The Milwaukee Road introduced the Chippewa on May 28, 1937,[1][2] after an inspection tour of the new rolling stock for residents along the route.

[3][4][5] The new train featured streamlined coach equipment and a 6-hour running time,[6] two hours faster than previous services.

The northern terminus was extended twice: first to Channing on October 18, 1937[7] and then finally in March 1938 to Ontonagon, on the southern shore of Lake Superior.

[8][9][10][11] In the fall of 1948 the Milwaukee Road re-branded the train Chippewa-Hiawatha[12][13] and upgraded its equipment, including Beaver Tail parlor cars.

As part of a reshuffling of equipment on the Milwaukee Road in late 1948 the Chippewa received the "Beaver Tail" parlors made famous by the original Hiawatha.