THE MILWAUKEE ROAD - A RAILFAN'S JOURNEY [Preview Video]

[Hiawatha Pete]

Many years ago, I went on a road & rail trip across the Pacific Northwestern U.S. to document what remained of what was once the world's longest electrified railroad - The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad, also known as the Milwaukee Road.

The full-length video of this trip is now available on my YouTube channel at:

[jmowreader]

1. Don't remind me about the Milwaukee Road

In the late 1970s that road wanted to stop doing business in Idaho because they were going broke, but the Federal Railroad Administration said no. So, they ceased doing maintenance and derailed themselves out of an operating permit. They were up to three derailments a week before the feds shut them down.

[Hiawatha Pete]

2. Further to your comment, I read that by 1973 the line was in terrible shape - due to neglect by a management

(IE the holding company) that apparently wanted to bankrupt the RR & then sell off the real estate.

My video, however, is meant as a tribute to the hard working Milwaukee employees who did everything they could to keep the RR running but were ultimately let down by their own management