I should have put in my previous post, for details and some pictures, at least one that I recall for certain, on the St Paul using this on the Pacific Extension see "The Milwaukee Road's Western Extension: The Building of a Transcontinental Railroad" by Stan Johnson (Museum of North Idaho, 2007) a very interesting book covering not just the construction but the decision making process(to build or not?), surveys, and post construction improvements up to about 1920 or so.

His earlier book (MoNI, 2001) about a trip on the CMSTP&P Olympian (NOT Hiawatha, ca 1940) is a great read too. His step-dad was a CMSTP&P conductor out of Spokane, Washington. (Where it does not rain a lot, btw). Even earlier he wrote a book about his memories of the CMStP&P, his step-dad, trips he used to take with him on duty and so on(Milwaukee Road Revisted, University of Idaho Press 1997). All good reads with interesting details about the folks who worked the line and their families. If you've any liking for the Milwaukee at all (I grew up a few miles from the Milwaukee main to Omaha, then wound up living near the main to Seattle)(both gone since 1981, a terrible mistake, IMNSHO) you'll like 'em. And maybe even if you don't.

Hank