Sunset Cluster : A Shortline Railroad Saga / H. Roger Grant.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Grant, H. Roger, 1943- author.

Series:

Railroads past and present.

Railroads Past and Present Series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Railroads--Iowa--History--20th century.

Railroads.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (239 pages)

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

Bloomington, Indiana : Indiana University Press, [2023]

Summary:

"Discover the Sunset Cluster-railroads that were doomed to fail? The first two decades of the 20th century were the twilight of the railroad age. Major routes had long been established, and local service became the focus of new construction. Beginning in 1907, a cluster of five shortline railroads were established in otherwise unconnected parts of Iowa. By the dawn of the Great Depression, all these routes would be discontinued. The five Iowa 'sunset cluster' railroads might appear to deserve eternal obscurity, being at best minor footnotes to American railroad history. After all, their total mileage barely exceeded 100 miles. Their average life span, moreover, covered about five years, and the Des Moines & Red Oak Railway (DM&RO) never turned a wheel. Yet, to understand the rise of the railroad empires of the 19th century, it is necessary to study their fall. Using contemporary newspapers, government reports, and other little-known sources, renowned railway historian H. Roger Grant offers a fascinating look at these shortline railroads. Sunset Cluster explores the almost desperate desire by communities to benefit from steel rails before the regional railroad map finally imploded and the challenges faced by latter-day shortline builders"-- Provided by publisher.

"Discover the Sunset Cluster-railroads that were doomed to fail? The first two decades of the 20th century were the twilight of the Railroad Age. Major routes had long been established, and local service became the focus of new construction. Beginning in 1907, a cluster of five shortline railroads were established in otherwise unconnected parts of Iowa. They, however, would short lived. The five Iowa 'sunset cluster' railroads might appear to deserve eternal obscurity, being at best minor footnotes to American railroad history. After all, their total mileage barely exceeded 100 miles. Their average life span, moreover, covered about five years, and the Des Moines & Red Oak Railway (DM&RO) never turned a wheel. Yet, these Iowa shortlines had an immediate positive impact to their service area, but disappointingly they became victims of modal competition and the Good Roads Movement.Using contemporary newspapers, government reports, and other little-known sources, renowned railway historian H. Roger Grant offers a fascinating look at these shortline railroads. Sunset Cluster explores the almost desperate desire by communities to benefit from steel rails before the regional railroad map finally imploded and the challenges faced by latter-day shortline builders"-- Provided by publisher.

Contents:

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

1. Sunset Years

2. Atlantic Northern & Southern Railway

3. Iowa & Southwestern Railway

4. Creston, Winterset & Des Moines Railroad

5. Iowa & Omaha Short Line Railway

6. Des Moines & Red Oak Railway

7. Epilogue

Notes

Index

About the Author

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Description based on print version record.

Includes index.

Other Format:

Print version: Grant, H. Roger Sunset Cluster

ISBN:

9780253066725

0253066727

9780253066732

0253066735

OCLC:

1376931983