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12/23/2024
 
 
 
 
 
By:Andre Wehrle
Dates:10/9/2015 - 10/9/2019
Album Info:Once C&NW's line north from Eau Claire to the Twin Ports, this line is now abandoned north of Rice Lake (except for a small section which exists as part of the Wisconsin Great Northern tourist railroad). Progressive Rail's Wisconsin Northern Railroad operates the majority of it, interchanging with the UP at Norma on the north side of Chippewa Falls.
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CITX 3064 switching the sand loader
Title:  CITX 3064 switching the sand loader
Description:  My first (and thus far only) photo in Wisconsin Northern territory. With a sand plant seemingly every few miles, the railroad's traffic would appear to have outgrown the pair of sharp-looking Progressive Rail GP15-1s they started with.
Photo Date:  10/9/2015  Upload Date: 10/13/2015 4:21:30 PM
Location:  New Auburn, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  378   Comments: 2
Night sand train sitting north of 207th Avenue
Title:  Night sand train sitting north of 207th Avenue
Description:  I could hear a crew switching on the WN frequency while in Bloomer, along with a normal FRED tone and the DPU tone. I couldn't find any sign of a train in town, and it was quickly getting dark. Heading north toward New Auburn on County SS I spotted sand cars off to my left, turned around and saw this from the nearest crossing. Waited around until the light was pretty much gone, but no sign of movement.
Photo Date:  10/4/2017  Upload Date: 10/7/2017 2:50:15 PM
Location:  Bloomer, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  190   Comments: 0
Night has fallen and the L2 job has parked
Title:  Night has fallen and the L2 job has parked
Description:  Finally, I found the train I had been hearing switching on the scanner for over an hour while around Bloomer. Same spot and same lead unit as when I was up here two years ago, and the same result. Just as I got set up to wait, hoping they would get rolling south toward Norma even in the darkness (although the main appeared to be blocked by the sand train sitting north of Bloomer), they shut the headlights off and left in a crew van.
Photo Date:  10/4/2017  Upload Date: 10/7/2017 2:51:06 PM
Location:  New Auburn, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CEFX 3182(SD40-2)
Views:  348   Comments: 0
WN 1501 idles on a gloomy fall morning
Title:  WN 1501 idles on a gloomy fall morning
Description:  This is the third time I've stayed in Chetek on my fall vacation, but the first time I've seen any power in town. The crew pulled up as I was taking this shot, they were friendly and told me they would soon be heading north to Cameron. I've heard conflicting reports about the correct reporting marks for the WN-painted units, so I've tagged both possibilities.
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/20/2018 10:30:59 PM
Location:  Chetek, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WN 1501(GP15-1) PGR 1501(GP15-1)
Views:  314   Comments: 1
Chetek it out!
Title:  Chetek it out!
Description: 
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/20/2018 10:41:13 PM
Location:  Chetek, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WN 1501(GP15-1) PGR 1501(GP15-1)
Views:  429   Comments: 4
WN 1501 idles - but not for long
Title:  WN 1501 idles - but not for long
Description: 
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/20/2018 10:59:20 PM
Location:  Chetek, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WN 1501(GP15-1) PGR 1501(GP15-1)
Views:  424   Comments: 2
A puff of smoke as WN 1501 begins to roll north light engine
Title:  A puff of smoke as WN 1501 begins to roll north light engine
Description: 
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/20/2018 11:01:08 PM
Location:  Chetek, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WN 1501(GP15-1) PGR 1501(GP15-1)
Views:  314   Comments: 1
WN 1501 trundles north light engine
Title:  WN 1501 trundles north light engine
Description: 
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/21/2018 6:44:11 PM
Location:  Chetek, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WN 1501(GP15-1) PGR 1501(GP15-1)
Views:  286   Comments: 1
WN 1501 approaching 9th Avenue north of town
Title:  WN 1501 approaching 9th Avenue north of town
Description: 
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/21/2018 6:45:31 PM
Location:  Chetek, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WN 1501(GP15-1) PGR 1501(GP15-1)
Views:  293   Comments: 1
Hurry up and wait
Title:  Hurry up and wait
Description:  The purpose of this light engine run to Cameron was to pull empties at pole manufacturer McFarland Cascade/Stella Jones, but they hadn't finished unloading all the cars yet.
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/21/2018 6:47:02 PM
Location:  Cameron, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WN 1501(GP15-1) PGR 1501(GP15-1)
Views:  422   Comments: 1
WN 1501 "City of Bloomer" waiting just south of McFarland Cascade
Title:  WN 1501 "City of Bloomer" waiting just south of McFarland Cascade
Description:  The WN began operations with two GP15-1s. Sister 1500 was named "City of Barron." Ironically the WN can no longer access Barron, as the line is cut under Highway 8 just north of this customer. CN decided they wanted that line back with the opening of the sand plant at Poskin.
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/21/2018 6:50:59 PM
Location:  Cameron, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  WN 1501(GP15-1) PGR 1501(GP15-1)
Views:  433   Comments: 1
PGR 42 on the north end of a set of four EMDs idling outside Northern Industrial Sands
Title:  PGR 42 on the north end of a set of four EMDs idling outside Northern Industrial Sands
Description:  Others' photos show the Gyralites on both short and long hoods were fully intact as recently as 2012. They were painted over sometime between then and 2015 when the unit was brought to the WN.
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/21/2018 6:52:58 PM
Location:  Chetek, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  PGR 42(SD38-2)
Views:  231   Comments: 1
Before long, a crew will board this power set and go to work switching NIS
Title:  Before long, a crew will board this power set and go to work switching NIS
Description: 
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/21/2018 6:56:29 PM
Location:  Chetek, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  PGR 42(SD38-2)
Views:  276   Comments: 1
CEFX 1553 and 1565 are the switchers for Piranha Proppant
Title:  CEFX 1553 and 1565 are the switchers for Piranha Proppant
Description: 
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/21/2018 6:57:54 PM
Location:  Chetek, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CEFX 1553(SW1500) CEFX 1565(SW1500)
Views:  356   Comments: 0
CEFX 1553 and 1565, switchers for one of the many sand plants on the Wisconsin Northern
Title:  CEFX 1553 and 1565, switchers for one of the many sand plants on the Wisconsin Northern
Description: 
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/21/2018 7:51:00 PM
Location:  Chetek, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CEFX 1553(SW1500) CEFX 1565(SW1500)
Views:  326   Comments: 1
Closeup on CEFX 1553
Title:  Closeup on CEFX 1553
Description: 
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/21/2018 7:54:01 PM
Location:  Chetek, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CEFX 1553(SW1500)
Views:  330   Comments: 1
PGR 40 parked
Title:  PGR 40 parked
Description:  The WN was a classic EMD fan's paradise as it seemed there was at least one cool unit in every town along the line. However this one was shut down. Dig the intact class lights! This unit has an interesting story as it currently carries the same number as when it was built for Minneapolis, Northfield & Southern. Surviving SD39s are not too common either, as only 54 units were built. I didn't notice it until looking closely at the picture, but there are signs mounted to the handrails along the long hood on each side. Per other photos, they read "Proud Shortline Partner of Canadian Pacific Railway."
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/21/2018 7:56:37 PM
Location:  Bloomer, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  PGR 40(SD39)
Views:  263   Comments: 1
PGR 40 wired up
Title:  PGR 40 wired up
Description:  There appears to be some sort of cable connected to the engine at left.
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/21/2018 7:59:06 PM
Location:  Bloomer, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  PGR 40(SD39)
Views:  219   Comments: 1
After pulling sand cars at NIS, the set of four blue EMDs heads south
Title:  After pulling sand cars at NIS, the set of four blue EMDs heads south
Description:  One of two PGR ex-CITX former SD45s on the WN. Another is on Watco's Wisconsin and Southern as WAMX 4223. The CEFX 3117 third out was also once an SD45, but has had its 20-cylinder 645 replaced with the 16-cylinder version.
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/21/2018 8:00:28 PM
Location:  Chetek, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  PGR 41(SD40M-2)
Views:  320   Comments: 1
The SB WN sand train now has a pickup at Piranha Proppant
Title:  The SB WN sand train now has a pickup at Piranha Proppant
Description:  The SW1500s have shoved clear to allow the road power to access the loop track. This is the second-northernmost of four sand plants located from just south of Chetek to New Auburn.
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/21/2018 8:12:40 PM
Location:  Chetek, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  PGR 42(SD38-2) CEFX 3117(SD40M-2) CEFX 3182(SD40-2) PGR 41(SD40M-2)
Views:  431   Comments: 0
Pulling their Piranha Proppant pickup south onto the main
Title:  Pulling their Piranha Proppant pickup south onto the main
Description:  Alliteration, anyone? They have to pull the tail end clear of the crossover switch, then shove back to combine these with the cars they pulled from NIS.
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/21/2018 9:27:39 PM
Location:  Chetek, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  PGR 41(SD40M-2)
Views:  357   Comments: 1
PGR 41 leads the hefty SB sand train
Title:  PGR 41 leads the hefty SB sand train
Description: 
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/21/2018 9:30:35 PM
Location:  Chetek, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  PGR 41(SD40M-2)
Views:  325   Comments: 2
PGR 41 shoves its Piranha Proppant pickup onto the rest of the train
Title:  PGR 41 shoves its Piranha Proppant pickup onto the rest of the train
Description:  On a gravel driveway to yet another sand plant just south of Piranha (I think it's called Chieftain Sand and Proppant, the Google Maps labels vs. the signs I actually saw are confusing), which is also blocked by parked sand hoppers. There are reports of impending doom for the recently booming northwest Wisconsin frac sand industry, but the WN seems to be doing fine for now.
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/26/2018 2:05:53 PM
Location:  New Auburn, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  PGR 41(SD40M-2)
Views:  245   Comments: 1
CITX 3069 under the loader for Superior Silica Sands
Title:  CITX 3069 under the loader for Superior Silica Sands
Description:  My first two (and until this trip, only) photos on the WN were of a similar green and silver unit, 3064, at this location. Behind it is yet another former SD45 rebuilt to SD40-2 specifications, this one still in UP yellow. Others' photos identify it as CITX 2811.
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/26/2018 2:07:37 PM
Location:  New Auburn, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CITX 3069(SD40-2)
Views:  126   Comments: 1
Four blue EMDs pass a green one and a yellow one
Title:  Four blue EMDs pass a green one and a yellow one
Description:  This photo encapsulates exactly why a visit to the WN was on my bucket list. Have I mentioned it was absolute nirvana for a fan of classic, colorful standard cab EMD power like myself? After making pickups at the northernmost two of the four closely spaced sand plants, this train bypassed the southern two including Superior Silica here at New Auburn.
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/26/2018 2:08:56 PM
Location:  New Auburn, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  PGR 41(SD40M-2) CITX 3069(SD40-2)
Views:  319   Comments: 1
PGR 41 (and three more) southbound
Title:  PGR 41 (and three more) southbound
Description: 
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/26/2018 2:11:28 PM
Location:  New Auburn, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  PGR 41(SD40M-2)
Views:  276   Comments: 2
PGR 41 and its three assistants growl and snort through town
Title:  PGR 41 and its three assistants growl and snort through town
Description:  Two of the four units on this train are former SD45s rebuilt to SD40-2 specifications. CEFX 3182 second out is a straight SD40-2, and PGR 42 4th out is an SD38-2.
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/26/2018 2:14:21 PM
Location:  New Auburn, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  PGR 41(SD40M-2)
Views:  255   Comments: 1
AEX 21455 -  "Cemento Campana" (Bell Cement)
Title:  AEX 21455 - "Cemento Campana" (Bell Cement)
Description:  "Cemento para tu mundo" (Cement for Your World). I've never seen Spanish lettering on a freight car before. The car is carrying sand now, anyway.
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/26/2018 2:18:30 PM
Location:  New Auburn, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  152   Comments: 0
Over the hills and far away
Title:  Over the hills and far away
Description:  With a row of trees between the tracks and the parallel County Highway SS, there are few vantage points on this part of the WN other than at the grade crossings.
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/26/2018 2:22:29 PM
Location:  Bloomer, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  PGR 41(SD40M-2)
Views:  219   Comments: 2
PGR 41 crosses Duncan Creek north of town
Title:  PGR 41 crosses Duncan Creek north of town
Description:  I had photographed at this crossing a year ago, but in near-darkness. There was a horse paddock nearby, and I was hoping I could frame them up with the train on the bridge, but they ran to the other side.
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/26/2018 2:24:32 PM
Location:  Bloomer, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  PGR 41(SD40M-2)
Views:  249   Comments: 1
Cloud-boinked
Title:  Cloud-boinked
Description:  The leaden sky of the morning was brightening as the clouds gradually broke up and scattered. I had about ten minutes of solid bright sunshine as I waited here, but of course seconds before the train arrived, a thick hunk of cumulus cloud blew in front of the sun. Seconds after the lead unit passed, it moved on and bathed the scene in bright light once again as if to taunt me.
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/26/2018 2:26:14 PM
Location:  Bloomer, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  PGR 41(SD40M-2)
Views:  247   Comments: 1
Now yer talkin'!
Title:  Now yer talkin'!
Description:  Now the sun was out to stay, illuminating the handsome dark blue locomotive as the train ambled on out of Bloomer.
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/26/2018 2:28:52 PM
Location:  Bloomer, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  PGR 41(SD40M-2)
Views:  325   Comments: 1
PGR 41 leading a sand train to Norma, crossing 157th Avenue south of town
Title:  PGR 41 leading a sand train to Norma, crossing 157th Avenue south of town
Description:  My parting shot of this train. What could get me to break off a chase of a sharp-looking SD45 carbody in finally-good light? Earlier while at the bridge in downtown Bloomer, I'd heard UP 1989, the Rio Grande Heritage Unit, get a track warrant on the Chippewa Falls Sub (same line as the WN, from Norma south to Eau Claire)!
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/26/2018 2:31:58 PM
Location:  Bloomer, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  PGR 41(SD40M-2)
Views:  312   Comments: 1
GAMX 942 ex-Boston & Maine
Title:  GAMX 942 ex-Boston & Maine
Description:  Occasionally, rolling stock still lettered for a fallen flag, especially one that seems out of place in the upper Midwest, will catch my eye.
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/26/2018 2:34:46 PM
Location:  Bloomer, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  303   Comments: 0
UP 5344 on the north end of the LTS83 "dragset"
Title:  UP 5344 on the north end of the LTS83 "dragset"
Description:  Six big six-axle widecab units from both GE and EMD made up this consist. At the other end was what I was really after...
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/26/2018 2:41:12 PM
Location:  Chippewa Falls, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  UP 5344(AC45CCTE)
Views:  182   Comments: 0
Back-lit, long hood shot of UP 1989
Title:  Back-lit, long hood shot of UP 1989
Description: 
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/26/2018 2:43:11 PM
Location:  Chippewa Falls, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  UP 1989(SD70ACe)
Views:  206   Comments: 1
UP 1989 on the south end of the LTS83 power set reversing to pick up its train
Title:  UP 1989 on the south end of the LTS83 power set reversing to pick up its train
Description:  The consist alternated EMD-GE-EMD-GE-EMD-GE.
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/26/2018 2:44:37 PM
Location:  Chippewa Falls, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  188   Comments: 1
UP 1989 poses by County S as they air-test the train
Title:  UP 1989 poses by County S as they air-test the train
Description:  After seeing none of the UP Heritage Units in action until 1995 in June, I've now seen two this year!
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/26/2018 2:47:40 PM
Location:  Chippewa Falls, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  UP 1989(SD70ACe)
Views:  264   Comments: 1
UP 1989 starts across County S as the LTS83 eases into motion
Title:  UP 1989 starts across County S as the LTS83 eases into motion
Description: 
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/26/2018 2:49:35 PM
Location:  Chippewa Falls, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  UP 1989(SD70ACe)
Views:  237   Comments: 1
Shadowy Heritage
Title:  Shadowy Heritage
Description:  Due to having to wait for MPRSS to go west from Altoona (I missed that by getting impatient waiting around for it and trying to relocate just as it left the yard, resulting in the head end beating me to the crossing I was trying to move to), by the time LTS83X came through the wye at Yukon the tracks were engulfed in shadow. However, the golden light still kisses the treetops displaying their fall colors on the hills in the distance.
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/26/2018 2:50:52 PM
Location:  Eau Claire, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives:  UP 1989(SD70ACe)
Views:  197   Comments: 1
Pole loads toward the rear of LTS83X
Title:  Pole loads toward the rear of LTS83X
Description:  The vast majority of the train was sand hoppers, with these cars and a lone boxcar on the tail end. These are presumably from McFarland Cascade (Stella Jones) on the north end of the WN, where I followed the WN 1501 at the start of my day.
Photo Date:  10/19/2018  Upload Date: 10/26/2018 2:51:56 PM
Location:  Eau Claire, WI
Author:  Andre Wehrle
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  130   Comments: 1


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