Wisconsin Northern Railroad
Monday, September 15, 2008 - Chippewa Falls to Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Arlyn says, "Since many list members have not had the opportunity to railfan the WN, I thought I would post some pictures of key places between Norma and Eau Claire. This is Union Pacific trackage and the UP delivers cars to the WN on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings." Webmaster says, "Click on the picture to see it full-size."
	Here is the Union Pacific bridge crossing the Chippewa River, just downhill from Norma. Here's pic 1... 7-Bridge1.jpg = http://tinyurl.com/5zt22p
	...here's pic 2... 7-Bridge2.jpg = http://tinyurl.com/6r67kf
	...and here's pic 3... 7-Bridge3.jpg = http://tinyurl.com/6e4s4p
	In July, 1993, vandals set fire to this bridge. The following fire pictures are from list member Bob Gile's collection. Here's pic 1... 7-BridgeFire1.jpg = http://tinyurl.com/6zkocy
	...here's pic 2... 7-BridgeFire2.jpg = http://tinyurl.com/6zkocy
	...and here's pic 3.. 7-BridgeFire3.jpg = http://tinyurl.com/5r3yev
I heard that to fix this bridge, they took components off the Lake Wissota bridge and used them here. The Lake Wissota bridge was on the line from Norma to Cornell (the Hannibal Line) and was abandoned. This is the bridge that is limited to 268,000 lb. cars and will not allow for the 286,000 lb. cars which includes potential sand cars.
	On the other (south) side of the Chippewa River, the UP crosses the Canadian National, formerly Soo Line and Wisconsin Central, mainline from the Twin Cities to Stevens Point. 7-Crossing1.jpg = http://tinyurl.com/5vqyoq
	I caught a way freight with an IC diesel headed east. There was an interchange track here until a few years ago when it was removed. 7-Crossing2.jpg = http://tinyurl.com/5cze3t
	The UP track continues south through Lake Hallie until it enters the UP mainline from the Twin Cities to Eau Claire, Altoona, Adams, and Chicago. The point is called Yukon Junction (Why???). It is a wye. The track to the left goes to Eau Claire and Altoona. To the right are the Twin Cities. CNW trains from the north could use the right track to head west. The mainline track is in the background. 7-YukonJct.jpg = http://tinyurl.com/6xl4pp
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