Soo Line Railroad
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Railroad |
| Predecessor | Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad; Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railway; Wisconsin Central Railway |
| Founded | 1961 (as Soo Line Railroad) |
| Headquarters | Minneapolis , United States |
Area served | North Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Illinois |
Key people | Leonard H. Murray (President 1961–1978), Thomas M. Beckley (1978–1983), Dennis Miles Cavanaugh (1983–1986 and 1987–1989), Robert C. Gilmore (1986–1987), Edwin V. Dodge (1989–1996) |
| Products | Freight rail transport |
| Parent | Soo Line Corporation (subsidiary of CPKC Railway) |
Soo Line Railroad
The Soo Line Railroad operates as a prominent U.S. subsidiary under the CPKC Railway, which ranks among the six major U.S. Class I railroads. It functions under the management of the Soo Line Corporation. Its name originates from the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad (MStP&SSM). The railroad was formed in 1961 through the merger of that company with two additional CPKC subsidiaries: the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railway and the Wisconsin Central Railway. Over time, it also incorporated other Class I railroads, such as the Minneapolis, Northfield and Southern Railway (acquired in 1982) and the bankrupt Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (commonly known as Milwaukee Road, acquired in 1985).
A significant portion of its track was divested in 1987 to Wisconsin Central Ltd., which later became part of Canadian National Railway. Together with the Delaware and Hudson Railway, another major CPKC subsidiary prior to the 2008 acquisition of DM&E, the Soo Line operates commercially as part of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP). Although most rolling stock has been rebranded under CP, regulatory filings in the United States list all U.S.-based subsidiaries collectively under the Soo Line name for reporting purposes.
The company’s headquarters are situated in Minneapolis’ Canadian Pacific Plaza, having transitioned from its previous location at the nearby Soo Line Building. This location strategically supports its broad operational footprint across states including North Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and Illinois.
System description
The primary route begins at Portal, North Dakota, located on the Canada–United States border, and extends southeast along former MStP&SSM tracks toward the Twin Cities (Minneapolis–Saint Paul). Former Milwaukee Road lines link the Soo Line from the Twin Cities to Chicago via Milwaukee. Between Chicago and Detroit, where CPKC owns the Detroit River Tunnel providing a connection back into Canada, Soo Line holds rights for trackage over the Norfolk Southern Railway and haulage rights on lines owned by CSX Transportation.
Important branch lines include a connection from the border at Noyes, Minnesota to Glenwood, as well as a former line from Chicago to Louisville, Kentucky, which was sold to the Indiana Rail Road in 1983.
Additionally, through trackage rights over the BNSF Railway, Soo Line serves Duluth originating from the Twin Cities.
By the end of 1970, Soo Line operated approximately 4,000 miles of road on about 6,000 miles of track, reporting revenue freight totaling 8,249 million ton-miles.
History
Originally incorporated in Minnesota on October 19, 1949, as Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railroad, this entity was part of a reorganization involving Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railway (DSA) and its subsidiary Mineral Range Railroad. On January 1, 1961, Canadian Pacific merged several subsidiaries by consolidating the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad together with the Wisconsin Central Railway into this company, which was then renamed Soo Line Railroad. In June 1982, Soo Line acquired control over Minneapolis, Northfield and Southern Railway (MNS), a shortline operating around the Twin Cities.
Passenger services largely ceased by 1961 but continued in a limited capacity until May 1968. Notable discontinued routes included daytime service between Saint Paul and Duluth (ended in 1961), overnight Chicago to Duluth "Laker" service (ceased in 1965), Twin Cities to Winnipeg "Winnipeger" (terminated in 1967), and Saint Paul to Portal "Soo-Dominion," which connected to Vancouver (ended in 1963). The final passenger train operated was the combined Chicago-Champion-Calumet "Copper Country Limited," which ended operations in 1968.
In 1984, Canadian Pacific created Soo Line Corporation as a holding entity based in Minnesota to consolidate control. On February 19, 1985, Soo Line acquired assets of the bankrupt Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad through its subsidiary The Milwaukee Road, Inc., merging it along with MNS into Soo Line Railroad by January 1, 1986. To cut expenses, Soo Line established Lake States Transportation Division (LSTD) in February 1986 to manage less essential lines including former Wisconsin Central routes between Chicago and Twin Cities. Due to labor-related difficulties, LSTD was sold in 1987 for $133 million to regional carrier Wisconsin Central Ltd., which later became part of Canadian National Railway in 2001. By 1990, Canadian Pacific had acquired full ownership of Soo Line Corporation after previously controlling approximately 56% of its common shares. The Soo Line was entirely integrated into CP during the early 2000s.
Named passenger trains
The railroad featured several distinguished long-distance services, including:
- Laker, operating between Minneapolis, Minnesota, Duluth, Minnesota, and Ashland, Wisconsin
- Soo-Dominion, running from Chicago, Illinois to Vancouver, British Columbia
- Winnipeger, connecting Saint Paul, Minnesota with Winnipeg, Manitoba
Presidents
Notable leaders of the Soo Line Railroad were:
- Leonard H. Murray (1961–1978), who had formerly led the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railway
- Thomas M. Beckley (1978–1983)
- Dennis Miles Cavanaugh (1983–1986 and 1987–1989)
- Robert C. Gilmore (1986–1987)
- Edwin V. Dodge (1989–1996)
Preserved
A number of the railroad’s diesel locomotives have been conserved for historical purposes:
- Unit 500, an EMD FP7A model, exhibited in Ladysmith, Wisconsin
- Unit 700, an EMD GP30, restored for operation at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth on the North Shore Scenic Railroad
- Units 703 (EMD GP30) and 991 (a Barney and Smith heavyweight passenger car), both maintained at the Colfax Railroad Museum in Wisconsin
- Unit 715, an EMD GP30 housed at the National Railroad Museum in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin, painted in Wisconsin Central Ltd. colors
- Unit 2500, an EMD FP7A preserved at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum and refurbished for use on the North Shore Scenic Railroad
In addition to these locomotives, many Soo Line cabooses have been preserved; notably, unit 4402 was returned to operational status as of 2025.
Rail trails
Several former Soo Line railway corridors have been transformed into recreational trails that contribute to economic development through tourism and community engagement:
- Minnesota's Soo Line Trail links with the Lake Wobegon Trail and is popular among walkers, runners, and cyclists due to its level surface.
- In Michigan, segments of the Copper Country Limited routes along with former Copper Range Railroad tracks have been converted into multi-use trails suitable for ATVs and bicycles, including the 17-mile Jack Stevens Hancock-Calumet Trail.
- The Wolf River State Trail in Wisconsin was established along the Soo Line’s Shawano Subdivision after track removal by Wisconsin Central; it accommodates activities such as ATV riding, snowmobiling, hiking, and horseback riding.
See also
Bibliography