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| By: | Richard Kundert | | Dates: | 6/27/1978 - 1/29/1980 | | Album Info: | The C&NW had a network of branchlines originating out Madison, Wisconsin extending to the southwest corner of the state. The "ridge runner" (a nickname derived from the curving, roller-coaster ridge the line follows) was built to serve expanding lead and zinc mining in the Galena, Cuba City, Platteville and Lancaster areas. When built in 1875, the line was narrow gauge from Galena to Platteville. Another narrow gauge branch ran from Fennimore to Woodman. In 1881, the narrow gauge was converted to standard gauge, except the Woodman branch. As the mines played out, the line became dependent on agricultural commodities, but as roads improved, trucks took away that business and the railroad began abandoning portions of the line: Galena-Hazel Green in 1939, Hazel Green-Strawbridge in 1940, Strawbridge-Benton 1942, Benton-Cuba City 1967. In 1980, all track west of Mt. Horeb (Fennimore, Lancaster, Platteville and Cuba City) was abandoned. Then Mt. Horeb-Verona in 1982, and finally Verona to South Madison in 1995. |
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| Title: |
CNW 1590 |
| Description: |
Eastbound out of Dodgeville. Grades on the "Ridge Runner" varied between .7% to 1.91% with many tight curves. |
| Photo Date: |
6/27/1978 Upload Date: 5/29/2016 10:18:42 AM |
| Location: |
Dodgeville, WI |
| Author: |
Richard Kundert |
| Categories: |
Action |
| Locomotives: |
CNW 1590(GP7) |
| Views: |
930 Comments: 2 |
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| Title: |
CNW 1590 |
| Description: |
Passing the empty Ridgeway depot |
| Photo Date: |
6/27/1978 Upload Date: 5/29/2016 10:20:56 AM |
| Location: |
Ridgeway, WI |
| Author: |
Richard Kundert |
| Categories: |
Station,Action |
| Locomotives: |
CNW 1590(GP7) |
| Views: |
500 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
CNW 1590 |
| Description: |
Bouncing down the weed choked line |
| Photo Date: |
6/27/1978 Upload Date: 5/29/2016 10:21:51 AM |
| Location: |
Blue Mounds, WI |
| Author: |
Richard Kundert |
| Categories: |
Action |
| Locomotives: |
CNW 1590(GP7) |
| Views: |
1676 Comments: 1 |
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| Title: |
CNW 4331 |
| Description: |
Passing the 1926-built Fairbanks-Morse concrete 100-ton coaling tower. At Montfort Jct., the Lancaster subdivision meets the Platteville Sub. |
| Photo Date: |
1/29/1980 Upload Date: 5/29/2016 10:26:41 AM |
| Location: |
Montfort, WI |
| Author: |
Richard Kundert |
| Categories: |
Action |
| Locomotives: |
CNW 4331(GP7R) |
| Views: |
905 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
CNW 4331 |
| Description: |
Switching the house track |
| Photo Date: |
1/29/1980 Upload Date: 5/29/2016 10:27:42 AM |
| Location: |
Livingston, WI |
| Author: |
Richard Kundert |
| Categories: |
Action |
| Locomotives: |
CNW 4331(GP7R) |
| Views: |
583 Comments: 0 |
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| Title: |
CNW 4331 |
| Description: |
Near Leslie |
| Photo Date: |
1/29/1980 Upload Date: 5/29/2016 10:28:26 AM |
| Location: |
Leslie, WI |
| Author: |
Richard Kundert |
| Categories: |
Winter,Action |
| Locomotives: |
CNW 4331(GP7R) |
| Views: |
655 Comments: 0 |
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