Congress to hear consolidation plan for five railroads

The consolidation of many as five of the nation's railroads into “one strong Midwestern road” will be proposed to Congress in hearings scheduled today by the House transportation subcommittee.

John W. Ingram, president of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, who said he would propose the plan, disclosed yesterday that he would seek to link the Rock Island with some sections of the Chicago, Milwaukee. St. Paul and Pacific Railroad and the Iowa and South Dakota lines of the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad.

 

As part of the plan—known as FarmRail — both the Missouri‐Kansas‐Texas Railroad and the Kansas City Southern Railway might also become part of the consolidation, he said. He said that “FarmRail will not be a Midwestern Conrail"—a remark apparently meant to convey that the proposed road would not look to the Government for support. Nevertheless, he said that the plan might be moved along more quickly through Government loans authorized under the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976.

 

Mr. Ingram did not mention any specific loan to be sought, although $1.6 billion in Federally guaranteed funds have been earmarked for that purpose under the act.

   

The Rock Island executive, outlining the plan in broad strokes, said FarmRail would not necessarily be a corporation on its own but added that it “eventually could be.”  It will not be an operating railroad,” he added, “it will be a consortium of railroads, operated in their joint best interest.”

 

Moreover, he maintained, no monopoly would he created because of competition from the Chicago and North Western Railway between Chicago and Omaha. He further noted that no investment would be‐required to set up the system.

 

Those taking part would use joint terminals, rail yards and equipment and share each other's tracks. The Rock Island, for example, late last year completed arrangements with the Milwaukee Road to share the same line between Kansas City, Mo. and Davenport, Iowa, a 243 mile stretch, that will cut duplicate trackage, reduce costs and eliminate safety hazards.

 

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NY Times 1/5/1978

Illinois Central - stance on the C&NW-MILW merger

Stockholders of the Illinois Central were also contacted by their management yesterday.  In an eight-page pamphlet, the carrier outlined its objection to a planned merger of the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroads.

The Illinois Central said it would not oppose the merger if it was given the opportunity to purchase a 70-mile portion of the Milwaukee's tracks and right-of-way, "or alternatively to use" the line, which stretches from Lyle to Northfield, Minn.  This trackage would create a new primary rail route between Chicago and Minneapolis-St. Paul.

The Illinois Central, since 1960, has reached the Twin Cities from Chicago via the so-called Albert Lea route, whereby Illinois Central trains operate directly to Albert Lea, Minn., and jointly with the Chicago & North Western from Albert lea to the Twin Cities.

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NY Times 12/6/1966

WC into Milwaukee

Milwaukee seems determined to have the Wisconsin Central. The committee appointed by the Merchants and Manufacturers' Association has reported against a proposition to encourage the
Milwaukee Terminal & Traffic company and also against aiding a new railway company which purposes to build from the Mississippi river to Milwaukee. The committee recommends that an effort
be made to induce the Wisconsin Central to extend its line into the city. The Wisconsin Central directors will have a meeting on the 13th at which Milwaukee's proposition will be considered.
- The Manitowoc Pilot 12/7/1899

Milwaukee Offers Racine Southwestern Division at a Bargain

WOULD SELLTHE LINE

Milwaukee Offers Racine Southwestern Division at a Bargain.
AT 25 PER CENT BELOW COST,
Reason for tha Reported desire of the officers to Dispose of the Branch Is That It is Not a Paying Investment, Although the Impression is Company has always Been Doing good Business.

The officials of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road desires, it if said, to sell the division extending from Rock Island to Racine, Wis., for the reason that it is not a paying line. An offer has been made to Milwaukee county for the sale of this line, but whether it will be accepted is a question.
Although this division may not be doing a large business as far as passenger traffic is concerned. the line does an enormous freight business, and every day a train of from fifteen to thirtycars is brought into Rock Island and the same number taken away from here.

Benjamin M. Weil has been authorized by a leading oflicial of the Milwaukee road to say that, the railroad company is willing to sell to Milwaukee county its Racine & Southwestern branch for 25 per cent less than its original cost and about 50 per cent less than it would cost to build it at the present time. In addition to this, according to a statement made by Mr. Weil, the company would lease to
the county its Milwaukee terminal facilities for 25 per cent less than the real estate could be bought and terminals built by the county.

Cities on Division.
The Racine & Southwestern branch of the Milwaukee road begins at Western Union Junction and from there goes directly southwest. The principal cities it touches are Burlington. Springfield. Elkhorn, Delavan, Clinton Junction. Beloit, Rockton, Freeport, Kittredge, Savanna, Fulton. Moline and Rock Island, on the Mississippi river. The entire length of the line is 196 miles.

- Rock Island Argus 2/22/1900

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It is said to be extremely doubtful that the Milwaukee County Board will order an election called to vote $800,000 aid to the railway project known as the Southwestern. Milwaukee is now pinning its faith to the Wisconsin Central.

- Manitowoc Pilot 12/7/1899

IC into Milwaukee - Milwaukee & Southwestern

NEW railway project.
The Illinois Wants a Good Road Into the Cream City For Coal Trade.
Milwaukee, Jan. 6. —The Journal this evening said: “The Milwaukee &. Southwestern road that was recently incorporated under the laws of the state, is nothing more or less than an off-shoot from the Illinois Central,’’ said a well-informed railway man this morning. “Theroad will be built from Milwaukee to a point near Lake Geneva on the state line, and the Illinois Central will build up from Aurora to meet it. The object on the part of the Illinois Central is to get a through line into Milwaukee so that they can compete in the coal trade.”

- Wood County Reporter  1/12/1888

A New Railway System

Negotiations to secure an unbroken connection between Milwaukee & New Orleans

Richmond, Ind., Oct. 25. _ Close on the heels of the announcement from Milwaukee that the Cincinnati, Richmond & Muncie Railroad. the new Cincinnati-Chicago short line, is to gain access to that city by a traffic agreement with the Pere Marquette system which will run a car ferry between Milwaukee and Lacrosse, Ind., comes the added information that Cincinnati is not to be the southern terminal.  Instead the present indications point to a connection with the Cincinnati Southern Railroad. thus making a direct line from Milwaukee to New Orleans.  The report is confirmed by an official of the new road, who says it is substantially correct.

The construction of a "Y" is all that is necessary to connect the two systems.  There is no formal agreement as yet, but the feeling between the companies is of the most cordial nature.  Henry C. Starr of this city, general counsel for the road, did not confirm the report but said the company has an important deal on.

NY Times 10-26-1902

Detroit, Toledo & Milwaukee

Calvin S. Brice takes hold and the offices may be moved to Toledo.

Toledo, Ohio, March 28. - Calvin S. Brice has again taken hold of the Detroit, Toledo & Milwaukee Line.  It is to have a complete new roster of officers.  N.K. Elliott has assumed management of the operating department, and new traffic officials are to be appointed soon.

The Lima & Northern evidently failed to pay the purchase price it was to put up for the road, and J.H. Seamons, representing Mr. Brice, came on to arrange the details for getting it back.  He is the financial manager of the road.

Among the early probabilities is the accepted one that headquarters will be removed to this city.  It is currently rumored an independent line will be tacked on the Michigan end of the road.

NY Times 3-29-1898

A Michigan Railroad Scheme

Holland, Mich., Oct. 1. - It is asserted by a resident capitalist who has interested himself in the scheme that the Detroit, Lima, and Northern Road will purchase the Allegan branch of the Chicago and West Michigan Road and make Holland its main port on the east of Lake Michigan, running a carferry between here and Milwaukee.  The name of the road will be the Detroit, Toledo, and Milwaukee.

NY Time 10-2-1897

New Line to Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wis., Dec. 21. - Milwaukee merchants and shippers are in receipt of a prospectus issued by the Central Michigan Railroad Company and the Michigan and Ohio Belt Line Railroad Company, which propose to furnish Milwaukee with new railroad connections with the east.  Local railroad men who have no interest in the project say they understand the projectors of the roads have good financial backing.

The object of the organization of the companies named is to maintain a continues line of rail and water way from Milwaukee by way of Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, Battle Creek, Coldwater, and Camden. Mich.; Napoleon, Bowling Green, Fremont, and Cleveland, Ohio.  This line with car ferry connections between Milwaukee and Grand Haven, would carry through freight to the Atlantic seaports, including Newport News, while freight westbound could be sent all over the Northwest from Milwaukee.

The railroad connections of the line as proposed will be the Chicago and Grant Trunk, Pennsylvania, Michigan Central, Lake Shore, Baltimore and Ohio, Erie, and the Norfolk and Western.  It will also make direct connections with the Cincinnati Northern and the Cincinnati, Hamilton, and Dayton for Cincinnati and southern Points.

An issue of $7,000,000 5% first mortgage gold bonds has been arranged for.

NY Times  12-22-1898

Rockefeller buys railway (WC)

Wisconsin Central now controlled by Standard Oil, it is said.
(Special to the New York Times).

St. Paul, Minn., Fed. 17. - It was learned today, through an officer of the Wisconsin Central Railroad, that the Standard Oil Company has acquired a controlling interest in that road, and is financing the extension from Ladysmith, Wis,. to Superior and Duluth, and is also financing the extension of the Duluth, Rainy River, and Winnipeg Road, which extends through the iron ore range, on which the Rockefeller interests own a large area.

John D. Rockefeller is said to have personally directed this project, which has, it is understood, brought the Wisconsin Central under his control by the purchase of stock.  It is alleged that all the northern lines, the United States Steel Company's Road, the Great Northern, and the Northern Pacific have refused to haul the iron ore of the Rockefeller mines, and that the purchase of the Wisconsin Central or a controlling interest in the road, is for the purpose of getting an outlet to the ports of Lake Superior, Milwaukee, and Chicago.

----- NY Times 2/18/1906

Another Milwaukee Southern article

ROADS TO ENTER MILWAUKEE.
Burlington, Wabash and Illinois Central Have Building Plans.

••Milwaukee. Wis., July 26.—Rumors in railroad circles are crystalizing to the effect that Milwaukee will be placed on the direct lines of the Chicago Burlington and Quincy railway system, the Wabash railway and the Illinois Central, provided that the Milwaukee Southern succeeds in building lines in to this city for which franchises have been granted.

The visit to this city ais week of H. I). Judson, general superintendent of the Illinois district of the Burlington, with Attorney Miller of Chicago, Ill. said to have had the purpose of ascertaining the lay of the land here, preparatory to considering a proposal to enter Milwaukee over the Milwaukee
Southern line from De Kalb and Rock ford, Ill.

It is said that at present the Milwaukee-Southern has not the money to build its proposed lines and that the Burlington or some other railway has been asked to lend financial as well as moral support.

Evening times-Republican. (Marshalltown, Iowa), July 26, 1906

New Railroad in Northern Illinois

[From the Rock Island Argus]

The Northern Railroad is the name of the corporation which is now building a line from Rock Island via Fulton to Racine, Wis.  The iron will be laid to Fulton today (Saturday, July 22), which completes the road from Fulton to Racine, Wis.  The road is graded from Fulton to Cordova, and the work is being pushed forward as fast as men and money can do it.  The iron for the road from Fulton to this city has been all purchased and is afloat.  A bill of lading for it has been received, and it will soon begin to arrive.

The company is composed of wealthy Scotch capitalists, and there will be no delay in getting the road in running order to this city.

We believe it is also contemplated to extend the road to Warsaw.

Burlington Standard Press 8/2/1865

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

A New Railway System - Negotations to secure an unbroken connection between Milwaukee & New Orleans

Richmond, Ind., Oct. 25 - Close on the heels of the announcement from Milwaukee that the Cincinnati, Richmond and Muncie Railroad, the new Cincinnati-Chicago short line, is to gain access to that city by a traffic agreement with the Pere Marquette system which will run a car ferry between Milwaukee and Lacrosse, Ind., comes the added information that Cincinnati is not to be the southern terminal.  Instead the present indications point to a connection with the Cincinnati Southern Railroad, thus making a direct line from Milwaukee to New Orleans.  The report is confirmed by an official of the new road who says it is substantially correct.

The construction of a "Y" is all that is necessary to connect the two systems.  There is no formal agreement as yet but the feeling between the companies is of the most cordial nature.

Henry C Starr of this city, general counsel for the new road, did not confirm the report but said the company has an important deal on.

Sold to Wisconsin Central - Milwaukee terminal facilities

Milwaukee, Wis., Sept. 16 - An important sale has been made in Milwaukee that means a great deal considered in connection with the moves of railway companies.  The Shea and George Company's docks and freighthouse in Erie St. have been sold for $300,000 to the WIsconsin Central.  It is a part of the plan of the corportation to secure a foothold in Milwaukee for yard and station purposes.  The Shea & George docks are among the most valuable in the city, and are now used for the transfer of all vessel freight for the Northwestern and for eastern points for the Northwestern's connections/  At present the Northwestern has four or five tracks to the docks, virtually monopolizing Erie St. and the immediate vicinity.

Chicago-Milwaukee Terminal & Belt Line Company

A company has been formed in Milwaukee to build a terminal road to be known as the CHicago-Milwaukee Terminal and Belt Line Company.  The company will be capitalized for $6,000,000.  The purpose of the company is to build a terminal which will be capable of accomodating seven large railroads.  Among the Milwaukee men interested are Captain Fred Pabst, Burnham Brothers, and the Pfister & Vogel Leather Company.

NY Times - July 19, 1894

NYC & Monon Carferries to Milwaukee?

New Milwaukee Terminal

Shipping Line also to build one at Michigan City

Milwaukee, Aug 7, - Expansion of the scope of the Milwaukee, Chicago, & Michigan City Line was announced here today, providing for the acquisition of additional ships, the building of terminals here and at Michigan City, and the extension of service of the New York Central and Monon routes into this territory.

Present plans, expected to be in effect by next spring include the erection here of a great terminal on the docks north of the river, the building of a $1,500,000 terminal on the plan of the Bush Terminal, New York, at Michigan City Ind; the acquisition of three steel ships from the United States Shipping Board and an outlet to Milwaukee for the New York Central and Monon Routes.

The additional ships will give the company a fleet of eight.  In addition a working agreement has been effected with the Tri-State Steamship Company to give Milwaukee shippers another all water route to Detroit, Cleveland, and Buffalo.

NY Times Aug 8, 1920

Wabash carferry to Milwaukee?

Milwaukee Wabash Terminal

Line to be Extended to Benton Harbor, Mich., and connection made by car ferries.

Milwaukee, Aug. 15 - The announcement was made by officials of the Wabash line who are in the the city today that Milwaukee is to be made the terminal of the Wabash Railroad through a car ferry connection with Benton Harbor, Mich.  The line of the road from a point near South Bend, Ind., will be extended to South Bend, and from there to Benton Harbor

A system of car ferries will be run from Benton Harbor to Milwaukee.  Terminal facilities will be intalled on property on the lake front which will cost in the neighborhood of $5 million.

NY Times - August 16, 1903

Opposes Competitive Road - IC into Milwaukee

St . Paul Line endeavors to keep Illinois Central out of Milwaukee.

Milwaukee, WI. Sept 8 - the Chicago, Milwaukee, & St. Paul Railroad will make every possible effort to keep the Illinois Central out of Milwaukee.  This was today when the Milwaukee Southern Railroad, the line by which the Illinois Central Road hopes to get access to this city, tried to secure condemnation in a court of a right of way through the southern part of the city.

The Illinois Central plans to build a line into Northern WIsconsin, and is understood to be reaching out for a share of the northern Michigan ore traffic.  In such an event its lines would reach from the Gulf of Mexico to Lake Superior, but the roads which already have terminals in MIlwaukee will fight the project.

When a tract near a city park was asked to be condemned for a right of way, two local officials of the St Paul appeared in court to protest and asked the court to refuse to permit the building of the road, saying that is construction would impair the beauty of the city park.  The court took the application under advisement.

New York Times  Sept 9 1903.

Milwaukee Terminal Railroad



I had never heard of this venture before.  I know that there was a "Milwaukee Terminal" that was a joint venture of the Milwaukee Road and Northern Pacific in the Puget Sound area but that's not this one.  This venture appears to be related to a couple of railroads without access to the city of Milwaukee trying to gain access to the city.  It mentions the Wisconsin Central and I have seen mentions of the Wisconsin Central intending to use the former Fox River Valley right-of-way from Burlington to Milwaukee for Milwaukee access.  I had also heard about plans for the Illinois Central to access Milwaukee via the same/similar route.  However, this is the first that I have heard about the Chicago, Burlington, & Quincy, Northern Pacific, Rock Island, and/or Baltimore & Ohio attempting to gain access to Milwaukee.  Please note that it says the previous mentioned railroads are "believed" to be backing the company; it does not say with absolute certainty.