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<p>In 1881, the Northern Pacific Railroad (NP) began construction on a line extending from Central Avenue (Grassy Point) at Duluth, Minnesota to Ashland, Wisconsin. By the end of 1881, much of the line through Duluth and Superior, Wisconsin had been constructed, followed by the line between the Nemadji River and Brule, Wisconsin in 1882. Through 1883, 1884 and 1885, the line was constructed between Brule and Ashland, with terminals in Ashland completed in 1885. The Superior to Ashland portion of this line served as a branch, allowing the NP to operate ore docks at both Duluth and Superior. In addition, the line supported other industry, such as logging. The NP was sold at foreclosure in 1893, and reorganized as the Northern Pacific Railway (NP) in 1896. The NP operated this line east of Allouez as a branch line, mainly serving as a connection to Ashland. In 1970, NP would merge with rival Great Northern Railway and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy to form Burlington Northern Railroad (BN). In 1985, BN would abandon the Allouez to Ashland segment of this line, and the right-of-way was acquired for trail use. In 1996, BN merged with the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway to form BNSF Railway. BNSF currently operates the Duluth to Allouez segment of this line, including a bridge over the St. Louis River. BNSF continues to serve industries along Lake Superior in Superior. The Tri-County Trail utilizes the former railroad between Allouez and Ashland.</p>
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