One of the vexing issues for Milwaukee Road modelers is when the railroad officially started using the moniker "The Milwaukee Road." According to a publication by the State Historical Society of Iowa printed in 1964, the name was first used by the Railroad after the 1928 bankruptcy when the Railroad was officially renamed "The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railway." Railroad officials realized that the name was too long for car lettering so the railroad officially and immediately started using "The Milwaukee Road." The publication is titled, "Palimpsest - The Milwaukee Road in Iowa." The book is available at the Upper Musselshell Historical Society library at Harlowton, Montana.
John- If this is what that publication noted, there is an error. Railway is incorrect, it became Railroad. There still seems to be some occasional debate as to the when 'The Milwaukee Road" was actually first used. We do know it was in at least unofficial use pre-CMSt.P&P RR. I would think perhaps a person such as Michael Sol would have some information on this topic, if not a confirmation. Also, Receivership began in 1925 and the process ended in 1927, with the sale on December 31st. January 13, 1928, was the official first day of CMSt.P and P RR.
The railway note was my mistake, not the book's error. Sorry. I do think that the book is correct about when the moniker was first officially used - it takes the guess out of proper modeling trasin from the 20s and 30s. John
According to a publication by the Railroad itself, use of "The Milwaukee Road" had officially begun by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway during April of 1927. See: "Four Generations On the Line." It started in their advertising and application to equipment was to begin thereafter. So it was already under way before the CMSt.P and P RR started operations.
For what it's worth... The June-July 1928 passenger timetable had "Chicago Milwaukee St. Paul and Pacific" on the cover. The cover of the June 1929 passenger timetable just said "The Milwaukee Road". Paul Seattle, WA
Probably not surprising, as they'd be interested in getting the new company name out there, in front of the world. The March, 1928 public TT issue was the same name as June-July. I'll drop a note to Michael and see what he has on this.
Heard back from Michael. He confirms the CM&St.P RY advertising campaign starting in 1927, as I mentioned yesterday. Says he has examples of all ads but one. He also noted having found references to "The Milwaukee Road', so far, going back as early as 1903.
A little more- Michael also sent me this link to 1927 ad scans on his web site: http://www.milwaukeeroadarchives.com/Advertising/Advertising%201927%20State%20Campaign/1927%20Advertising%20Campaign.htm
