By the time this timetable took effect, the Green Bay Route -- under the leadership of President Homer McGee -- had completed its transformation from a sleepy Wisconsin short line to a Class I bridge line railroad.  Unprofitable branch lines were abandoned, passenger service was curtailed, and the scheduled trains emphasized fast freight service between the Mississippi River and Lake Michigan.

For the sake of readability, I have reproduced the timetable in HTML format instead of scanning the actual timetable.  All the information included in the actual timetable is included below.

There are several interesting things in this timetable:

• The premier trains on the system are fast freights No. 1 and No. 2, which are scheduled to take 23 hours and 50 minutes to cross the state.  The two trains are scheduled to meet at Black Creek at 4:37 PM daily.  These trains were typically powered by the Green Bay Route's Class "D" engines, such as GB&W #401.
• Improvements to the right-of-way for the heavy weight of the Class "D" engines was not yet complete by 1948, as evidenced by the speed and weight restriction on the Mississippi River Bridge at Winona.
• The automatic block signals at the Wisconsin Rapids terminal required an extensive set of special instructions.
• This timetable was the last to feature passenger service.  Trains No. 5, 6, 7, and 8 used a combination car daily, while fast freights No. 1 and No. 2 took passengers only on alternate days.  Passenger service ended on April 4, 1949.
  

Related material:

New London - 1948

All trains scheduled to pass through the GB&W / C&NW crossing.

Timetables

1872   1886  1944  1948  1955 1959  1969 1976

WATCH INSPECTORS

Ball Railway Time Service, Chicago, Ill.

Halfpap Bros., 614 S. Broadway, Green Bay, Wis.

Clyde Cauwenberg, 413 W. Walnut St., Green Bay, Wis.

Goodman's Inc., Stevens Point, Wis.

E. J. Scmidt, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.

Stager Jewelry Co., Winona, Minn.

ENGINES EQUIPPED WITH RADIO PHONES

101 - Call ZA8-2922     201 - Call ZA8-3228

Special Instructions

1. The maximum speed for trains is 45 miles per hour between Norwood and Taylor; 35 miles per hour between Taylor and Paso ; 45 miles per hour between Paso and East Winona; 30 miles per hour between Plover and Stevens Point; 30 miles per hour between Scandinavia and Iola; 40 miles per hour between Haevers and West Wye Switch, Kewaunee.

All trains and engines will reduce speed to 20 miles per hour over the following railroad crossings:

CMStP&P Automatic Interlocker Crossing, Green Bay.

Soo Line Automatic Interlocker Crossing, Black Creek.

C&NW Automatic Interlocker Crossing, New London.

CMStP&P Gate Crossing, Dexterville.

C&NW Automatic Interlocker Crossing, Marshland (M.P. 209.3).

C&NW Interlocker Crossing, McDonald.

2. Rules Governing Operation Through Automatic Interlocking Plants consisting of Color Light Home Signals, Also Non-Operating Semaphore Distant Signals Fixed In The Approach Indication:

"Railroad crossings at grade protected by automatic interlocking home signals.

When a train is stopped by a home-signal of an automatic interlocking and there is no train on the conflicting route occupying the crossing, or approaching or leaving same, trainmen will go to the crossing and operate the equipment provided in accordance with the rules posted within the box locked by a standard switch lock, located at the crossing.

If the home-signals do not clear for the train desiring to cross, then the trainmen shall, before flagging over the crossing, first know that no trains are approaching upon the conflicting route, and that the home-signals on the conflicting route display the "stop" indication to trains thereon."

3. Rules Governing Operation Through Automatic Block Signals Between Garden Street, Green Bay and McDonald Siding:

"Eastward trains or engines, finding the block signal at Garden Street in "STOP" position, will stop and wait two minutes for the expected train or engine moving Westward. After interval of two minutes, if the expected train or engine has not arrived, the Eastward train or engine may proceed, at restricted speed and preceded by a flagman, through the circuit.

Westward trains or engines, finding the signal located at the West end of McDonald Siding in "STOP" position, will stop clear of the turnout of McDonald Siding, wait two minutes for the expected train or engine moving Eastward, and, if after interval of two minutes, the expected train or engine has not arrived, the Westward train or engine my proceed, at restricted speed and preceded by a flagman, through the circuit.

Trains or engines occupying the spur track into the West Side Fuel and Lumber Co., located five hundred feet east of Garden Street, and closing the main track switch while occupying this track, must observe the clear indicator located at the switch before re-entering the main track.

When the arm of the indicator is at a forty-five degree angle upward, it indicates that the block circuit is clear. When the arm of indicator is horizontal, it indicates that the block circuit is occupied and that main track is not to be occupied until clear.

If the expected train does not arrive, or the indicator indicates clear at the expiration of two minutes, the train or engine may proceed, at restricted speed and preceded by a flagman.

Should either signal be found at "STOP" position, and after negotiating the circuit, under flag protection, it is discovered that there is no train, engine, or other obstruction in the circuit, report will then be made to Train Dispatcher by telephone that the block signals at the given location are out of order."

4. Rules Governing Operation Through Signals Controlling Movements on the Fox River Bridge:

Signal governing movement of Eastward trains is located one hundred feet West of West approach to bridge.

Signal governing movement of Westward trains is located one hundred feet east of East approach to bridge.

Train or engines receiving YELLOW indication on approaching the bridge may proceed without stopping.

Train or engines receiving the RED indication on approaching the bridge will come to a stop short of the signal.

In cases where lights fail in color light signals, train and enginemen will be governed by the most restrictive indication that is given by the signal, which would be STOP, and be governed as follows:

If the signal is not cleared promptly, and the bridge is seen to be closed for rail operation, train or engines may proceed on hand signal from the Bridge Tender, after determining the reason for the signals not operating, and that bridge lift rails are in proper position and the bridge locked for rail operations.

Report of the failure to receive proper signal, and the operation under flag protection from Bridge Tender must be given the train dispatcher promptly.

A WHITE FLAG BY DAY, and YELLOW LANTERN BY NIGHT, will be used by the bridge tender in flagging train or engine over bridge in case of signal failure.

Train and engines will not exceed 20 miles per hour over Fox River Bridge.

5. Rules governing Operation Through Automatic Block Signals, Wisconsin Rapids Terminal:

LOCATION: An approach Signal No. 92-9 for Westward trains is located just East of the East switch of the Coyne Passing Track. Indication YELLOW for "Clear," RED for "Stop." This signal protects the East switch, as well as, movements up to Signal No. 93-9, located just East of the Biron switch. Signal No. 93-9 has a RED marker. The indication for this signal is YELLOW over RED for "clear," and RED over RED for "Stop."

The Eastward Signal No. 94-8 in the Yard is located about midway between the Preway Switch and the North track switch. Signal No. 94-8 has a RED marker. The indication for this signal is YELLOW over RED for "clear," and RED over RED for "Stop."

OPERATION: A train entering the circuit at Signal No. 92-9 when clear, will set Signal No. 94-8 at STOP, and when Signal No. 94-8 has changed to STOP, Signal No. 93-9 will change to GREEN, indicating clear track into the yard. Note: The Yellow indication of Signal No. 94-8 will be changed to Green as soon as the roundels are received from the factory; as for Signal No. 92-9.

A train entering the circuit Eastward at Signal No. 94-8 will set Signal No. 93-9 at STOP, RED over RED, and Signal No. 92-9 at RED, and will hold Signal No. 94-8 at STOP, RED over RED, until train clears circuit at Signal No. 92-9.

If switch at East end of Coyne is open, or not properly lined, Signal No. 92-9 will show RED. Likewise; should there be any broken rails, Signal No. 92-9 will show RED. The entire main line is controlled by track circuits between Signal 92-9 and Signal 94-8.

A dwarf color light signal, two indication, is located at the fouling point of the North track and the Main Line for Eastward moves from the North track to the Main Line. Normal indication; RED. A switch indicator is located by the switch stand for the North track. Also, a switch circuit controller connected to the switch.

In the operation of the dwarf signal, engines or trains stop at the dwarf signal, trainmen go to switch and observe position of indicator arm (45 degrees for "clear," and horizontal position for circuit not being clear). When clear, trainmen line the switch and then the switch circuit controller and the indicator RED on the dwarf signal goes out and GREEN on the dwarf signal comes on only after the Main Line signals have changed to STOP indication.

The operations for the indicator and dwarf signal at Biron switch is the same as for the North track switch. In any case, a train in the circuit between Signal No. 92-9 and Signal No. 94-8 will set both indicators at STOP and should either switch be lined by mistake, it will be impossible to get a GREEN indication on either dwarf signal.

These dwarf signals can be used as they are for movement from the no. 3 track to North track to Main Line, and the Coyne track to Biron Spur to Main Line.

RULES TO COVER THIS INSTALLATION:

RED alone — Stop, whistle and proceed prepared to stop, account open switches, broken rails, train in the block or other obstructions, etc. or as the rule may read in the standard book of rules.

YELLOW alone — "Clear" proceed at restricted speed to next signal.

RED over RED — "Stop" and proceed only under flag protection.

GREEN over RED — "Clear." Proceed.

YELLOW over RED — "Clear." Proceed.

6. Engines without trailer trucks backing up will not exceed a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour. Engines with trailer trucks backing up will not exceed a maximum speed of 30 miles per hour.

Engines must not run over Track Scales or over Tracks inside Coal Sheds.

Class 'D" Engines will not exceed 10 miles per hour crossing Wisconsin River Bridge, Wisconsin Rapids.

7. All trains report for orders before leaving Norwood, Wisconsin Rapids, Winona, Kewaunee Ferry Yard.
    
8. Register Stations are maintained at Norwood, Wisconsin Rapids, Winona Roundhouse, and Kewaunee Ferry Yard.
    
9. Standard Clocks are located in the Norwood Dispatcher's Office, Norwood Roundhouse and in the following telegraph offices:
   Wisconsin Rapids.
   Merrillan.
    
10. Bulletin and Circular Books are maintained at Norwood Dispatcher's Office, Norwood Roundhouse; Wisconsin Rapids; Winona Roundhouse.
     
11. Between East Winona and Winona, 2.0 miles, the track will be used by CB&Q, GB&W, and CGW trains and engines at restricted speed as the way is seen to be clear. Trains carrying passengers must be protected by Rule 99.

Movements over Mississippi River Draw Bridge are governed by automatic signals.

All trains shall come to a stop at Mississippi River Bridge at Winona and proceed only on signal from Bridge Tender. Trains and engines must not exceed 15 miles per hour.

GB&W Class "D" engines must not exceed 6 miles per hour over Mississippi River Bridge, and must not doublehead over the bridge.

Trains and engines must stop before crossing Walnut and Franklin Streets, Winona, and protect movement over the crossings.

12. The following stations are protected by yard limit boards: Seymour, New London, Scandanavia, Plover, Wisconsin Rapids, including Coyne, City Point, Merrillan, Whitehall, Casco Junction, and Kewaunee, including Kewaunee Ferry Yard.
     
13. Train Nos. 5, 6, 7 and 8 will handle passengers.
     
14. East Switch of New Wye at Norwood may be left lined as last used.