I am interested in the Des Moines and Minneapolis Railroad that was a narrow gauge line from Des Moines, Iowa to Callanan, Iowa. The intention was to continue the narrow gauge line to Minneapolis but the venture failed. How wide was the narrow gauge line that were typically laid in Iowa about 1878?

Thanks

-- Martin E. Nass (ednmarj@netins.net), July 22, 2000

Answers

According to Edson's Railroad Names, the Des Moines & Minneapolis operated from July of 1877 to October 1879. It was 3 foot gauge. I don't know the typical Iowa narrow gauge but 3 foot would be a safe guess. Few narrow gauge railroads were other than 3 foot. Hope this helps.

-- Jerry Dowling (jdowling@lcc.net), August 02, 2000.