A CN local approaches Towmen Rd. as it heads northeast at Shawano Junction, Fox Crossing (originally Town of Menasha until 14 Apr. '16), Winnebago Co., WI on 19 Feb. '19. This spot used to be named Fox River Junction, after several segments of the original C&NW main line through Menasha and Neenah were removed and a turnout was installed here (out-of-frame to the right) which allows the bypass of missing C&NW rails by using former SOO rails. The locomotive is passing that turnout and transitioning to the former C&NW rails to head for Appleton, Little Chute, and Kaukauna. The almost completely snow-covered SOO rails continue toward Shawano, WI at lower left. The old, leaning sign next to the block signals at right says Junction One Mile (referring to Winchester Rd./Hwy. II, labeled as Winnebago Junction on some old maps). The facility in the background at left used to receive rail service via C&NW rails, but has not had a spur for quite some time. |