Beginning operations in 1980 with a small fleet of SD9s, the WSOR has grown over the years to operate 837 miles of track over two divisions in Wisconsin. In 1992 the WSOR acquired three ex-BN F45s and repainted them into their attractive red-and-grey livery. Originally purchased to power trains from Horicon, WI to Chicago, IL, but were disliked for switching. They were then moved to Janesville, WI for another Chicago train over Soo Line trackage, but were never used as the SOO prohibited 6-axle power at the time. Ultimately, these units didnât spending much time in Southern Wisconsin as they proved too heavy for the old Milwaukee Road rails the WSOR operated on. Instead of sitting idle, they were leased back to the Burlington Northern and then sold to the Montana Rail Link where they were eventually repainted after a few years.
Beginning operations in 1980 with a small fleet of SD9s, the WSOR has grown over the years to operate 837 miles of track over two divisions in Wisconsin. In 1992 the WSOR acquired three ex-BN F45s and repainted them into their attractive red-and-grey livery. Originally purchased to power trains from Horicon, WI to Chicago, IL, but were disliked for switching. They were then moved to Janesville, WI for another Chicago train over Soo Line trackage, but were never used as the SOO prohibited 6-axle power at the time. Ultimately, these units didnât spending much time in Southern Wisconsin as they proved too heavy for the old Milwaukee Road rails the WSOR operated on. Instead of sitting idle, they were leased back to the Burlington Northern and then sold to the Montana Rail Link where they were eventually repainted after a few years.