Helpers on Byron Hill Yes, Wisconsin had a helper district. In Soo Line days, trains southbound (and sometimes northbound too) had to contend with Byron Hill, and frequently used helpers. Here, a southbound Soo Line train has a pair of helpers shoving on the rear, consisting of Milwaukee Road GP40 No. 2000 and Soo Line (Lake States) SD39 No. 6241, on March 22, 1987.