Trucks 6 Railroads 0
The Fox Valley has had an impressive concentration of industry (mainly papermaking) and a maze of tracks to serve those industries for about 150 years. Over that time the fortunes of the C&NW, MILW and SOO would rise and fall several times. With those changing fortunes the paper traffic would be at times neglected, taken for granted or abused by the railroads. Wisconsin Central made a concerted effort to serve the area well and had much success. Canadian National may not have that same focus as WC did and the industry has faced larger struggles of its own.
I've seldom seen more of a stark visual example of a business giving up on rail and in favor of trucking. The rails still cross the street here on North Lake St but they don't go anywhere or connect to anything. Where there once was a bank of boxcar loading docks there is a new set of six tractor trailer bays. I don't know the whole story, and it seems this may not be a paper company anymore but perhaps a warehouser or distribution center. Regardless, it's yet another source of rail traffic gone forever. July 20, 2024.
Trucks 6 Railroads 0
The Fox Valley has had an impressive concentration of industry (mainly papermaking) and a maze of tracks to serve those industries for about 150 years. Over that time the fortunes of the C&NW, MILW and SOO would rise and fall several times. With those changing fortunes the paper traffic would be at times neglected, taken for granted or abused by the railroads. Wisconsin Central made a concerted effort to serve the area well and had much success. Canadian National may not have that same focus as WC did and the industry has faced larger struggles of its own.
I've seldom seen more of a stark visual example of a business giving up on rail and in favor of trucking. The rails still cross the street here on North Lake St but they don't go anywhere or connect to anything. Where there once was a bank of boxcar loading docks there is a new set of six tractor trailer bays. I don't know the whole story, and it seems this may not be a paper company anymore but perhaps a warehouser or distribution center. Regardless, it's yet another source of rail traffic gone forever. July 20, 2024.