[milwaukee-electric] Re: West Junction Waiting Room and New Power Poles in Milwaukee

[Don L. Leistikow]

Gary S and list:   To further clarify Scott's description.... the Local
Rapid Transit Line, roughly from what would have been 100th and Lapham,
was begun out there, breaking away from the origiinal trackage tjhat ran
through West Allis .  Construction northward from that point began in
1926.                                          

Standards for the new High Speed RTL into downtown Milwaukee, was a
magnificant venture costing some six million 1926 dollars.  That entire
line was to be grade crossing free, resulting in a combination of over
and under road and street crossings.  Local Stops were built at
Greenfield, Schlinger, Adler, 92nd, 84th, 79th, 76th, 73rd, 68th,
Soldiers Home (nominally 52nd street).  A Stop was apparently built at
about 38th street on the east side of the 40th street Bluff with
construction endiing upon entrance to 35th street car line.                                   

LRT trains then ran north some two blocks, turning east on Clybourn to
6th, north to Michigan and east to the PSB.  Rechecking the TM book, a
few minor errors exist as to the end of line service of Route 13
Clybourn-Michigan line               

Limited service on Watertown trains east of West Junction, was held to
transfer (crosstown) points (Greenfield, 84th and 68th), only.                                               

What is of more interest, is that the PROW dropped down east of 73rd
street and joined the local Route 10 car line at a point about 70th
street.  That line ran straight east on Fairview Avenue to Hawley Road
where it entered prow again on the south line of Calvary Cemetary.  On
the southeast corner of Calvary Cemetary, Route 10 cars turned north,
whereas the LRT cars continued east, crossing the valley on a timber
trestle which was then filled in.  Bridges crossed over 43rd street and
the CMSTP&P tracks, before skirting the north side of the bluff.   

Later, the LRT and Route 10 car line were relocated in mid-block south
of Fairview between 68th and Hawley Road, expanding the two track prow
to four tracks in width.  That relocation ended street running on
Fairview avenue.                                               

Hope that this more technical transscription, will enlighten the issue
more completely.                                      

Don L.