Timetable: C&NW Railroad - Cascade Branch (Loop Line) - Cascade to West Ishpeming

The CNW Cascade Branch, commonly referred to as the "Loop Line", was built in 1865, almost simultaneous with the main line between Escanaba and Ishpeming. The Loop Line left the main line at Cascade Junction (near what is now Gwinn), and proceeded west below Lake Sally and then looping north to Winthrop Junction near Ishpeming. This line touched a number of mines in the Palmer and National Mine areas. The line continued to serve until 1917 when a four mile section was removed from approximately Empire Mine west to National Mine.

Some of this right-of-way may have been used for the current Tilden and Empire mines.

None of this track exists today, except for a small section used by the Mineral Range railroad between Ishpeming and National Mine. There are remnants of rail which continue to be in place near the Old Richmond mine (as of 2010).

The Loop Line likely did not have passenger trains, other than  occasional detour traffic. Freight and ore were hauled with perhaps a mixed train for the Palmer area and other mines.

Note Key:  C=Coal | D=Open during the day | DN=Day and night | HI=Half Interlocker | I=Interlocker | J=Junction | N=Open at night | P=Passing Track w/40' car capacity | S=Scales | TC=Telegraph call | W=Water | X=Crossing | Y=Wye | Yard=Yard

Notes

[REF] = [ETT-1948] + [CNWM] + [MRL] plus additions.

On the section of this branch which was removed in 1917, a number of natural sink holes and mine cave-ins and bypasses were noted on [CNWV[

The north end of this branch was considered by the C&NW as "End of Cascade Branch", just east of Winthrop Junction and at the entrance to the C&NW's lead to the Salisbury Mine. [CNWV]

Time Line

1865. The line is built from Cascade Junction to the Holmes Mine via Palmer. [MRL]

1871. The line is completed by the C&NW from Holmes Mine to Ishpeming. [MRL]

1917. This branch was removed from Palmer to just west of Tilden Mine. A new branch line was built north from Palmer in 1917. [CNWM][CNWV]

1922. A 2,500' section of this branch was reinstalled to reach the Hercules Power Company tracks in Section 28, Tr7N-R27W. [CNWV]

1970. There was a 2.8% westbound grade just west of Palmer, which is where the line was trancated. There was also a westbound 1.8% grade near the New Richmond Mine. [CNWM]