Logo
 
 
9/10/2024
 
 
 
 
 
By:Richard Hopfensperger
Dates:1/1/1980 - 12/31/2020
Album Info:Infrastructure of the Soo Line from the line before the Milwaukee Road purchase.
  Page Controls   View:  Pics Per Page:
Shops Yard
Title:  Shops Yard
Description:  A look at the shops which the yard is named after. The view is from Lakeshore Drive looking generally north. Though the red at this angle may trick you into thinking Soo Line, the units are indeed Candian National. This view can no longer be seen without running this risk of getting into trouble for trespassing since the closure of the Lakeshore Dive grade crossing. After two train - car accidents in 2007, the FRA lifted the quiet zone in the village, which caused irate neighbors because of the horn blowing at all hours of the day and night. The FRA refused to reinstate the quiet zone, informing the citizens that to eliminate the horns they would need to eliminate the grade crossing. After much debate and outcry, the village board had a vote to close the grade crossing. On Oct. 29, 2013, according to news reports, concrete barriers were brought in to block the grade crossing and close the road here. Unfortunately, this took out a great close train watching location all because of two poor auto drivers.
Photo Date:  10/17/2011  Upload Date: 7/25/2015 10:51:48 AM
Location:  North Fond du Lac, WI
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  Scenic,Yard,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  247   Comments: 1
Former Soo Yard
Title:  Former Soo Yard
Description:  A view looking railroad "west" in Oshkosh, WI along the former Soo Line R.o.W. This small yard is nestled between Wittman Airfield and Oshkosh Corporation. The track with the brush growing between the rails was once a passing siding to the mainline which was the track which everything else branches from.The line, which used to run through Oshkosh, winding it's way through downtown, is now truncated short of 20th Avenue. The red flags are visible in the photo. This site is now part of the CN system and has circus style railloading facilities rarely used by Oshkosh Corp. or any one else. The Soo Line had an engine house on the other side of 20th Avenue in years past. The building is now gone.
Photo Date:  2/15/2013  Upload Date: 10/17/2014 7:02:24 PM
Location:  Oshkosh, WI
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  Scenic,Yard,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  259   Comments: 1
Soo Line Station
Title:  Soo Line Station
Description:  The Soo depot at Shawano. Though the building was in decent shape, the CN took it down in the not too distant future from the time of this photo. I would presume it was a financial burden with out any return in usefulness, so it went to cut costs. It would have been a nice piece for a historical society, though I would imagine, the CN would have wanted it moved away from the right of way, for safety (insurance) purposes.
Photo Date:  7/30/2013  Upload Date: 7/22/2015 8:04:50 AM
Location:  Shawano, WI
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  Scenic,Station
Locomotives: 
Views:  233   Comments: 0
Wolf River Crossing
Title:  Wolf River Crossing
Description:  The Soo Line had to cross the Wolf River on it's way north to Argonne where it connected with the line from St. Paul to Sault Ste. Marie. The track now turns back 180 degrees to connect with the remaining Chicago and Northwestern line to serve the Little Rapids Corp. paper mill. Everything north of the loop is out of service.
Photo Date:  7/30/2013  Upload Date: 7/22/2015 6:29:09 PM
Location:  Shawano, WI
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  Scenic,Bridge
Locomotives: 
Views:  233   Comments: 0
SOO 4411
Title:  SOO 4411
Description:  SOO 4411 at the IC&E yard in South Beloit, IL. This may be a IC&E unit since my research seems to indicate the CP has taken control of the DME and ICE, but I haven't been able to confirm that is still the situation because CARH is involved too. Perhaps someone can share some information on this.
Photo Date:  9/19/2013  Upload Date: 2/14/2014 1:21:29 PM
Location:  South Beloit, IL
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  Roster,Scenic,Yard
Locomotives:  SOO 4411(GP38-2)
Views:  216   Comments: 1
Soo Line Bridge Across Highway 8
Title:  Soo Line Bridge Across Highway 8
Description:  The Soo Line bridge across Highway 8 at Goodman. The bridge is along the old Soo right of way between Minneapolis / Saint Paul and Sault Sainte Marie.
Photo Date:  10/11/2013  Upload Date: 7/25/2015 10:01:21 PM
Location:  Goodman, WI
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  Bridge
Locomotives: 
Views:  198   Comments: 0
Soo Line Shed
Title:  Soo Line Shed
Description:  This shed was still standing along the out of service track at Argonne. The line is out of service from Rhinelander to Goodman. The track south towards Shawano is also out of service, though the Argonne Junctio wye is still intact. I have been told, the track is in place to the south as far as Crandon. Argonne must have been a very interesting place before the CN took this out of service.
Photo Date:  10/11/2013  Upload Date: 7/22/2015 6:39:02 PM
Location:  Argonne, WI
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  Scenic,Station,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  328   Comments: 1
Soo Line Rails
Title:  Soo Line Rails
Description:  Looking towards the west, toward Rhinelander. The Argonne Junction wye is just past the track's horizon.
Photo Date:  10/11/2013  Upload Date: 7/22/2015 6:46:49 PM
Location:  Argonne, WI
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  Scenic,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  304   Comments: 0
Soo Line Roundhouse
Title:  Soo Line Roundhouse
Description:  A remnant attesting to Rhinelander's status as a diviosion point for the Soo Line is this four stall roundhouse. The roundhouse was built in 1899 for a cost of $4,400 and was served by a 60' turntable. An 80' turntable was installed in 1916, which in turn was removed by the modern Wisconsin Central in the late 1990's. Soo Line reached Rhinelander from the west when construction crews got here on 20 November 1886.
Photo Date:  10/11/2013  Upload Date: 7/25/2015 11:34:04 AM
Location:  Rhinelander, WI
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  Scenic,Yard
Locomotives: 
Views:  396   Comments: 1
Soo Line Yard
Title:  Soo Line Yard
Description:  Looking east, toward Goodman, from the west end of the former Soo Line facilities at Argonne. The Argonne Junction wye is about a quarter mile behind the camera. This line is now part of the CN empire, out of service. There has been some stirring along the rail corridor up here to reinstate rail service by some potential and former rail customers who want the line reopened.
Photo Date:  10/13/2013  Upload Date: 7/22/2015 6:51:23 PM
Location:  Argonne, WI
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  Scenic,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  270   Comments: 1
Taking the Southeast Leg of the Wye Toward Shawano
Title:  Taking the Southeast Leg of the Wye Toward Shawano
Description:  The southeast leg of the Argonne Junction wye.
Photo Date:  10/13/2013  Upload Date: 7/22/2015 7:01:45 PM
Location:  Argonne, WI
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  Scenic,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  327   Comments: 1
Argonne Junction
Title:  Argonne Junction
Description:  Just west of Argonne proper, Argonne Junction connected the line heading north from Neenah through Shawano with the line between St. Paul and Slt. Ste. Marie. The view down this former Soo Line right of way is generally west. The track to the right would take one to St. Paull. The track heading to the left, heads south toward Shawano and eventually Neenah where it connects with the line between Fond du Lac and St. Paul.
Photo Date:  10/13/2013  Upload Date: 7/22/2015 7:09:23 PM
Location:  Argonne, WI
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  Scenic,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  254   Comments: 0
Former Soo Line Division Point Yard
Title:  Former Soo Line Division Point Yard
Description:  High Street crosses over the former division point Soo Line yard in Rhinelander along the Soo's original line connecting Minneapolis / St. Paul to Sault Sainte Marie. The red building on the right is the four stall round house bult in 1899.
Photo Date:  10/13/2013  Upload Date: 7/25/2015 2:28:40 PM
Location:  Rhinelander, WI
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  Scenic,Yard
Locomotives: 
Views:  376   Comments: 0
Soo Line Freight House
Title:  Soo Line Freight House
Description:  The Soo Line freight house on Oak Street in Waupaca. In decent repair, and still being cared for, it is still a nice place to watch the trains roll by on the main line up on the embankment. The trains need to come down off the main in Waupaca to serve some local industry. There is a significant grade separation between the industrial lead and the main.
Photo Date:  2/11/2014  Upload Date: 5/8/2015 10:17:17 PM
Location:  Waupaca, WI
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  Scenic,Station
Locomotives: 
Views:  213   Comments: 1
SOO 74274
Title:  SOO 74274
Description:  Looking well used and vandalized, a Soo Line center flow in a popular white/light gray shock of wheat paint scheme.
Photo Date:  6/26/2014  Upload Date: 7/6/2014 12:40:48 PM
Location:  Portage, WI
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  Scenic,RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  142   Comments: 0
SOO 75720
Title:  SOO 75720
Description:  A nice example of an aged "shock of wheat" covered hopper with green lettering.
Photo Date:  6/26/2014  Upload Date: 7/6/2014 12:45:35 PM
Location:  Portage, WI
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  104   Comments: 1
Soo Bridge Across the Manitowoc
Title:  Soo Bridge Across the Manitowoc
Description:  The Soo Line crossed this bridge as it entered the main part of Manitowoc. It passed under the CNW Two Rivers Spur a couple of hundred feet past the rivers edge and continued on to the Soo yard nearby. The track to the yard is now gone and the main line from this bridge is onto the connecting track which puts it on the old Two Rivers Spur. The spur is out of service to Two Rivers but The CN uses it to get to the CNW yard from which they run the local crews. There are still some customers on the Two Rivers Spur in town between this bridge and the yard.
Photo Date:  4/17/2015  Upload Date: 7/31/2015 7:57:21 AM
Location:  Manitowoc, WI
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  Scenic,Bridge
Locomotives: 
Views:  228   Comments: 0
Soo Line Freight House
Title:  Soo Line Freight House
Description:  A view of the former Soo freight house from under the main passing over Oak Street. The low, double ended siding used to work Waupaca Foundry Plant 1 is just visible in the lower left hand corner, near the bridge abutment. Something or someone has managed to damage the Soo sign over the past thirteen months since the previous photo had been taken.
Photo Date:  5/4/2015  Upload Date: 6/18/2015 7:11:04 AM
Location:  Waupaca, WI
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  Scenic,Station,Signal
Locomotives: 
Views:  215   Comments: 2
Soo 321
Title:  Soo 321
Description:  A look at the rear of SOO 321 at Pinecrest Historical Village near Manitowoc. The view is from inside the caboose WC 99006 bringing up the rear of the short train on display there.
Photo Date:  8/3/2015  Upload Date: 10/2/2016 7:49:42 PM
Location:  Manitowoc, WI
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  Scenic
Locomotives:  SOO 321(0-6-0)
Views:  288   Comments: 1
SOO 321 Builders Plate.
Title:  SOO 321 Builders Plate.
Description:  The builders plate on the SOO 321. The 321 is the oldest surviving example of Soo Line steam. The loco is on display at the Pinecrest Historical Village near Manitowoc.
Photo Date:  8/3/2015  Upload Date: 10/2/2016 9:06:36 PM
Location:  Manitowoc, WI
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  Steam
Locomotives:  SOO 321(0-6-0)
Views:  281   Comments: 0
SOO 321
Title:  SOO 321
Description:  Built by the Rhode Island Locomotive Works in 1887, the oldest surviving Soo Line steam locomotive. This is on display at Pinecrest Historical Village near Manitowoc. This village and it's displays are well worth the visit for those interested in history.
Photo Date:  8/3/2015  Upload Date: 10/1/2015 6:44:27 PM
Location:  Manitowoc, WI
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  Roster,Scenic,Steam
Locomotives:  SOO 321(0-6-0)
Views:  393   Comments: 1
Colby Soo Line Station
Title:  Colby Soo Line Station
Description:  The historic Soo Line station preserved in Colby, WI sports the Insulbrick siding that the railroad began to favor in the mid 1900's.
Photo Date:  6/22/2016  Upload Date: 9/22/2017 9:03:35 PM
Location:  Colby, WI
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  Station
Locomotives: 
Views:  117   Comments: 0
The Line Thru Colby
Title:  The Line Thru Colby
Description:  Colby is situated on a former Soo Line right of way that connected Ashland to the main line to Minneapolis/St. Paul at Spencer. This Ashland to Spencer line also connected with the line from Minneapolis/St. Paul to Slt. St. Marie at Prentice. Under the CN, the line from Spencer to the north is now a branch that ends at Medford, about 20 miles north of Colby. In Colby the line is mainly parallel to Highway 13. Looking down the line in the direction of Spencer some silos of the local co-op are visible as well as some boxcars spotted at Packaging Corp. of America. They can be seen by the light colored building behind the crossing gate in the center of the photo.
Photo Date:  6/22/2016  Upload Date: 9/22/2017 9:20:31 PM
Location:  Colby, WI
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  Scenic,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  150   Comments: 0
Soo Line Depot
Title:  Soo Line Depot
Description:  A Soo Line depot still stands in Owen. The building has some new modern windows installed, which would seem to indicate it will be used for quite some time. At Owen, this former Wisconsin Central (Soo Line) R.o.W. diverges to send traffic to either to St. Paul or Duluth. Since CN took over the modern Wisconsin Central, the line to Duluth has greatly increased in traffic volume as it has become part of their Trans-con line to Chicago, and beyond to New Orleans (via IC purchased line).
Photo Date:  6/22/2016  Upload Date: 8/6/2017 9:58:22 AM
Location:  Owen, WI
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  Station
Locomotives: 
Views:  135   Comments: 0
Soo Line Station
Title:  Soo Line Station
Description:  Any doubts of this location are put to rest by the civic pride shown on the water tower. Owen is an active railroad town with plenty to see. The line splits here to run to St. Paul via Chippewa Falls or to head north to Duluth.
Photo Date:  6/22/2016  Upload Date: 8/6/2017 10:06:37 AM
Location:  Owen, WI
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  Station
Locomotives: 
Views:  122   Comments: 0
Colby Soo Line Station
Title:  Colby Soo Line Station
Description:  The historic Soo Line station preserved in Colby. The building is clad in Insulbrick siding that the Soo began to favor for siding its stations in the mid 1900's.
Photo Date:  6/23/2016  Upload Date: 9/22/2017 9:13:46 PM
Location:  Colby, WI
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  Station
Locomotives: 
Views:  122   Comments: 0
SOO 251 at Railroad Memories Museum
Title:  SOO 251 at Railroad Memories Museum
Description:  Built by American Car and Foundry for the Soo Line in March 1907. This caboose was sold in May 2016 and moved to Pioneer Village Museum on July 7 2016. Located just west of Cameron, WI, the Pioneer Village Museum intends to restore the caboose to original. It is a good candidate for such treatment because so much of the interior is still in place. There are excellent photos of the exterior and interior along with progress reports at barroncountymuseumcabooseproject.blogspot.com.
Photo Date:  6/23/2016  Upload Date: 10/3/2017 9:57:48 PM
Location:  Spooner, WI
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  228   Comments: 0
SOO 1
Title:  SOO 1
Description:  A nicely restored Soo Line wide vision caboose at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum.
Photo Date:  6/24/2016  Upload Date: 10/8/2017 9:00:26 PM
Location:  Duluth, MN
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  143   Comments: 0
SOO 700
Title:  SOO 700
Description:  A sharp looking Soo Line unit in one of the favorite paint schemes of my youth. This unit is at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum.
Photo Date:  6/24/2016  Upload Date: 10/8/2017 10:12:06 PM
Location:  Duluth, MN
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  SOO 700(GP30)
Views:  148   Comments: 0
Soo Line Station
Title:  Soo Line Station
Description:  The old Soo Line station in Superior still looks sharp in 2016.
Photo Date:  6/26/2016  Upload Date: 10/26/2017 9:44:15 PM
Location:  Superior, WI
Author:  Richard Hopfensperger
Categories:  Station
Locomotives: 
Views:  108   Comments: 0


Site Design ©2001-2020 Tim Huemmer
Photos © respective authors
  Contact: info@rrpicturearchives.net