Copper Range Railroad

Copper Range Railroad

Reporting mark	CR COPR
Locale	Michigan
Dates of operation	1899–1972
Track gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Length	108 miles (174 kilometres)
Headquarters	Houghton, Michigan

File:Copper Range - 29 steam locomotive (2-8-0) & tender.jpg

Copper Range #29 , a 1907 ALCO steam locomotive (2-8-0), on display at the Mid-Continent Railway Museum.

File:Copper Range.jpg

Boxcars of the Copper Range Railroad in 1972

The Copper Range Railroad (reporting marks CR, COPR) was a former U.S. Class I railroad that operated from 1899 to 1972 in the western Upper Peninsula of the state of Michigan.

History

The Copper Range Railroad was incorporated in 1899 as a successor to the Northern Michigan Railroad. The railroad was controlled by the Copper Range Company, the second largest producer of copper in the Lake Superior district. The line was opened from Gay to McKeever, Michigan that same year.

Reorganization was necessary by 1930. In 1944 the railroad reinstated passenger service (only mixed train service had been offered from some time) with the Chippewa, which ran between Houghton and McKeever where it connected with the Milwaukee Road's Chippewa, providing daytime service between the Keweenaw Peninsula and Chicago. The service was a wartime measure and was discontinued by 1946.

The Copper Range Railroad operated until October 27, 1972; it was dismantled soon after. Service to Houghton via Soo Line's ex-Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic branch lasted less than a decade longer. During its life span, the Copper Range Railroad rostered 24 steam and 3 diesel locomotives.

Legacy

Copper Range #29 is currently under restoration at the Mid-Continent Railway Museum, in North Freedom, Wisconsin, which also owns former Copper Range Railroad Coach No. 60.

External links

• Copper Range Railroad and Keweenaw copper mining history
• Copper Country Explorer