CPKC Snake Creek Bridge (Weaver)

In 1869, the Saint Paul and Chicago Railway (StP&C) began construction on 128 miles of new railroad, extending from La Crescent, Minnesota to St. Paul, Minnesota. Some grading was done under the Minnesota and Pacific Railway between 1857 and 1860. By 1872, the new railroad would be complete, and the StP&C would convey the line to the Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway, which would change its name to the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway Company (CM&StP) in 1874. Known as the Milwaukee Road, the railroad was beginning to amass a large collection of railroads throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa.

This line became the backbone of the Milwaukee Road system in Minnesota, connecting the Twin Cities and Chicago. Because of the importance of this route, the Milwaukee Road double tracked a majority of it between 1905 and 1910. The Milwaukee Road was often in financial trouble, especially after the costly Pacific Extension was completed in 1909. In 1925, the company declared bankruptcy, and reorganized as the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad in 1928. Financial hardship continued for the Milwaukee Road, and the railroad again filed bankruptcy in 1977. During the 1970s and 1980s, segments of the double track were removed along this route. By 1985, a suitor for the Milwaukee Road was being sought, and the Soo Line Railroad, controlled by Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) purchased the Milwaukee Road in 1986. CP merged with Kansas City Southern Railway in 2023 to form CPKC. CPKC currently operates this route as their River Subdivision, and the route also hosts Amtrak trains.