| A heavily powered CN local services ERCO Worldwide, 101 Hwy. 73 S., Nekoosa, WI (physically located in Port Edwards, WI) via former SOO rails at Nekoosa, WI, on 4 Jul. '17. The ERCO Worldwide facility partially visible in the background was built by Wyandotte Chemical, construction began in the spring of 1966 and it became operational in '67. Purchased by BASF in '69 or '70, it was known as BASF Wyandotte. Purchased in '80 by Vulcan Materials Co. for their Chemical Division (their Chem. Div. was named Vulcan Chemicals in '81). Occidental Chemical purchased Vulcan Chemicals from Vulcan Materials in '05. An FTC-imposed condition on the sale allowed Occidental to acquire Vulcan’s facilities at Geismar, LA, and Wichita, KS, but they were required to immediately sell the Port Edwards facility, which was purchased by Canada-based ERCO Worldwide. The facility currently produces chemicals for use by pulp/paper, food processing, agriculture, electronic, de-icing, petroleum and water treatment facilities. The tank cars at left rest upon the SOO branch from Wisconsin Rapids to Nekoosa, the locomotives and the remainder of the train are crossing over to the former C&NW branch between the two cities. There are remnants of MILW and Nekoosa-Edwards Paper Co. rails still in use in the vicinity as well, the four railroads ran side-by-side between Port Edwards and Nekoosa. |