Train no. 1 was the Green Bay Route's premiere westbound fast-freight train,
operating daily from Green Bay to Wisconsin Rapids, Merrillan and Winona, Minnesota.
Train No. 1 would begin its journey around 4:00 pm, although the
exact departing time would often vary to accommodate the
Lake Michigan car ferry arrivals in Kewaunee.
The first challenge encountered by trains out of Green Bay was Oneida
Hill, a steep grade west of the crossing of Duck Creek. This photo
was taken at milepost 5.8, just where the tracks come up to County
Highway J. This is just before the beginning of the track up
Oneida Hill. Long trains would usually put on a good show at this
point as they tried to get up to track speed before attacking the hill.
Here is Alco C- 430 #315, RS-27 #316, and an unidentified C-424
leading the train. This is how I remember the Green Bay Route
in the 1970s! Multiple lash-ups of red GB&W locos, accented by
the black and white checkerboard pattern on the frame and yellow
handrails.
This image is from an undated postcard.
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