The Milwaukee’s goals in the early 1880’s were Kansas City,
Fargo, and Omaha, destinations it reached within a few years. Once these
points were reached, the railroad began to extend branch lines from the
main lines, a process that was to be repeated again and again over the
years.
As the line spread through the midwest, the company
began to be known for its introduction of important railroad innovations.
It also started scheduling trains that, 10 or 20 years later, would become
famous “name” trains.
In 1887, the Milwaukee was the first railroad to equip
all of its passenger cars for steam heating. The next year, it was the
first railroad to operate electrically lighted trains west of Chicago, the
first of these operating between Chicago and the Twin Cities on September
10, 1888. The first electrically lighted train to Omaha went over company
tracks in 1889.
During these years, the Milwaukee was a highly
respected, progressive, rapidly growing and soundly financed company, but
changes again were ahead. Some came with Russell Sage’s departure from the
company in 1879 (he actually had ceased holding a title before this, but
retained a large share of ownership) and then with the death of Alexander
Mitchell in 1887. General Manager Merrill had died in 1884. |
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The 1880's |