| Looking northwest along the recently truncated CN, former GB&W, rails from Depot St. at Manawa, WI on 30 Nov. '15. The residents of Manawa, WI have had their complaints of rough grade crossings addressed. Unfortunately the solution does not seem to bode well for the future of rail service there in the near term. On the drive toward Manawa, I was thrilled to see the red flag at Northport had been removed, but my elation suddenly turned to disappointment as I pulled into Manawa on this day. The tracks have been removed from all of the grade crossings in town, the passing siding here has been removed, and the tracks leading from the mainline into downtown and Sturm Foods have been removed. This turnout was for the west end of the passing siding, another turnout (behind me) diverted to the right to head into downtown Manawa. There was a red flag located this side of the bridge over the Little Wolf River, but it is obviously not needed at the moment. The Tomorrow River State Trail starts on the opposite side of the bridge and runs to Plover, where active rails resume. Maybe the fact that the entire line has not been torn up still offers a glimmer of hope for a return of rail service, maybe I am naïve. |