidnaw, Mich. The O&BR had been controlled by the M&N almost since its inception. M&N passengers and freight could then travel from Champion, Mich., to Sidnaw via the Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic (DSS&A), and then from Sidnaw to Ontonagon via the O&BR. The year of 1893 is given here as the date the M&N reached Lake Superior because that is when their passengers and freight could make the entire trip from Milwaukee to Ontonagon via their own rails (after their main line was extended from Channing, Mich., to Sidnaw). Scheduled train service commenced on 1 January 1893.
On 1 July 1893, the M&N faded into history, when it ceased to operate as a separate railroad and officially became the Lake Superior Division of the CM&StP (MILW). Sometimes it was simply referred to as the Superior Division. From time to time, the new division was referred to as the Northern Division, an homage to the Milwaukee & Northern.
Thankfully (in the hearts and minds of railroad enthusiasts like us) most of the historic M&N right-of-way still supports active rails. While not quite as active as train nuts like us would hope, the majority of the line is currently served by the Canadian National (CN), Escanaba & Lake Superior (E&LS or ELS), and Wisconsin & Southern (W&S or WSOR) railroads.
The Latest M&N History News
UPDATE – Main Line – Menominee River to Ontonagon
Two new photographs and additional information have been added to the Main Line – Menominee River to Ontonagon page. MILW 314 (GP9) leads a 140-car taconite
UPDATE – Prototype Railroad
We would like to clarify some information regarding the construction of the railroad between Cedarburg and Menasha. Up to now, our Prototype Railroad page has
NEW – Our 2024 Open House
We have set the dates! Our 2024 open house will be held on Saturday, 7 December, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Sunday, 8
UPDATE – Main Line – Schwartzburg to Hilbert
Five historic and one contemporary photographs have been added to our Main Line – Schwartzburg Junction to Hilbert Junction page. The former M&N depot at
Update – Main Line – Schwartzburg to Hilbert and Reminders of the Main Line – Schwartzburg to Hilbert
Ten new photographs have been added to Milwaukee & Northern Main Line – Schwartzburg Junction to Hilbert Junction and Reminders of the Milwaukee & Northern
The Milwaukee & Northern is 154 Years Old!
On 24 February 1870, the Milwaukee & Northern was granted a charter by the Wisconsin Legislature. Happy Birthday to the Milwaukee & Northern! M&N 2,