Which former Chicago and Northwestern lines are still Class I maintained major routes?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
If you look at the UP system map, I think it's pretty much everything north of a line from Chicago to Des Moines to Omaha.
The three major ones radiate out from St Paul. One to the east to Milwaukee and Chicago (ex 400 route). One to the south known as the Spine Line to Des Moines. And one to the west to Omaha. They also have trackage rights over the BNSF to the north to Superior, WI.
Attachments
Images (1)
Originally Posted by Mike W.:
Chicago and Northwestern
Mike, correct words for C&NW is Chicago & North Western. Thank you. 
From Chicago, three of the major routes radiating are former C&NW, now referred to as the UP West, Northwest and North Lines (for METRA purposes), and by their respective UP division and subdivision designations.
I work with a former employee of the CNW, he had some saying, like Cheap and Nothing Wasted or maybe the W was worn out.
Thanks for the info. Yeah I was reading about the Cowboy line. What happened with that? Looks to be very scenic.
So UP had weak access to Chicago before acquiring CNW? And the Rock Island lines.
What is the 'Cowboy Liner?'
Ralph
