| Wisconsin Central LTD was formed in 1987 amid large-scale changes in the face of upper Midwest railroading; it took over operations on mostly ex-Soo Line trackage that that railroad spun off in the wake of its acquisition of the Milwaukee Road. Through the late 1980s into the '90s the cornerstone of its roster became a fleet of well over 100 secondhand SD45s mostly of ATSF and BN lineage. Eventually painted into the road's handsome maroon and gold scheme, they became favorite "catches" among area railfans. However, upon the 2001 acquisition of WCL by CN, the 3,600 HP, 20-cylinder behemoths quickly fell out of favor and were retired c. 2005-'06. 7525, one of two in a special Operation Lifesaver scheme, was earmarked for preservation at IRM. A few others found second (or technically third) careers with other shortlines, but most languished at the various NRE boneyards, slowly being stripped of all useful parts before scrapping. |