Re: [CBQ] CB&Q to St Paul construction dates (source: Google.gemini: "CB&N History"

["james miller via groups.io" <jimbro67=gmail.com@groups.io>]

East bank of the Mississippi River.

On Mon, Nov 24, 2025, 9:10 AM cbqbill1x via groups.io <kybillhusb=gmail.com@groups.io> wrote:

• Controlling Company: It was constructed and controlled by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad (CB&Q), also known as the "Burlington Route."

• Goal: Its primary purpose was to give the CB&Q a direct, competitive route from Chicago to the important rail center of the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul), traversing the upper Mississippi River Valley.

2. The Great River Route

• Construction (1886): The CB&N completed its primary line, which was renowned for its scenic nature as it followed the west bank of the Mississippi River for about 300 miles.

• Route: The line ran from Savanna, Illinois, to St. Paul, Minnesota, passing through major river towns like La Crosse, Wisconsin, and Prescott, Wisconsin.

• Competition: This 431-mile route was slightly longer than its rivals (like the Milwaukee Road and the Chicago and North Western), but it boasted more gentle grades and curves, making for an easier and faster run in the long term.

3. Noteworthy Operations

• Passenger Trains: The CB&N quickly established itself with premier passenger service, including:

  • The "Scenic Express" (a daily train).

  • The "Vestibule Limited" (a night train), which was re-equipped in 1897 and advertised as one of the finest trains in the world.

• Legacy: The line between Chicago and the Twin Cities, built primarily by the CB&N and its parent, is still maintained today as a well-regarded, double-tracked route, often referred to by railroaders as "The Race Track" due to its high-speed capability.

4. Merger and Absorption

• Merger (1899): The Chicago, Burlington & Northern Railway Company was formally merged into its parent company, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad (CB&Q).

In summary, the CB&N was a critical subsidiary that secured the Burlington Route's presence in the lucrative Chicago-Twin Cities corridor before being officially absorbed back into the massive CB&Q system.

References

http://www.greenbayroute.com/railroads.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Trains/ICC_valuations/Chicago,_Burlington_and_Quincy_Railroad

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015021319341 (Corporate History of the CB&Q pp 114-125)

Burlington Route Historical Society Bulletin Board Rupert Gamlen 21 Nov 2025

Baldwin’s Corporate History of the CB&Q, available at #7 - Corporate history of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad ... - Full View | HathiTrust Digital Library

Archives

Johnson Family Papers, 20 vol and c.1,400 items, incl material on legal affairs of Galena & Southern Wisconsin, Chicago, Burlington & Northern, and Illinois Central; Chicago Historical Society Library: 64-1329

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