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<p>In 1881, the Mazomanie, Sauk City & Prairie du Sac Rail Road (MSC&PdC) constructed a 10 mile branch line, extending from the existing Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway (Milwaukee Road) line at Mazomanie, Wisconsin to Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin. The line was constructed mainly to serve industries in the Wisconsin River communities of Sauk City and Prairie du Sac. In 1886, the MSC&PdC would be acquired by the Milwaukee Road. During the late 19th Century, the Milwaukee Road began to construct and acquire numerous branch lines, intended to boost revenue and serve smaller industrial centers. This line served as a branch line for the Milwaukee Road, and was one of several similar branches constructed from the Milwaukee to Prairie du Chien line. </p><p>By the 20th Century, the Milwaukee Road had become a prominent railroad in the United States, operating an expansive network of railroad lines, primarily in the Midwest. The Milwaukee Road was often in financial trouble, especially after the costly Pacific Extension was completed in 1909. In 1925, the company declared bankruptcy, and reorganized as the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad in 1928. Throughout the 20th Century, conditions on the Milwaukee Road continued to deteriorate. Unlike other branch lines, this line saw some investment in the 20th Century. In 1942, the northern end of the line was extended to the Badger Army Ammunition Plant, located approximately three miles north of Prairie du Sac. The railroad served the ammunition plant through several major wars, before the plant was idled in 1977.</p><p>The Milwaukee Road again entered bankruptcy in 1977, and was forced to liquidate unprofitable lines. In 1980, the branch was sold to the State of Wisconsin, which leased it to the Wisconsin Western Railroad (WIWR) in 1982. The WIWR was short lived, and became part of the Wisconsin & Calumet Railroad (WICT) in 1985. In 1993, the WICT was acquired by the Wisconsin Southern Railroad (WSOR), and was formally merged in 1997. Due to a failing bridge at Sauk City, the bridge was partially removed in April 2002, and the remaining line was used for car storage only. After the remainder of the bridge experienced a similar failure in 2016, the bridge was fully removed, and a new trail planned. In 2025, a new pedestrian bridge was constructed at Sauk City, and the Great Sauk-Walking Iron Trail constructed between Prairie du Sac and near Mazomanie. The trail is anticipated to open in late 2027. A remaining stub near Mazomanie continues to allow WSOR to store unused cars.</p><p><br></p>
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