WC Wausau Branch

Wisconsin Central It is stated that this company intends soon to build its proposed branch from Abbottsford Wis west to Wausau a distance of about 38 miles

Railway Age Vol 11.  July 1, 1886

WC branch to Lake Geneva

Wisconsin Central It is said that this company build a branch to Lake Geneva Wis either from Burlington or Wheatland The distance is about 12 miles would bring the Wisconsin Central into direct with the Chicago & North Western at one of the summer resort,

Railway  Age Vol 11, Nov 25 1886

More IC to Milwaukee

 Illinois Central A dispatch from Waukesha Wis says that a party of surveyors stated to be in the employ of the Illinois Central railway company is working be tween that place and Milwaukee and it is believed to be the intention to extend the Freeport 6 Madison line to Milwaukee The city of Freeport has offered this company the buildings erected for an iron manufactory on condition that it will locate its division shops and headquarters there and it is thought that the proposition will be accepted

Railway Age Vol 11  Sept 30, 1886

IC north of Madison

THE Illinois Central is said to intend pushing proposed Freeport and Madison road north to a connection with the Milwaukee Lake Shore & railway at Oshkosh Wis thus reaching the lumber and iron regions of northern Wisconsin Michigan and giving them an outlet almost due southward through the heart of Illinois to the Gulf Mexico The distance from Madison to Oshkosh less than 80 miles A company has been to build between these places though the Illinois Central disclaims connection with it.

Railway Age. Vol 11.  Aug 19, 1886

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Madison & Oshkosh Incorporated in Wisconsin to build a railroad from Madison via Columbus and Beaver Dam to Oshkosh a distance of 85 miles passing through the counites of Dane Columbia Dodge Fond du Leo and Winnebago Capital stock $200,000 Incorporators Daniel Campbell AC Parkinson Frank F Proudfit and John H Clark all of Madison and HB Harshaw Osh kosh A dispatch says that it is thought to be an Illinois Central scheme to get connection at Oshkosh with the Milwaukee 8 Northern and Wisconsin Central for Ashland thus avoiding the building of an independent line from Madison to Lake Superior

Railway Age. Vol 11.  Aug 19, 1886

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Illinois Central railroad company noted for its conservatism finds itself compelled by activity of its competitors to also join in the movement of extension It has already commenced for a line from Chicago to Freeport Ill and north with the apparent intention of pushing on St Paul Madison the capital of Wisconsin about miles east of north from Freeport is one of the objective points and the company is stated to have purchased depot grounds there Few railways in country are on a more solid financial basis than Illinois Central and if it considers it expedient parallel the lines of its rivals throughout the northwest it is abundantly able to do so

Railway Age. Vol 11.  Jul 29, 1886

Milwaukee Southern

The new Milwaukee Southern RR is having hard sledding particularly since it ran up against the nine Socialist aldermen who form one of the unique exhibits of Schlitztown How they came to fall in lin_e with the representatives of the 10cal traflic trust is not easily explained they haven t been able to give any intelligent explanation but it looks as though their votes might block the whole scheme Poor Milwaukee seems fated to be second in railroad facilities to thousands of country cross road stations that have some choice of carrying routes However protest meetings of citizens may have some effect Receivers here are greatly interested in the opening of the Rosebud Indian Reservation for the reason that it lies directly west of a rich territory recently tapped by the Milwaukee road on one side of the Missouri and the NW on the other which is furnishing heavy shipments for this market The differentials are so low as to place Minneapolis practically out of competition and local dealers are thus enabled to recoup a portion of the losses which they have sustained to that terminal in the sections lying farther north It is hoped that rails will speedily be laid through the land now made available for settlement which is said to be very productive Private advices to local receivers indicate that while there has been much dainage from rust in certain sections it will be fully or more than oflset by the enormously increased production in others particularly in Southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa Barley oats and rye are bringing forth bumper yields and the outlook is favorable for corn so that local grain men are looking forward to a big year Such new grain as is coming in proves to be of excellent quality being in most cases plump sound and dry the three requisites for prompt and favorable sale The only exceptions are samples of rust blighted wheat although fit only for chicken feed However feed of any kind is a profitable commodity nowadays

It will be of interest to the trade at large to know what connections are promised by the new Milwaukee Southern R y which is now contending for the right to build into this city They are as follows C B & Q Great Western Ill Cen Rock Island Santa Fe Iowa Cent Ind Ill & Ia Alton Vandalia Chi Peoria & St L Big Four Lake Erie & W Toledo Peoria & W Peoria & Pekin Pere Marquette by car ferry and Wis Cen at Burlington Wis It can readily be seen what the building of such a line means to Milwaukee and the citizens are thoroughly aroused over the action of the common council in holding it up Hamlet's remark about something rotten appears to apply very handily so much so that mass meetings of protest are being called

Grain Dealers Journal Vol XIII No.1   July 10, 1904

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The ordinance recently passed by the city council of Milwaukee granting a franchise to the Milwaukee Southern Railway opens the door of Milwaukee to more railroads and loosens the grip of the two great corporations that have hitherto enjoyed a complete monopoly of the railway business into Milwaukee Lake Michigan with its car ferries and numerous lines of steamers fortunately ensuring an open outlet to the commerce of the city That the new road will be the means of bringing us into closer communication with the numerous trunk lines running into Chicago from the west and south and possibly opening the way for a direct new road to Chi cago seems highly probable The Illinois Steel Company alone can furnish almost or quite enough freight to keep one road profitably employed between its works at Milwaukee Chicago and Joliet and every road running into Chicago from the southwest will welcome an additional outlet at Milwaukee Chicago no longer possesses adequate harbor facilities to accommodate the immense freight traffic of the roads concentrated at that point and South Chicago is not as readily accessible to them as Milwaukee will be in the future with its unrivaled harbor and twenty one foot channels to every part thereof The harbor of Chicago is practically inaccessible to the big steame rs that are now carrying the great bulk of the commerce of the great lakes The tunnels prevent their taking full cargoes either in or out and the drainage canal has created such a swift current as to render navigation on the inner harbor extremely hazardous to the big carriers Already Chicago has lost the heavy lake coal trade which is every year increasing at Milwaukee and other lake ports It is only a question of time when the grain trade of Chicago will seek the same channels and if Milwaukee is awake to the opportunity a large share of it will come our way

Annual Report of the Trade and Commerce of Milwaukee, Volume 48

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Milwaukee Southern Ry Co Press reports state that Milwaukee Wis may be on the direct lines of the Chicago Burlington & Quincy the Wabash and the Illinois Central railroads providing the Milwaukee Southern Ry Co succeeds in building to Milwaukee and securing a desirable West Side terminal HD Judson Gen Supt of the Illinois district of the Chicago Burlington & Quincy RR in company with Attorney Miller of Chicago have recently made a trip to Milwaukee to investigate preparatory to the consideration of a proposition to enter Milwaukee over the lines of this road from De Kalb or Rockford Ill under a traffic agreement to which the Southern would be a willing party The Southern is the road which proposes an air line from East St Louis and has already secured a right of way into Milwaukee

Engineering World Vol IV No 8

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Milwaukee Southern Defunct The Milwaukee Southern Railway Company a corporation which two years ago secured valuable franchises from this city and which agreed to build a road from Rockford Ill to this city is defunct It has given up all its real estate holdings in the city and county as well as its franchises A lack of financial aid to build the road is given as the cause

The Commercial West - Saturday Aug 17, 1907

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WILL SPEND MILLIONS That the United States Steel Corporation is in earnest in its reported plans for a railway to connect Milwaukee Gary and Joliet was made evident during the week when a trust deed was executed at Chicago to the St Louis Trust Company at St Louis for $20,000,000 to provide funds for the road The plans grew out of the failure of the Milwaukee Southern deal which road was to connect Milwaukee and East St Louis by way of Joliet and by acquisition of the Illinois Iowa and Minnesota Railway Of the money raised at St Louis $5 500,000 is to pay for the later road which will form part of the new system_ It is said that the Steel Corporation is work ing through St Louis capitalists in securing the construction of the new I O Hl which will connect the Allis Chalmers Company's plant and the Bay View Rolling mills of the Illinois Steel Company at Milwaukee with the Steel Corporation's ary mills and the Joliet plant of the Illois Steel Company There have been heavy transfers of land along the proposed right of way of the new road near Milwaukee recently and it is said that the preliminary work has all be done The new road will be a Steel Conporation belt line around Chicago intersecting every railway entering Chicago

Industrial World, April 27 1908

Wisconsin Midland

WISCONSIN MIDLAND RAILWAY COMPANY Waupun Chester Division

Articles of incorporation filed and patent issued June 1 1907

Capital stock $80,000 Incorporators and directors
  Thomas R Mercein
  DeWitt C West
  Charles Schley
  Ralph M Friend
  Earl C Juneau

Route From the city of Waupun to the village of Chester Dodge county, Length about 2 1/2 miles

Milwaukee Rockford & Eastern

Milwaukee Rockford & Eastern (II & M) Rockford Ill to Milwaukee Wis 103 miles HW Seaman president Chicago

 Milwaukee Southern Milwaukee to Aurora Ill 100 miles HC Wood president Chicago EM Spauldlng chief engineer Milwaukee Wis

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Railway Age, Mar 22, 1907, page 425

More IC-WC

From the Lakes to Gulf. For weeks agents for an unknown railroad company have boldly bought its way through the heart of Superior taking in large business structures in the path. It was disclosed recently that the purchases are for the Illinois Central which intends to build southeast to Marshficld Wis to connect with the Wisconsin Central which it is announced has been sold to the Illinois Central. The building of this road would give the Illinois Central a complete north and south line from the head of the lakes to the gulf.  Sept 17, 1902

An Unlikely Rumor A rumor going the rounds in railroad circles in Minneapolis credits the Illinois Central with the purchase of the Wisconsin Central system and the intention of building a line to the Head of the Lakes.   Oct 1, 1904.

International Ry Journal Vol 12


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RAILWAY WORLD NEWS AND COMMENT Wisconsin Central Advance

The present active speculation in Wisconsin Central is being promoted by rumors of its prospective purchase by connecting roads whose interests might be strengthened by a Chicago and St Paul extension. Mr Morgan's testimony in the Northern Securities case which implied the early abandonment of Wisconsin Central in planning for a Chicago connection can be made to work both ways in considering the present rumors which make the Illinois Central anxious to secure Wisconsin Central in extending its system from Chicago to St Paul. Supposing that Illinois Central is anxious for such connections it can be reasonably doubted whether the strategic and earning value of Minneapolis and St Louis will be overlooked in favor of Wisconsin Central. In an article February 24 The Financier reviewed the position of the Minneapolis and St Louis Gross earnings for last year were $3,275,504. In 1895 they were $1,823,998 showing an increase during that period of $1,451,606 or nearly 100 per cent. The surplus after last year's operations amounted to $553,762 which is equal to more than 6 per cent on the common stock after liberai maintenance charges were deducted. It may be of interest at the present time to take up the Wisconsin Central. The Wisconsin Central Railway system was organized in 1899 to succeed the Wisconsin Company and extends from Chicago north to connect with the line that runs west from Manitowoc to St Paul and Minneapolis and north to Ashland Wisconsin and Lake Superior iron mines. At Manitowoc connection is made by ferry line across Lake Michigan with Ann Arbor, Pere Marquette, and Big Four Railroads.

The average mileage operated during 1901 was 955 miles. The Wisconsin Central was one of the few roads reporting a general decrease in earnings for the fiscal year ending June 30 1901 Freight passenger and miscellaneous earnings all show a total decrease in gross earnings amounting to $313,142 The following table gives a comAprehensive idea of the operation for the past two years 1901 1900 Mileage 955 945 Gross earnings $5,324,274 $5,637,415 Net earnings 1,857,811 2,056,480 App of gross income for main 20.7 22 2 App of gross income for conducting transp & general expenses 44.1 41.1 App of gross inc for fixed charges 30.5 27.3 App of gross income for surplus 4.7 8.9 The percentage of operating expenses shows an increase of nearly 2 per cent in the percentage to gross earnings and this increase is directly attributed to enlarged conductlng transportation general expenses The maintenance expenditures show a decrease of over $150,000 During 1900 conducting transportation and general expenses took 41 per cent of gross earnings The increase to 44 per cent in the past year shows an unduly large amount and indicates either a very poor physical condition poor operating eiiiciency or unusual traiflc conditions affecting the company The last report ignores an explanation of the poor showing and omits entirely the table giving the character and percentage of traiflc handled during the year The average number of revenue tons per train increased from 258.09 to 259.98 and this comparatively unimportant increase does not appear to have been due to increased ethciency shown in train loading The average number of tons per car shows an actual decrease from 14.47 tons in 1900 to 14.31 tons during 1901 The increased average number of tons per train was accompanied by larger number or cars carried per train The earnings per freight train mile increased from $1.89 to $1.91 an increase of 2 cents per train mile but the rate per train increased from 731 cents to 742 an increase of 011 cents The increased rate received accounts for the increased earnings per freight train The authorized capital of the Wisconsin Central is $30,000,000 and on January 1 1902 there was outstanding $17,500,000 common stock and $12,500,000 preferred There was an increase of $331,500 preferred and 51.904500 common made in its outstanding stock during the past year At the same time the funded debt was increased $1,358,000 making the total amount $27,634,500 with annual interest charges of $1,104,200 The increased capitalization was made for the Marshfield and Southern acquisition and to liquidate reorganization controls The preferred stock is limited to non cumulative dividends of 4 per cent per annum The surplus for 1900 of $492,915 is equal to 4.3 per cent upon that stock and the surplus of $246.11 shown in the last report is equal to 2 per cent upon the same stock According to the monthly reports issued the earnings for the first seven months of the current fiscal year indicate an increase of $349,334 in gross and $119,350 in net earnings If the present earnings are maintained throughout the year the road will not show net earnings much over 4 per cent on the preferred stock and the very best re sults from such earnings could be obtained in an eiiort directed towards physical improving and a higher develop ment of operating efficiency The Illinois Central may get control of Wisconsin Central but it can be more easily figured that when the time comes for an invasion into that territory it will be through the Minneapolis and St Louis In the meantime it is more than likely that the advance in Wisconsin Central is entirely speculative 

Financier Vol 79 April 7, 1902

Illinois Central Plans - CM&N

Chicago, Aug 2. - Articles of incorporation for the new northwestern line of the Illinois Central were filed at Springfield, Ill. and Madison, Wis yesterday afternoon.  The new line will be known as the Chicago, Madison & Northern Railway Company.  It has been the opinion that the Illinois Central simply meant to build an independent line between Chicago and its mainline at Freeport with the view of establishing a through route to St. Paul by utilizing its Iowa leased lines north from Dubuque.  But it is now found that it means to cross its mainline and Freeport and build right on to Madison, Wis.  Where it will go from Madison has not yet been learned.  Illinois Central officials say they mean to stop at Madison.  But it is hardly probable that Madison will always be its northern terminus.  It evidently has some further extensions in view, but that will probably be dependong upon the spirit shown toward it by other WIsconsin Roads.

So far as can be ascertained nothing has yet been decided regarding the lease of the Illinois Central's Iowa lines, which expires next year.  If the Illinois Central means to have an independent through line between Chicago & St. Paul it has to renew the lease of its Iowa lines.  The Illinois Central people say no steps have yet been taken regarding the renewal of the lease of the Iowa lines and that they are by no means certain yet that the leases will be renewed.  It is quite probable that the construction of the new line to Madison has for its object the prevention of further competition for the lease of the Iowa lines by the Northwestern.  If the Northwestern keeps on bidding for the Iowa lines or succeeds in getting them, the Illinois Central no doubt intends to push its line from Madison north through those portion of Wisconsin where the Northwestern has now its stronghold.

NY Times Aug 3, 1886

Milwaukee - Illinois coal line

It is stated that the scheme to build a railroad from the Illinois coal fields to Milwaukee which has been talked of ever since the visit of DS Mitchell of New York last Spring is soon tobe put into operation. Those interested have advertised for bids for the construction of the road It is rumored that either the Wisconsin Central or the Illinois Central people are backing the enterprise.

Coal Trade Journal - Vol 26  Jan 5, 1887

St Louis, Peoria & Northern RR

It is reported that the Illinois Central will build the proposed extension of this road from Peoria, IL to Clinton IA and that it will also build on from Clinton to a connection with it's Iowa line.

Railway Age Vol 29 - March 16, 1900

Novel Milwaukee Franchise

Common Council grants to a railroad unprecedented priveleges.

Milwaukee, Wis., Aug. 27 - The Milwaukee, Burlington and Lake Geneva Railroad now holds the most valuable franchise ever given to a railroad company in MIlwaukee.  It was granted by the Common Council in the face of active opposition of citizens and property owners, all of whom were entirely disregarded.  The franchise is for an electric elveated road, is unlimited as to time and permits of the running of freight trains through the city.

No compenstation is to be paid by the road except to abutting property owners who may be damaged.  The central terminus is at Michigan and Milwaukee Streets, in the heart of the East Side.  Clarence S. Darrow of Chicago is said to be one of the promoters of the line, and many theories are advanced as to who is back of the scheme.

The passage of this franchise through the Council is a municipal mustery.  No one has ever appeared before the committees and given a clear explanation what the pfranchise is wanted for.  The promoters have not been required to show what backing there is to the road or they are going to build it.  It is generally supposed that some railroad which wants to gain an entrance to the city is behind the project and has taken this means of its ends.

NY Times Aug 28, 1901

IC to Lake Geneva?

I recently came across this map on ebay that shows a few "IC" lines that I have never seen before.  Namely the line from the Chicago area to about Mendota IL (via the CB&Q?) and the line from Chicago to Lake Geneva (WI).  Being from Burlington this Lake Geneva line piqued my interest.  First off, yes this is an actual Illinois Central map, dated December 31, 1920, and it is listed as "Poole Bros, Chicago" which I assume to be the printer.

Taking a close look it looks like the alignment follows the C&NW from Chicago up to Crystal Lake, and then north to Lake Geneva.  This makes me think that it was the C&NW line (and not an IC line per se) and may have been included by the IC for marketing purposes considering the tourist draw of the Geneva Lakes area.

In printing (upon close examination) it appears that there was an issue with the alignment between the black ink and the red ink.  If you look closely below all the red lines you can vaguely make out white blank areas where the red lines *should* have printed.  Not to mention that the red lines do seem offset from the correct locations of many parts of the line.

The Illinois Central, It is said, will absorb the MIssouri, Kansas & Texas Line.

Chicago, June 1. - It is reported that the next big railroad deal in connection with the western roads will be the absorption of the MIssouri, Kansas and Texas by the Illinois Central.  The basis of this deal, it is said, will be either a perpetual leave of the "Katy" property by the Illinois Central, on the guarantee of agreed dividends upon its entire issue of stock or the exchange of the stock for bonds guaranteed by the Illinois Central on the same plan as Burlington stock has been exchanged for bonds guaranteed by the Northern Pacific and the Great Northern.

For many years Harriman interests have had a strong representation in the Illinois Central and now they are the predominating power in the Missouri, Kansas & Texas affairs.  The most recent undertakings of the Illinois Central have been in reaching out for Omaha and St. Paul traffic, and in arranging to participate to an appreciable degree in transcontinental busisiness.

NY Times June 2, 1901

Through New Orleans-St. Paul Route --- IC

Chicago, Sept. 18.-The Illinois Central Railroad COmpany announved today that it will open its St. Paul line Nov. 2.  This move will give that company the only through route from New Orleans to St. Paul under one management.  Trains will run over the Illinois Central tracks to Albert Lea by way of Dubuque, and from ALbert Lea to St. Paul over the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern.

NY Times Sept 19, 1902

Extension of the Illinois Central - Twin Cities

St. Paul, Jan. 29 - The Illinois Central Road is reaching out to the Northwest for big traffic for the Chicago fair.  This fact was dropped today by Division Superintendent E.G. Russell of that company.  In an interview while waiting for a train he said: "I had a consultation with President Fish relative to extending the road from Madison to Portage, a distance of about forty miles, and from that point to Minneapolis & St. Paul.  President Fish thinks that the Illinois Central should run into those cities. The decision to build is practically final.  The question to be determined is the route to be taken.  President Fish thinks that it is possible to build through a good section of the country some distance from competitve roads and not by the Portage Route."

NY Times - Jan 30, 1891

UP-SP merger - IC response

something a little more modern...............


Company news; Illinois Central seeks to acquire 3 rail lines

Bloomberg Business News

Published: November 16, 1995

 

The Illinois Central Corporation said yesterday that it wanted to acquire three lines of the Southern Pacific Rail Corporation near the Gulf of Mexico because of the Union Pacific Corporation's proposed $4 billion acquisition of Southern Pacific. Illinois Central said it had filed with the Interstate Commerce Commission to buy Southern Pacific lines between Memphis and Dallas; Houston and Brownsville, Texas; and New Orleans and Houston. Illinois Central said it would seek to buy the lines if the Interstate Commerce Commission determined that the merger agreement between Union Pacific and Southern Pacific was anti-competitive.
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By Bloomberg Business News

Published: February 3, 1996

BETHLEHEM, Pa., Feb. 2— The Union Pacific Corporation signed an agreement this week that would end the Illinois Central Corporation's opposition to its proposed $5.4 billion acquisition of the Southern Pacific Rail Corporation.

If the acquisition is approved by Federal regulators, Union Pacific will sell to Illinois Central a rail line currently owned by Southern Pacific that runs between Church and Valley Junction in Illinois. Union Pacific would retain the right to run its trains on the track.

In addition, the agreement includes a plan for the newly merged company and Chicago-based Illinois Central to operate where the two railroads' tracks come together. It also provides for cooperation in a possible plan to market forest products, coal and chemicals.

In return, Illinois Central agreed not to oppose the proposed merger, Union Pacific said.

The merger would create one of the nation's largest railroads, with 31,000 miles of track in 25 states.

 

 

New Line for Pennsylvania

Menominee, Mich., May 9.-A big railroad scheme is likely to develop here within a sort time.  Representatives of the Pennsylvania Railroad are now at Minneapolis figuring on a line to be built between that city and Marinette, by which a connection will be formed with the Grand Trunk Road and the Pennsylvania by a car ferry at either Grand Haven or Muskegon, on the east shore of Lake Michigan.

NY Times - May 10, 1901

Illinois Central Extension - Fond du Lac

Decided to build from Madison to Fond du Lac.

Oconto, Wis., Sept.11. - From a well known railway official it was learned today that the Illinois Central Railway Company has practically decided to extend its line from Madison to Fond du Lac, thus extending the plan to make Fond Du Lac a big railway center.

It is part of the scheme to make both the Wisconsin Central and Illinois Central Railroad feeders from Fond Du Lac to Manitowoc with the car ferry route to Ann Arbor, Mich.

New York Times - Sept 12, 1899