Reply to logsNtrains
Of the books that I own, the one I find most useful and find myself referring back to again and again is Minnesota Logging Railroads by Frank A. King (Golden West Books, c.1981, ISBN 0-87095-076-2). Very little was published in railroad books about Wisconsin logging specifically. King was an official with the DM&IR, so he had access to a ton of information, as well as intimate firsthand knowledge of the subject. I expect there are a batch of county historical societies that have put out useful local histories that HAVE to include logging, but I've never found a comprehensive list gathered up together.
The only other widely circulated book that I am aware of is Koch's Steam and Thunder in the Timber , which a friend once loaned me. Unfortunately, it is regarded as a classic and is very expensive these days. It contains a chapter on the Lakes States (Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota). This is where mechanized logging got its real start, courtesy of Shay (MI), Weyerhaeuser (he started out in the logging business in WI), and Edward Hines (also got his start in WI).
If you are aware of any other good books on the subject of logging in this part of the country, please let me know. All the best in your efforts to fill that basement! --Stu--