Coal -- The Newton -- A grand chimera -- An electric steam railway -- Receivership -- Well pollinated & highly oxygenated -- Stellar performer -- The motor car revolution -- The dirty Thirties -- Revival -- Bittersweet -- Valhalla -- Passenger & freight operations.
Summary:
"Meet the largest of the Iowa interurbans: The Fort Dodge, Des Moines and Southern Railroad. Like many of the state's interurbans, Fort Dodge was once a steam short line, built to standards that permitted impressively large cars and significant carload freight interchange with the steam railroads. This feisty line managed to survive a long time in spite of competition from heavy steam railroad and highways. Passenger service lasted until 1955, and the dieselized remnant was acquired by the Chicago & North Western in 1968. This title from noted railroad author Don Hofsommer takes you to the Iowa known as "The Land of the Steam Road Trolleys." Hofsommer chronicles the history of this long-lived interurban and masterfully captures the spirit of the times in which it operated."
Series:
Bulletin ... of the Central Electric Railfans' Association, 0069-1623 ; 149
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.