[milwaukee-electric] Re: Thanks guys - some questions

[William Sell]

That checks with my memory. Hillcrest is not a word I remember (I was 
young), but we did walk up the line to the Co-op. There was a bit of 
extra track alongside the Hales Corners station, serving the shops 
nearby. I recall only a single track coming into HC from downtown, 
but after the passenger station, that single track split into two for 
the final half mile up to the co-op - allowing frequent trains (at 
one time) to pass each other. Also there was a stand-alone platform 
which was served by a third track breaking off the double track. 
Before my time I would suspect several shops received deliveries to 
this ramp, which had a slope on which a truck could drive. But I do 
not remember a single time when I saw the ramp used in this way. The 
lumber construction was old and unpainted at that time.  It probably 
died as a useful tool, - when, before the war??

In time, the track to the co-op was no longer used by the Rapid 
Transit -- or the Speedrail (not clear when) -- and the train simply 
stopped at the station, and the conductor switched to the back 
(front) of the train for the return to town.

Hales Corners Lumber and Fuel continued well into the 20th century, 
serving the growing community with building supplies; I sort of think 
it is still there (need to check next time I'm in HC).

Our house (which was torn down only one year ago) was a bit east of 
the HC passenger station, across the street from Senfts, the inn that 
occupied the triangle on which the train picked up and dropped off passengers.

I once found a photo of the old HC station, but in my perusing of 
TransportCo.Com this weekend I did not see it. Maybe it will turn up 
in my files. Development wrecked all this; HC would be a charming 
village with all of these artifacts had the automobile not ruled the 
roost for a generation and more.

best
Bill Sell





At 10:59 AM 9/14/2009, Don L. Leistikow wrote:
>Bill Sell and list:   The Hales Corners loop area was known as
>Hillcrest, probably a stop from long ago when passenger service was
>operated to Burlington and East 
>Troy.
>
>At Hillcrest was a small Co-Op, Standard Oil, I think.  In addition, the
>track which served this facility was also a lead to WEPCO's Line Pole
>and Material Yard.  Flat cars of Line Poles were a routine business.  In
>addition, Hales Corners Lumber & Fuel was located on the SW corner of
>the Forest Home, Cape Road and the Hwy 100 intersection.  Carloads of
>Coal were also a common delivery.
>
>Groceries for Big Bend Shop Rite were spotted at the HC spur where a
>platform was located.  These were stop-off cars, as I would later
>discover.  Big Bend Shop Rite was a member of Roundy's retailer owned
>Co-Op.
>
>Don L.

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