Southwestern Wisconsin Mystery line

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

The C&NW in Southwestern Wisconsin traveled north & south between Platteville & Galena, IL. Near the little village of Strawbridge a line branched east and immediately went into a tunnel then continued on to New Diggings WI. (May have went further) this line was built around 1916-17. It does not appear on any C&NW system maps.

Can anyone tell me who owned this line, how far it went and when it was abandoned?

It looks like it way have been narrow gauge.

Thank you for any info

Later Bill

Photo of the Strawbridge tunnel

http://www.pbase.com/trailryder/image/64475716

2

The CNW line to Galena ran from Montfort Jct. south to Galena via Cuba City- the line to Platteville was a short branch that broke off at a little junction called Ipswich (about 2 miles east of Platteville). The tunnel you have linked was on the Galena line, south of Cuba City the branch turned southeasterly through Benton and New Diggings, winding and twisting its way down to the state line and eventually Galena. The line was cut back to Cuba City fairly early, as of 1909 the line was still shown on CNW maps, and I know it was gone by World War II. I will try and verify the exact date tonight when I get home.

The only other line ever built in this area I can think of was the MILW branch to Schullsburg- but nothing beyond that.

3

You have got to be kidding me.

Ken Strawbridge

4

If they were going to use your name, you’d think they’d build a much more impressive tunnel.[:D][:D]

5

This link will take you to topomap of the area. You can look up Cuba City, WI, and arrow down to Strawbridge. http://www.topozone.com/

This link can take you to a CGW map from 1897 (map no. 14, Wisconsin) which shows the C&NW line from Cuba City to Galena. Click on Geographic location, then III. Map of the regions, then click picture of SW Wisconsin, then navigate from there. http://rs6.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml/rrhtml/rrhome.html

Maybe someone has an official guide or other more detailed info.

6

Thanks for the help guys (I use that word universally) but I was looking for more info, so yesterday I took the day off work and went to Wisconsin to find the answers.

In 1916 the C&NW built a spur from the main line in Strawbridge to the Champion Mine & the Skinner Roaster. This spur was about 2 miles long and required the 650’ Strawbridge tunnel to be dug. The C&NW had surveys to continue the spur another mile New Diggings, but the railroad terminated at the roaster and never reached town. The C&NW abandoned the line between Benton & Galena in the late 1930s but the line was seriously considered for reopening in the late 1940’s when a rich ore body was discovered in northern Illinois.

Later Bill