I’m starting to plan a layout set in the area around Minneapolis. I would like to model the CB&Q among others and was wondering how much they operated in Minnesota/Wisconsin. From the Burlington Route Historical Society map I can see that the CB&Q had a mainline running from Chicago to Minneapolis via LaCross Wisconsin. Did they operate any branch lines off this route or have trackage rights on other railroads or did the CB&Q simply shuttle track between Minneapolis and Chicago? Any information would be much appreciated. Thanks.
The CB&Q Chicago-St. Paul line was almost all, pure mainline railroad. The segment between Hastings and St. Paul was jointly operated with Milwaukee Road–but this was a mainline operation, too.
The only "branch lines"I can think of on this route within Wisconsin and Minnesota were an industrial line from the yard on the east side of La Crosse into downtown, and a trackage rights or joint line arrangement with Green Bay & Western between Winona Jct. (Wis.) and Winona