The Copper Range Railroad (reporting marks CR, COPR) was once a major railroad in the United States. It operated from 1899 to 1972 in the western part of the Upper Peninsula in the state of Michigan.

History

The Copper Range Railroad was formed in 1899 as a replacement for the Northern Michigan Railroad. The railroad was managed by the Copper Range Company, which was the second-largest copper producer in the Lake Superior area. The railroad line opened from Gay to McKeever, Michigan, in the same year.

By 1930, changes were needed. In 1944, the railroad added passenger service again (mixed trains had been offered earlier) with the Chippewa, which traveled between Houghton and McKeever. There, it connected with the Milwaukee Road’s Chippewa, offering daytime travel between the Keweenaw Peninsula and Chicago. This service was created during wartime and stopped in 1946.

From 1909 to 1945, some students traveled to and from Jeffers High School using a special train on the Copper Range Railroad.

The Copper Range Railroad stopped operating on October 27, 1972, and was taken apart soon after. Service to Houghton via the Soo Line’s former Duluth, South Shore & Atlantic branch lasted less than a decade longer. During its time, the railroad used 24 steam-powered and 3 diesel-powered locomotives.

Legacy

Copper Range #29 is being restored at the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom, Wisconsin. The museum also owns two former Copper Range Railroad Coaches, #60 and Copper Range combine #25.