Hey all, how about sharing your favorite memory of the Milwaukee Road with us? It can be a person, place, or? Or better yet, even more than one recollection! BoxcabE50
I think the memory that has always impressed me about the Milwaukee Road was their class act vis-a-vis marketing and promotion. Growing up during the Art-Deco period, and seeing the Hiawatha logo (see logo) for the first time as a youngster, being the creative, beautiful work of art that it is, was really impressive. It seemed to imply speed and beauty, but in a static sense. As I followed the Milwaukee, and of course other roads over the years, I was always most impressed with the Milwaukee's advertisments as well. They projected a deep sense of pride in their property and operations. So I guess, in a word, my favorite memory of the Milwaukee Road was "image" ! Bill (wabash_one)
Hi Bill- Thanks for your memories. I'm trying to think of just one that stands out. Am blessed to have many recollections. Perhaps going back to my earliest years is where to start? This is when I first saw a Bipolar. In the pre-"Cities" scheme. As a very young child, it seems like a monster about to eat me. I was terrified! It's humorous that so many years later, the RR that first scared me so badly, is the one I admire the most. BoxcabE50
The details are fuzzy now, but in 1979 a friend and I went on a hell trip to Washington and Oregon. We caught the Milwaukee F7a's and slug b's doubling the hill. It was just after sunset and the first trip I managed to shoot the power with the first half the train. Even taking the train in two parts those old girls were really talking. Now I need to dig up those pictures and put a location to those memories. Thanks for jogging the old gray cells. Greg Elems
My Milwaukee memories actually begin when the Soo Line took over. My Uncle took me to Bensenville each week and I loved seeing all the different locomotives and all the odd ball stuff.it was really great. I posted a memory somewhere on this board about my last Tail- gate picnic..for old time sake.well the last train I saw on the milwaukee was a local with a soo cabosse, not Milw, but hay, it was still a great ending to the railfanning experence in the rail capital of the world!
Many thanks for the input guys. It sure gets a mental slide show running in my mind. Remembering when I watched the F units on Tacoma Hill. Or sitting in my 4x4 eating a picnic lunch somewhere waiting for the Milw to come by. (An inside the vehicle tailgate party. It was often cool, wet, and blustery.) BoxcabE50
