The line was built at mainline standards to carry passanger traffic and freight from Janesville to Chicago.
The CM&StP became the Chicago, Milwaukee Saint Paul & Pacific Railway in 1912 when a looming Pacific Expansion added the name "Pacific" to the title.
The Milwaukee Road would never overcome the debts incurred during the construction of the Pacific Expansion, and would suffer until 1985, when it finally fell apart.
This line never saw those days under the Milwaukee Road. In 1980, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation teamed up with numerous parties to continue rail service on many dangered branch lines.
This line was purchased by WisDOT in 1980, and the first train of the Wisconsin & Calumet ran over this line in 1989.
Wisconsin & Calumet was first purchased by the Wisconsin & Southern in 1992, and formally merged into the system in 1997.
Today, WSOR continues to operate this line as their Fox Lake Subdivision, which serves as their only access point to Chicago, via trackage rights.
10/25/22
Crossing the Rock River below a large deck truss bridge, this structure is set on a sweeping curve.
Built in 1900, the bridge was built with seven deck girder spans. These spans were set onto skewed stone piers, and concrete abutments.
At some point in approximately 1980, the southern two spans were replaced with newer deck girder spans.
Overall, the bridge appears to remain in good condition.
Historic photo of the bridge
The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview.
View an article about the construction of this bridge.
| Upstream | Janesville Rail Bridge |
| Downstream | DM&E Rock River Bridge |