Sighting down the line toward Neenah at Medina Junction. Stevens Point is to the rear of the photographer. The Medina Junction Road grade crossing is visible with its signals and gates. The old octagonal crossing shanty is still standing in this 2013 scene. The shanty protected the crossing of the CNW (Milwaukee Lakeshore and Western) and the Soo Line (original Wisconsin Central). The CNW line was abandoned in the 1970's and was the site of a collision involving both railroads.

CN crosses the former SOO/C&NW junction as it heads northwest over former SOO tracks at Medina Junction, WI on 6 Oct. 13. The former C&NW tracks are now the Wiouwash State Trail.

CN crosses the former SOO/C&NW junction as it heads northwest over former SOO tracks at Medina Junction, WI on 6 Oct. 13. The former C&NW tracks are now the Wiouwash State Trail.

CN local approaches Medina Junction Rd. as it heads northwest along the former SOO tracks on a rainy afternoon at Medina Junction, WI on 15 Oct. 13.

CN through freight crosses Medina Junction Rd. as it heads southeast along the former SOO tracks on a rainy afternoon at Medina Junction, WI on 15 Oct. 13.

CN through freight crosses the former SOO/C&NW junction as it heads southeast along the former SOO tracks on a rainy afternoon at Medina Junction, WI on 15 Oct. 13. The former C&NW tracks are now the Wiouwash State Trail. The SOO octagonal concrete crossing shanty is partially visible on the left. After guarding this junction for half of forever, it was demolished between 15 and 20 May '14.

CN through freight crosses the former SOO/C&NW junction as it heads northwest over former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 4 Dec. '13. The former C&NW rails are now the Wiouwash State Trail.

CN through freight crosses the former SOO/C&NW junction as it heads northwest over former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 4 Dec. '13. The former C&NW rails are now the Wiouwash State Trail.

CN through freight traverses a marsh in the Rat River Wildlife Area as it heads southeast via former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 26 Apr. '14. Train had 4 locomotives, CN 2292 and CN 2407 up front as well as 2 locomotives mid-train.

CN through freight approaches Medina Junction Rd. as it heads northwest via former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 4 May '14. Train had four locomotives, including CN 5657, CN 5542 and NS 8342. The fourth locomotive was a former HLCX unit which has been temporarily hand lettered NS. I didn’t get a good look at, or photograph of, the temporary hand painted road number, but I think it may have been 3558, 3258, or 3358.

CN through freight approaches Pioneer Rd. has it heads northwest via former SOO rails just southeast of Medina Junction on 14 May '14.

CN through freight crosses the Rat River via former SOO bridge, as seen from the former C&NW bridge on the Wiouwash State Trail, as it heads northwest at Medina Junction, WI on 14 May '14. Train had nine locomotives, CN 2845, CN 2839, CN 2262, CN 8865, IC 2462, CN 2644, CN 8925, NS 6691 (partially visible on left), and NS 8761 (out of frame to left). The bridge is difficult to see from this angle, but it is under the 4th and 5th locomotives.

CN through freight speeds northwest via former SOO rails as it approaches the junction with the Wiouwash State Trail, the former C&NW ROW, at Medina Junction, WI on 20 May '14.

CN through freight speeds northwest via former SOO rails as it clears the junction with the Wiouwash State Trail, former C&NW ROW, at Medina Junction, WI on 20 May '14. MoW crew has reconstructed the grade crossing within the past 6 days. Unfortunately they also demolished the SOO octagonal concrete crossing shanty that stood to the west (left) of this junction for half of forever. You can see a photo of it here: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3850195.

CN through freight approaches the junction with the Wiouwash State Trail, former C&NW ROW, as it races northwest via former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 25 Jun. '14. Train had five locomotives, CN 2835, CN 5661, CN 2040, CN 2197, and CN 5450.

CN container train approaches Medina Junction Rd. as it flies northwest through the Rat River Wildlife Area via former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 12 Aug. '14.

A train headed for the Waupaca Foundry heads railroad west through the Rat River Wildlife area at Medina Junction.

A CN train coming fast to cross the Rat River at Medina Junction. Medina Junction is where the original Wisconsin Central (later Soo Line) and Milwaukee, Lakeshore and Western (later CNW) crossed at grade near the community of Medina.

A fast moving freight bears down on the Wiouwash Recreational Trail crossing. Headed railroad east.

So this is why there weren't any trains running through here. A Herzog rail testing vehicle crosses the junction with the Wiouwash State Trail, former C&NW right of way, as it heads southeast via CN, former SOO, rails at Medina Junction, WI on 5 Nov. '14.

It looks like some new signals will soon be installed near Milepost 195 along the CN, former SOO, rails at Medina Junction, WI, as seen on 5 Nov. '14. The junction with the Wiouwash State Trail, former C&NW right of way, is visible in the background (at the cross bucks).

CN through freight bisects a marsh in the Rat River Wildlife Area and approaches Medina Junction Rd. as it speeds northwest via former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 30 Nov. '14. Train was pulled by a pair of sequentially numbered cowl units, CN 5521 and CN 5522.

CN through freight bisects a marsh in the Rat River Wildlife Area and approaches Medina Junction Rd. as it speeds northwest via former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 30 Nov. '14. Train was pulled by a pair of sequentially numbered cowl units, CN 5521 and CN 5522.

A 12-plus car CN local bisects a frozen marsh in the Rat River Wildlife Area as it speeds southeast via former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 6 Dec. '14. It looks like the train was headed back to Neenah after working Waupaca.

CN ore train approaches the junction with the Wiouwash State Trail, former C&NW right of way, as it speeds southeast via former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 11 Dec. '14. Train had four locomotives, CN 2725 and CN 2037 pulling as well as CN 8858 and CN 5751 pushing.

CN ore train crosses the junction with the Wiouwash State Trail, former C&NW right of way, and approaches Medina Junction Rd. as it speeds southeast via former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 11 Dec. '14. Train had four locomotives, CN 2725 and CN 2037 pulling as well as CN 8858 and CN 5751 pushing.

The trailing units of a CN ore train clear the junction with the Wiouwash State Trail, former C&NW right of way, as it speeds southeast via former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 11 Dec. '14. Train had four locomotives, CN 2725 and CN 2037 pulling as well as CN 8858 and CN 5751 pushing.

CN container train crosses the frozen Rat River via the former SOO bridge and bisects the Rat River Wildlife Area as it speeds southeast at Medina Junction, WI on 22 Jan. '15. One advantage of enduring our wonderful winter weather, the frozen water affords shots that would otherwise require hip-waders or a skiff.

CN train approaches the junction with the Wiouwash State Trail, former C&NW right of way, as it heads northwest via former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 22 Jan. '15. Train was powered by a sequentially numbered pair of GE locomotives, CN 2863 and CN 2864.

CN through freight crosses the frozen Rat River and bisects the Rat River Wildlife Area as it speeds northwest via the former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 25 Jan. '15. I was not quite in the position I wanted when this train came roaring by; in my haste I advanced one-too-many increments of the zoom. I like this photograph, but I would like it more if the nose of the trailing locomotive was in frame. One advantage of enduring our wonderful winter weather, the frozen water affords shots that would otherwise require hip-waders or a skiff.

CN through freight crosses the frozen Rat River and bisects the Rat River Wildlife Area as it speeds northwest via the former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 25 Jan. '15. One advantage of enduring our wonderful winter weather, the frozen water affords shots that would otherwise require hip-waders or a skiff.

CN tank train approaches Medina Junction Rd. as it speeds northwest via former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 23 Feb. '15. Train had two locomotives, CN 2901 pulling and CN 2832 pushing.

CN tank train passes the new signals, remnants of the old signals, and clears Medina Junction Rd. as it speeds northwest via former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 23 Feb. '15. The new signals were activated within the past week or so. MoW crew came the next day and removed the last remnants of the old signals. Train had two locomotives, CN 2901 pulling and CN 2832 pushing.

CN container train approaches the junction with the Wiouwash State Trail, former C&NW right-of-way, as it speeds northwest via former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 11 May '15.

CN through freight crosses the junction with the Wiouwash State Trail, former C&NW right-of-way, as it speeds southeast via former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 30 Jul. '15. Train had three locomotives CN 2892 and CN 2864 up front and CN 2942 pushing.

CN through freight crosses the junction with the Wiouwash State Trail, former C&NW right-of-way, as it speeds southeast via former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 30 Jul. '15. Train had three locomotives CN 2892 and CN 2864 up front and CN 2942 pushing.

CN mixed freight approaches the junction with the former C&NW right-of-way, now the Wiouwash State Trail, as it speeds southeast via former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 6 Oct. '15. Train had three locomotives, CN 2885 and CN 2862 up front and CN 2822 mid-train.

CN mixed freight crosses the junction with the former C&NW right-of-way, now the Wiouwash State Trail, as it speeds southeast via former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 6 Oct. '15. Train had three locomotives, CN 2885 and CN 2862 up front and CN 2822 mid-train.

CN through freight crosses Medina Junction Rd. as it speeds northwest via former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 15 Nov. '15. Looking southeast from the junction with the-Wiouwash State Trail, former C&NW right-of-way.

CN through freight approaches Medina Junction Rd. as it heads northwest via former SOO rails at Medina Junction on 16 Dec. '15.

CN local bisects the Rat River Wildlife Area as it hauls 38 cars northwestward via former SOO rails at Medina Junction on 16 Dec. '15. I believe the train was destined for Waupaca. Looking southwest from the Wiouwash State Trail, former C&NW right-of-way.

CN through freight crosses the frozen Rat River via the former SOO bridge and bisects the Rat River Wildlife Area as it speeds southeast at Medina Junction, WI on 23 Jan. '16.

CN mixed freight crosses the frozen Rat River via the former SOO bridge and bisects the Rat River Wildlife Area as it speeds southeast at Medina Junction, WI on 23 Jan. '16. Train had five locomotives, CN 2245, BNSF 7501, BNSF 8474, CN 5552, CN 2344(?). I did not anticipate 5 locomotives, if I had I would have attempted to gain a vantage point from which I might have captured all of them in 1 frame.

CN through freight crosses the junction with the Wiouwash State Trail, former C&NW right-of-way, as it speeds northwest via former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 4 Dec. '16. Train had four or five locomotives, including CN 2562, CN 5479, CN 2506. The bench at left was emplaced earlier in the year “In honor of John Kurka, Papa to Sam and Caleb, ‘the Train Watchers.’”

CN through freight heads southeast through the Rat River Wildlife Area via former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 15 Jan. '17. Train had three locomotives, CN 3050 and CN 2807 pulling and CN 2859 mid-train. Most of the cars belonged to Potash Corp., but rear of the train was mixed freight.

CN through freight heads southeast through the Rat River Wildlife Area via former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 15 Jan. '17. Train had three locomotives, CN 3050 and CN 2807 pulling and CN 2859 mid-train. Most of the cars belonged to Potash Corp., but rear of the train was mixed freight.

CN 48961 was part of the consist of a CN through freight headed southeast through the Rat River Wildlife Area via former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 15 Jan. '17. Most of the cars belonged to Potash Corp., but rear of the train was mixed freight.

A pair of out-of-town visitors lead a unit train of 2-bay covered hoppers southeast through the Rat River Wildlife Area via CN, former SOO, rails at Medina Junction, WI on 15 Jan. '17.

CN local crosses Medina Junction Rd. as it heads northwest via former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on a foggy 21 Jan. '17. The junction with the former C&NW right-of-way, now the Wiouwash State Trail, is about 400' out of frame to the left. Train was headed for Waupaca.

CN mixed freight crosses the junction with the former C&NW right-of-way, now the Wiouwash State Trail, as it speeds northwest via former SOO rails at Medina Junction, WI on 4 Feb. '17.