What is the Soo Line Railroad's current role within the CPKC Railway?

The Soo Line Railroad serves as one of the primary United States railroad subsidiaries for the CPKC Railway, operating under the control of the Soo Line Corporation. It is one of six U.S. Class I railroads.

What is the reporting mark for the Soo Line Railroad?

The reporting mark for the Soo Line Railroad is SOO.

In which U.S. states does the Soo Line Railroad operate?

The Soo Line Railroad operates in North Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Illinois.

When did the Soo Line Railroad operate as an independent railroad, and what is its status now?

The Soo Line Railroad operated as an independent railroad from 1961 to 1990. Since the 2000s, it has been consolidated into CP (Canadian Pacific), though it continues to be recognized for reporting purposes by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board.

Which entities succeeded the Soo Line Railroad?

The Soo Line Railroad's successor entities include the Canadian National Railway and the Canadian Pacific Railway.

What is the standard track gauge used by the Soo Line Railroad?

The Soo Line Railroad uses a standard track gauge of 4 feet 8 1⁄2 inches (1,435 mm).

How did the Soo Line Railroad get its name?

The railroad is named after the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad, which was commonly known as the Soo Line, derived from the phonetic spelling of Sault Ste. Marie.

What major railroad companies were consolidated to form the Soo Line Railroad in 1961?

In 1961, the Soo Line Railroad was formed by the consolidation of the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad with two other Canadian Pacific subsidiaries: the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railway and the Wisconsin Central Railway.

What other Class I railroads did the Soo Line Railroad acquire or become the successor to?

The Soo Line Railroad is also the successor to the Minneapolis, Northfield and Southern Railway, which it acquired in 1982, and the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (Milwaukee Road), acquired at bankruptcy in 1985.

What significant portion of its mileage did the Soo Line Railroad spin off in 1987, and to whom?

In 1987, a substantial amount of mileage, approximately 2,000 miles (3,200 km), was spun off to Wisconsin Central Ltd., which is now part of the Canadian National Railway.

How does the U.S. Surface Transportation Board categorize the Soo Line Railroad's operations for reporting purposes?

For reporting purposes, the U.S. Surface Transportation Board groups all of the company's U.S. subsidiaries under the Soo Line name.

Where are the Soo Line Railroad's headquarters located, and in which buildings have they been situated?

The Soo Line Railroad's headquarters are in Minneapolis, Minnesota, located in the Canadian Pacific Plaza building, having previously been in the nearby Soo Line Building.

Describe the main line of the Soo Line Railroad.

The Soo Line Railroad's main line begins at Portal, North Dakota, on the Canada-U.S. border, and extends southeast along former Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie trackage to the Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul).

How does the Soo Line Railroad connect Chicago to Canada?

Between Chicago and Detroit, the Soo Line Railroad utilizes trackage rights over the Norfolk Southern Railway and haulage rights over CSX Transportation to connect to Canada via the CPKC-owned Detroit River Tunnel.

What major branch line did the Soo Line Railroad operate from Chicago, and what happened to it?

The Soo Line operated a line from Chicago to Louisville, Kentucky, which was sold to the Indiana Rail Road in 1983.

How does the Soo Line Railroad serve Duluth, Minnesota?

The Soo Line Railroad serves Duluth, Minnesota, from the Twin Cities by utilizing trackage rights over the BNSF Railway.

What was the total mileage operated by the Soo Line Railroad at the end of 1970?

At the end of 1970, the Soo Line Railroad operated 4,693 miles of road on 6,104 miles of track.

What was the revenue freight activity of the Soo Line Railroad in 1970?

In 1970, the Soo Line Railroad reported 8,249 million ton-miles of revenue freight and carried no passengers.

When was the current Soo Line Railroad incorporated, and under what initial name?

The current Soo Line Railroad was incorporated in Minnesota on October 19, 1949, initially as the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railroad, as part of a reorganization plan for the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railway.

What was the purpose of creating the Soo Line Corporation in 1984?

In 1984, CP incorporated the Soo Line Corporation in Minnesota as a holding company, which subsequently gained total control over the railroad through a stock exchange.

What significant acquisition did the Soo Line Railroad make in 1985?

On February 19, 1985, the Soo Line Railroad purchased the property of the bankrupt Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, commonly known as the Milwaukee Road, and assigned it to a newly created subsidiary, The Milwaukee Road, Inc.

What was the Lake States Transportation Division (LSTD), and what happened to it?

The Lake States Transportation Division (LSTD) was created by the Soo Line on February 10, 1986, to operate less important lines. Unable to implement proposed labor rule changes, the Soo Line sold the approximately 2,000-mile LSTD to Wisconsin Central Ltd. in 1987.

What were the names of the Soo Line Railroad's named passenger trains?

The Soo Line Railroad operated several named passenger trains, including the Laker (Minneapolis to Ashland), the Soo-Dominion (Chicago to Vancouver), and the Winnipeger (Saint Paul to Winnipeg).

Which named passenger train connected Chicago to Vancouver?

The Soo-Dominion was the named passenger train that ran from Chicago, Illinois, to Vancouver, British Columbia, connecting with Canadian Pacific's The Dominion at Moose Jaw.

Which named passenger train connected Saint Paul, Minnesota, to Winnipeg, Manitoba?

The Winnipeger was the named passenger train that operated between Saint Paul, Minnesota, and Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Who was the first president of the Soo Line Railroad after its 1961 formation?

Leonard H. Murray served as the first president of the Soo Line Railroad from 1961 to 1978, having previously been President of the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railway.

Who served as president of the Soo Line Railroad during the period of the Milwaukee Road acquisition and subsequent mergers?

Dennis Miles Cavanaugh served as president from 1983 to 1986, during the acquisition of the Milwaukee Road and its subsequent merger, and again from 1987 to 1989. Robert C. Gilmore served from 1986 to 1987.

What is the type of the preserved Soo Line 700 locomotive, and where is it located?

The preserved Soo Line 700 is an EMD GP30 locomotive, and it is located at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth, Minnesota, where it has been restored for use on their North Shore Scenic Railroad.

Where is the preserved Soo Line 2500 located, and what type of locomotive is it?

The preserved Soo Line 2500, an EMD FP7A locomotive, is located at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth, Minnesota, and has also been restored for use on their North Shore Scenic Railroad.

What is notable about the preserved Soo Line 715 locomotive?

The preserved Soo Line 715, an EMD GP30, is located at the National Railroad Museum in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin, but it notably wears a Wisconsin Central Ltd. paint scheme.

What is the Soo Line Trail in Minnesota, and how is it used?

The Soo Line Trail in Minnesota was created from former sections of the railroad and has been extended into the Lake Wobegon Trail. It is enjoyed by walkers, runners, and bikers due to its flat terrain.

How have former Soo Line Railroad lines in Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula been repurposed?

Former Soo Line Railroad lines in Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula, along with those of the Copper Range Railroad, have been converted into ATV trails, with some, like the Jack Stevens Hancock-Calumet Trail, serving as multi-purpose trails for hikers and bikers.

Which rail trail was created on a section of the Soo Line's Shawano Subdivision in Wisconsin?

The Wolf River State Trail was created on a section of the Soo Line's Shawano Subdivision in Wisconsin, specifically from White Lake to Crandon, and is open to various recreational users like ATVs, snowmobiles, hikers, and horseback riders.

What does the image caption 'Map of the Soo Line Railroad' describe regarding trackage?

The image caption describes a map of the Soo Line Railroad, indicating that red lines represent former SOO trackage operated by CPKC, dark blue lines are former Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (MILW) trackage also operated by CPKC, and green lines are former SOO trackage spun off to Wisconsin Central Ltd. (now CN). Grey lines in North Dakota are operated by short lines, and dotted light blue lines indicate abandoned trackage.

What does the image caption 'SOO 6062, an EMD SD60M, leads a train through Wisconsin' convey?

This caption indicates that the Soo Line Railroad operated EMD SD60M locomotives, specifically showing unit SOO 6062 leading a train in Wisconsin.

What does the image caption 'Soo Line 6022, an EMD SD60, pulls a train through Wisconsin Dells on June 20, 2004' convey?

This caption indicates that the Soo Line Railroad operated EMD SD60 locomotives, specifically unit 6022, and shows it pulling a train in Wisconsin Dells in 2004.

What does the image caption 'A Soo Line boxcar in 2010' convey?

This caption indicates that the Soo Line Railroad utilized boxcars for freight transport, with an example shown in 2010.

What does the image caption 'Soo Line 2500 pulls a special train in Duluth on July 12, 2014' convey?

This caption indicates that the preserved Soo Line 2500 locomotive, an EMD FP7A, was used to pull a special train in Duluth in 2014, highlighting its continued operational status for special events.

What does the image caption 'SOO 4598, an EMD GP39-2, trails on a train through Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, on October 13, 2019' convey?

This caption indicates that the Soo Line Railroad operated EMD GP39-2 locomotives, specifically unit SOO 4598, and shows it trailing on a train in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, in 2019.

What is the significance of the 'Unreferenced section' notice regarding preserved locomotives?

The notice indicates that the section detailing preserved Soo Line locomotives lacks citations to reliable sources, suggesting that the information may need verification or further sourcing according to Wikipedia's standards.

What is the purpose of the 'See also' section in the article?

The 'See also' section provides links to related topics, such as Soo Line locomotives and Soo Line Depot (disambiguation), to allow readers to explore further information connected to the Soo Line Railroad.

What is the purpose of the 'Bibliography' section?

The 'Bibliography' section lists books and publications that served as sources for the article, providing readers with references for further research on the Soo Line Railroad.

What is the purpose of the 'External links' section?

The 'External links' section provides a direct link to the Soo Line Historical and Technical Society's website, offering readers an additional resource for information about the railroad.

What does the navbox 'Class I railroads of North America' indicate about the Soo Line's relationship with CPKC?

The navbox lists the Soo Line (SOO) under CPKC in the United States section, signifying its role as a key U.S. subsidiary of the Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Railway.

What does the navbox 'Railroads in the Twin Cities' indicate about the Soo Line's historical passenger service?

The navbox indicates that the Soo Line Railroad historically operated the Winnipeger passenger train, which served both the Milwaukee Road Depot and Saint Paul Union Depot in the Twin Cities.

What is the purpose of the 'Authority control' section?

The 'Authority control' section provides links to various databases, such as VIAF, GND, and LoC, that catalog information about the Soo Line Railroad, helping to standardize and organize data about the entity.

What was the Soo Line Railroad's role in the reorganization of the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railway?

The Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railway was reorganized in 1949, and the resulting company, the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railroad, was later used by CP to merge other subsidiaries and form the Soo Line Railroad in 1961.

What was the significance of the Soo Line's acquisition of the Minneapolis, Northfield and Southern Railway (MNS)?

The Soo Line gained control of the MNS, a shortline railroad in the Twin Cities area, in June 1982, integrating it into its operations.

What was the purchase price for the Lake States Transportation Division (LSTD) in 1987?

The Soo Line sold the Lake States Transportation Division (LSTD) to Wisconsin Central Ltd. in 1987 for $133 million.

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System Overview

Identity and Affiliation

The Soo Line Railroad, identified by the reporting mark SOO, functions as a principal United States subsidiary of CPKC Railway. It is one of the six Class I railroads operating within the U.S., managed through the Soo Line Corporation.

Operational Footprint

Historically, its operations spanned across key Midwestern states, including North Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Illinois. Its headquarters were located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Operational Dates

The Soo Line Railroad, in its current corporate structure, operated independently from 1961 to 1990. However, its lineage and operations under CPKC ownership continue to the present day.

Historical Trajectory

Formation and Consolidation

The present Soo Line Railroad was established in 1961 through the consolidation of three existing Canadian Pacific subsidiaries: the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad (the original "Soo Line"), the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railway, and the Wisconsin Central Railway. This consolidation aimed to streamline operations and create a more unified entity.

Strategic Acquisitions

The Soo Line's network expanded significantly through strategic acquisitions. In 1982, it gained control of the Minneapolis, Northfield and Southern Railway (MNS). More notably, following the bankruptcy of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (Milwaukee Road), the Soo Line acquired its assets in 1985, integrating a substantial portion of its network.

Divestitures and Restructuring

In an effort to optimize its network and reduce costs, the Soo Line created the Lake States Transportation Division (LSTD) in 1986. This division, comprising approximately 2,000 miles of less critical lines, was subsequently sold in 1987 to the newly formed Wisconsin Central Ltd., which later became part of the Canadian National Railway.

Integration into CPKC

By 1990, Canadian Pacific gained full control of the Soo Line Corporation. Over the subsequent decades, the Soo Line's operations and branding were increasingly integrated into the broader Canadian Pacific (now CPKC) network. While reporting structures may still reference the Soo Line name, the operational identity is now firmly within the CPKC umbrella.

Named Passenger Services

Notable Services

The Soo Line Railroad operated several prominent named passenger trains, connecting major cities and regions across its network. These services were integral to passenger travel in the upper Midwest and beyond.

Laker: Connecting Minneapolis, Duluth, and Ashland.
Soo-Dominion: A transcontinental service linking Chicago with Vancouver, British Columbia.
Winnipeger: Facilitating travel between Saint Paul, Minnesota, and Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Copper Country Limited: A joint service with the Milwaukee Road, serving Chicago, Champion, and Calumet, Michigan.

Leadership Succession

Presidents of the Soo Line

The leadership of the Soo Line Railroad evolved through several key figures during its operational history. The following individuals served as President:

Leonard H. Murray (1961–1978)
Thomas M. Beckley (1978–1983)
Dennis Miles Cavanaugh (1983–1986, 1987–1989)
Robert C. Gilmore (1986–1987)
Edwin V. Dodge (1989–1996)

Preserved Rolling Stock

Notable Locomotives and Cars

Several pieces of Soo Line equipment have been preserved, serving as historical artifacts and, in some cases, active participants in heritage rail operations.

Soo Line 500: An EMD FP7A, displayed in Ladysmith, Wisconsin.
Soo Line 700: An EMD GP30, located at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth, Minnesota, restored for the North Shore Scenic Railroad.
Soo Line 703: An EMD GP30, and a Barney and Smith heavyweight passenger car, at the Colfax Railroad Museum in Colfax, Wisconsin.
Soo Line 715: An EMD GP30, at the National Railroad Museum in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin (currently wears a Wisconsin Central Ltd. paint scheme).
Soo Line 2500: An EMD FP7A, also at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum, restored for the North Shore Scenic Railroad.
Numerous steel cabooses have also been preserved.

Legacy Rail Trails

Recreational Pathways

Sections of the former Soo Line Railroad have been repurposed into popular recreational trails, offering scenic routes for outdoor activities.

Soo Line Trail (Minnesota): Extends into the Lake Wobegon Trail, providing a flat, accessible route for walkers, runners, and cyclists.
Keweenaw Peninsula Trails (Michigan): Former Soo Line and Copper Range Railroad lines in the Keweenaw Peninsula have been converted into ATV and multi-use trails, such as the Jack Stevens Hancock-Calumet Trail, enjoyed by hikers and bikers year-round.
Wolf River State Trail (Wisconsin): A segment of the Soo Line's Shawano Subdivision, now a trail open to ATVs, snowmobiles, hikers, and horseback riders.

Related Information

Further Exploration

For deeper insights into the Soo Line Railroad's operations and equipment, consult the following related topics:

Soo Line locomotives
Soo Line Depot (disambiguation)

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References

Moody's Transportation Manual, 1992, pp. 221, 223

Modern Railroads, February 15, 1988, p. 37

A full list of references for this article are available at the Soo Line Railroad Wikipedia page

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Important Notice

This page has been generated by an AI and is intended for educational and informational purposes only. The content is derived from publicly available data and may not be exhaustive or entirely current.

This is not professional advice. The information provided is not a substitute for expert consultation regarding railroad history, operations, or heritage preservation. Always refer to official documentation and consult with qualified professionals for specific inquiries.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

Iron Rails: The Soo Line Chronicle

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

System Overview ⚙️

🛤️ Identity and Affiliation

📍 Operational Footprint

📅 Operational Dates

Historical Trajectory 📜

🏛️ Formation and Consolidation

🤝 Strategic Acquisitions

➡️ Divestitures and Restructuring

🔄 Integration into CPKC

Named Passenger Services 🚊

⭐ Notable Services

Leadership Succession 👤

👔 Presidents of the Soo Line

Preserved Rolling Stock ⚙️

🚂 Notable Locomotives and Cars

Legacy Rail Trails 🌳

🚶 Recreational Pathways

Related Information 🔗

💡 Further Exploration

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📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

System Overview

Identity and Affiliation

Operational Footprint

Operational Dates

Historical Trajectory

Formation and Consolidation

Strategic Acquisitions

Divestitures and Restructuring

Integration into CPKC

Named Passenger Services

Notable Services

Leadership Succession

Presidents of the Soo Line

Preserved Rolling Stock

Notable Locomotives and Cars

Legacy Rail Trails

Recreational Pathways

Related Information

Further Exploration

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice