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<p>In 1914, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway (Milwaukee Road) completed an 18 mile line between Merrill, Wisconsin and New Wood, Wisconsin to serve a logging industry. The line was one of a number of similar branches in north central Wisconsin. By the early 20th Century, the Milwaukee Road was among the largest railroads in the United States, operating a network of railroad lines over 10,000 miles in length. 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. As the logging industry died out, the line would be abandoned. The western three miles were abandoned in November 1926, and the remainder was abandoned in April 1943. A short spur remained intact in Merrill. The Milwaukee Road again entered bankruptcy in 1977 and was forced to liquidate unprofitable lines. By 1985, a suitor for the Milwaukee Road was being sought, and the Soo Line Railroad, controlled by Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) purchased the Milwaukee Road in 1986. In 1987, the line was sold to the Wisconsin Central, Ltd. (WC). In approximately 1990, the remainder of the line would be abandoned. Today, a short portion in Merrill has been reused as part of the city trail system, while the remainder has been abandoned. <br><br></p>
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