Checks can be sent to:  R. Donald Ross, 3821 Crater Lake Ct, Irving, TX 75062-4015

Index D-L

"Foster's and Nobody Elses" was started as a tramway in 1878 and rebuilt as a steam railway in 1882 as the Chicago Fairchild & Eau Claire from Fairchild to the Eau Claire River, about 15 miles. The entire operation was owned by the Foster family, who owned lumbering operations in the area. It apparently was not considered a common carrier and ceased operation in 1896. In 1897 the line was reorganized as the F&NE, a common carrier. In 1898 the line was extended to Greenwood, an additional 8 miles. By 1900 another 7 miles was opened. In 1906 construction began again and the line was completed to Owen, a total of 38 miles. In 1912 construction began on another line from Fairchild. It reached Cleghorn in 1914 which became the western terminal when the final 13 miles to Caryville were never completed. From this time, the line began a downward spiral since the hardwood along the line was gone. Agricultural products became the primary business of the railroad. During WW1 it was taken over by the USRA as the smallest road under government control. After the road was returned in 1919, the economic problems continued. In 1920 it was leased to the Central Wisconsin Ry, a new company formed by patrons along the line. In 1924 the lease was cancelled and the operation reverted to the F&NE. In 1925 the Fosters sold the company to a group of Chicago businessmen. The new group presided over the demise of the railroad. Engines and rolling stock were gradually sold off and the Cleghorn line was abandoned in 1926. In 1929 all operations were suspended and final abandonment took place on October 30, 1930.

7 was built by Taunton in July 1870, #501, as St Paul & Sioux City 11 "Medelia". It became Chicago St Paul Minneapolis & Omaha 211 in 1880 and F&NE 7 in 1898. It was scrapped in 1918.

12 was built by Vulcan in February 1916, #2535. In 1925 it was sold to Birmingham Rail & Locomotive, who rebuilt it and sold it to Laona & Northern as 4, Class MT, on September 21, 1926.

When the line was abandoned, the Tioga station was moved to a farm until 1967 when Adrienne McCombe purchased it and returned it to Tioga. By 1981 the station and the local general store were restored thanks to Mrs. McCombe.

One of the largest stations was Greenwood which was the northern terminal from 1898 to 1900.

There is a national company.

25 was built by Lima on March 18, 1908, #2057, as Chicago Milwaukee & St Pacific 1499. It was renumbered 25 in December 1912 and stored at Tomahawk, WI, on October 10, 1921/  It was sold to HLCo on January 19, 1927.  It was leased to J L Kuester Machine Shop on January 30, 1947, and shipped to North Milwaukee where it was scrapped.

1.

6, 45 Ton, was built by Davenport in February 1942, #2374, as Milan Ordnance Depot 1. It later became U S Army 7220 and later U S Air Force 7220. It was sold to H&NE as 6 in 1947.

They had a flanger which appears to have been home built.

Their office and depot was plain. I can think of no other description.

5, RSC2u, was built by Alco in January 1947, #75129, as CMStP&P 985, Class D-15.  It was reclassified Class 15A-RS6 and in 1954 it was rebuilt to Class 16A-RS6.  In 1959 it was renumbered 591 and in October 1965 it was rebuilt as 578.  It was sold to KMRy 5 in April 1977 and resold as Brillion & Forest Junction Ry 5 in June 1978.  It was sold as Paperton Junction Southern Ry 5 in 1987.

18 was built by Alco in 1910, #46941, as Lake Superior & Ishpeming 18, Class SC-4.  It was sold to Marquette & Huron Mountain RR as 18, Class SC-4, and was then sold to Ishpeming Steel Co in January 1985.  It was then sold to LSSA as 18 and then to Grand Canyon Ry as 18 in 1989.  It was sold as Mount Hood RR 18 in April 2007 and sold as San Luis & Rio Grande RR 18 on January 31, 2008.

Lake Superior Terminal & Transfer Co.

21 was built by Alco in March 1921, #62894. It was sold as Duluth & Northeastern RR 30.

100, NW2, was built by Electro-Motive in February 1948, #5286, FN E892-1.  It was sold to Continental Grain Co and operated with no change in paint.

101, NW2, was built by Electro-Motive in February 1948, #5287, FN E892-2.  It was acquired by Minnesota Transportation Museum.

103, NW2, was built by Electro-Motive in August 1949, #7807, FN E1105-1.  It was retired on October 19, 1986 and sold as Railroad Technology Corp 103.

104, NW2, was built by Electro-Motive in August 1949, #7808, FN E1105-2.  It was sold as RTTX 104.

105, SW1200, was built by Electro-Motive in July 1957, #23480, FN 4396-1.  It was acquired by MTM and lettered as Northern Pacific 105.

55 was built by Jordan Co in 1916, #340.  It was built for Butler Bos Co and sold as LST&T 55 in 1940 and donated to Mid-Continent Railway Museum.

Langlade Lumber Co.

3 was built by Lima on July 23, 1907, #1925, as Foster-Latimer Co, 3.  It was sold as LLCo 3 and sold to General Equipment.  It sold as Perrine Saw Mill Co 3 in April 1921 and became Arkansas-Alabama Lumber 3 in November 1921.  It was sold as Foster Creek Lumber & Mfg Co 5 on March 3, 1924, and sold as Crosby Lumber & Mfg Co 5 on January 13, 1924,  It was later scrapped.

The other L&N was built in 1902 between Laona and Laona Junction and was owned by Connor Land & Lumber Co. It is still operating steam excursion service.

3.

4, Class MT, was built by Vulcan in February 1916, #2535, as Fairchild & North-Eastern 12. In 1925 it was sold to Birmingham Rail & Locomotive, who rebuilt it and sold it to L&N as 4, Class MT, on September 21, 1926.

103, 65 Ton, was built by Whitcomb in September 1944, #60503, as U S Army 8497. It was acquired by L&N as government surplus after WWII. It later became Nicolet Badger Northern 103 in 1984.

O my God, fill my soul with holy joy, courage and strength to serve You. Enkindle Your love in me and then walk with me along the next stretch of road before me.

---St. Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)