| IAIS Engine 705 and NS 9019, parked under Fleur Ave bridge, downtown Des Moines IA; interesting partners in Des Moines railroading history. N&W acquired the Des Moines Union Railway, a formerly extensive and winding presence through downtown Des Moines, by first purchasing the entire Wabash outright, and then purchasing the Milwaukee Road portion of DSM tracks as that line went off to the SOO. Thus, upon the merger of N&W and SR, NS became owner of the extensive DMUR tracks winding throughout the city, and the large yard downtown. Similarly, IAIS bought up much of the CRI&P mainline through the state, and rehabbed a prominent track through the center of Des Moines - the CRI&P being the jewel of Des Moines rail. Now, some 35 years after the collapse of the great RI, and 30 years after the DMUR ceased, these two dogs are still running together; one big pup, the other small, but both quite busy. |