It meets the Neenah Subdivision to the north in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and runs south to Chicago, Illinois.

Marie Railroad (the original Soo Line) gained control in 1901 and leased the WC in 1902.

After the Soo Line acquired the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (Milwaukee Road) in the bankruptcy auction, the line, among others, was placed in the Lake States Transportation Division in an attempt to cut costs.

[4][5] Metra, Chicago's commuter rail service provider, also operates on this line as its North Central Service route (between Chicago Union Station and Franklin Park, Illinois, NCS trains use the Milwaukee District West Line, but do not stop at any of its stations, with the exception of the River Grove station).

Canadian National double-tracked that part of the line shortly after acquiring it.