Escanaba and Lake Superior Railroad
From Railroad Depot
| Escanaba and Lake Superior Railroad | |
|---|---|
 ELS System Map | |
| Reporting marks | ELS |
| Locale | North Eastern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan |
| Dates of operation | 1898 – present |
| Headquarters | Wells, Michigan |
The Escanaba & Lake Superior Railroad (AAR reporting marks ELS) is a privately owned shortline railroad company operating in Northeastern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Under current ownership, the E&LS has expanded from the original core line of 65 miles that was purchased in 1978, to over 235 miles of operating railroad in 2005. The E.&L.S.R.R. is headquartered in Wells Michigan, MI, with an additional office located in Green Bay, WI.
Contents |
[edit] Track and Trackage Rights
The 208 mile mainline of the E&LS stretches from Ontonagon, Michigan on the shores of Lake Superior to Green Bay, Wisconsin. In addition to the mainline, two key branches are the 6-mile Stiles Junction to Oconto Falls, Wisconsin line and the 21-mile Crivitz, Wisconsin, to Marinette, Wisconsin/Menominee, Michigan line. Other lines owned by the E&LS include Channing to Republic, MichiganI, and Channing to Wells, Michigan. The E&LS operates on trackage rights over the Canadian National Railroad from North Escanaba, Michigan to Pembine, Wisconsin|. The E&LS connects with the Canadian National at Green Bay, North Escanaba, Pembine, and Iron Mountain, Michigan|.[1]
[edit] Freight Service
The E.&L.S.R.R. provides a minimum of 5 day per week service over the mainline from Ontonagon to Green Bay, Wisconsin, and customizes service to meet shipper requirements in Oconto Falls, and Marinette, Wisconsin|/Menominee Wisconsin|Menominee]]. Seven road locomotives and 3 switch locomotives provide the power for operations over the system. The E&LS owns and/or leases a substantial car fleet that includes: 781 boxcars, 77 bulkhead flatcars, 4 gondolas, and 15 RBL’s for a total of 877 rail freight cars.
[edit] Radio Frequencies
- 160.320 Road
- 160.290
- 161.310
- 161.550
[edit] Timeline
- 1898: Line to Watson and Woodlawn Branch to Golden
- 1901: Channing Iron Ore
- 1902: Escanaba Branch and Northland to Gleason
- 1903: Gleason to Austin & Kates
- 1909: Woodlawn Branch extended, Ralph Branch
- 1911-12: Turner Branch added – 2 Camps
- 1915: Hendricks Line
- 1918: Mashek Branch added for hardwood
- 1920: Hendricks extended to Boney Falls Dam
- 1921: Kates & Austin out to New Kates
- 1922: Turner Branch out.
- 1928: Ralph Branch out.
- 1935: Mashek Branch out as far as the Escanaba River
- 1937: Ore out & took up balance of Mashek Branch
- 1939: Northland Branch out.
- 1943: I. Stephenson Mill in Wells closed, ending the logging era on the E&LS.
- 1961: Escanaba agents office closed
- 1980: Acquired Milwaukee Road line from Ontonagon to Green Bay, WI
- 1981: Purchased the Republic line
