Portage, WI: Milwaukee Depot, Junction Tower & Railyard and Portage Canal

Depot: (Satellite)

Junction: (Satellite)

Railyard: (Satellite)

I remember Portage, WI, because it has the one-mile canal that connected the Wisconsin River with the Fox River and helped create the Wisconsin Waterway.

Street View, Jul 2018

CPCK must still use the depot as an office because there is an Amshack just west of the depot.

Street View, Jul 2018

The railyard is still quite active. I saw at least a couple of locomotives parked there and some MoW equipment as well as some cuts of freight cars.

Satellite

John Harker posted two images with the comment: "Bob Crisp photographed this trio of Milw GP38-2s on a freight passing the Portage Junction, Wisconsin tower east of the Portage yard and depot on June 23, 1982.  GP38-2 353 was part of the first order, 350 to 355, that entered service in June 1973.  A total of 16 units were purchased by the Milw for secondary and branch line service.  An aerial map is included for reference.  John Harker photo editing and collection."

Scott Janz: The middle loco is crossing the Portage canal, a link of the Fox River and Wisconsin River. The tower controlled a lift span that once was there as well as the M&P junction just past the bridge and other things. The tower made it to the early 90’s, although abandoned at that time.

1

2

193 aerial photo

The Milwaukee route to the east is now abandoned. The north/south route became part of the Wisconsin Central. The north part is now abandoned, and the south part became part of Milwaukee.

1902 Portage via Dennis DeBruler