Midland Branch Abandoned

SHIELDS, SHIRLEY, HILL, BELSON, WOCKENFUSS, BICE

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 7/3/2009 at 10:31:23

Maquoketa Community-Press, May 4, 1950.

MIDLAND BRANCH ABANDONED

Clinton-
As far as official records of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad are concerned, the 80 year old Midland Branch Line between Clinton and Anamosa is “dead.” The final run of a 20 car freight was made last Thursday, departure hour from Anamosa being 1:00 p.m. Stations between there and Clinton were officially closed, records removed and various equipment picked up along the line. Trainmen bid the final adieus to the many friends they had made during runs in recent years.

But in the minds of many Jackson, Clinton and Jones county folk the Midland will never die-it will always remain as another colorful phase of local folklore, comparable perhaps to that of the famous “Calico Railroad.” Unlike in the case of the latter however, the operators of the Midland were never forced to pay off their employees in “calico” yard goods. But economic conditions were directly responsible for the Midland’s demise. The North Western was given permission to abandon the 68 mile branch after a number of hearings during which it was argued that business volume no longer warranted the line’s operation.

Thursday’s final run was in sharp contrast with one made Nov. 2, 1946, when service was again resumed after a lapse of 28 months. At that time a special car was loaded with a jovial crowd of citizens from communities served by the Midland. One bystander was so impressed by the good-will in evidence that he inquired if it were a special train to a football game. In sharp contrast, as mentioned a moment ago, there was no special car loaded with Iowans on Thursday of last week. There were no cheering throngs at the various stops. In fact, there was only one passenger.

In 1870, when the Midland began operations, it served pioneer communities, connected at best with rutty wagon tracks. For more than half a century, the farms, villages and towns along the Midland right-of-way depended on the steel rails for their contact with literally the rest of the world. Following World War I, development of the automotive service and the building of county roads and highways brought more opportunity for personal improvement. Competition cut into railroad revenues. A washout as the result of a flood in 1944, coupled with acute war shortages and curtailments, forced suspensions of Midland rail service until 1946. Such a combination of adverse factors impelled the railroad to request permission from the Interstate Commerce Commission to discontinue operations. Permission was granted in March, 1950. It was too much to report that tears were shed, but amongst those who knew and cared for the Midland, her last trip was an occasion of memories and inward sorrow. Old-timers who had ridden on her and shipped with her knew that they were losing an old acquaintance. Company employees were administering last rites to a member of the family. No one felt quite sure that progress was being fairly represented.

Preparations to terminate service of the Midland began in Anamosa at 6:45 p.m. Thursday. The North Western half of the old depot, which was shared with the Milwaukee witnessed its final burst of activity. Office equipment and records were loaded into waiting box cars. H. J. Hill, Tama, the company’s travelling auditor for the district, closed the station accounts and made final reports. G. A. Belson, of Clinton, company storekeeper, made an inventory of the company property and files and recorded the car numbers. Along the tracks, E. F. Wockenfuss, trainmaster, and M. Bice, conductor, discussed the spotting of cars for their final placings. Bridge and building crewmen, as well as section hands, were busy loading track sections, ties, spikes, tools, and such like.

Chilly winds bit into unprotected faces and through warm clothing whenever a lull in the work occurred. Overcast skies cast a curtain of gloom over the activities. Up in the cab the engineer and the fireman were grateful for the warmth of the firebox. Came 1:00 p.m. and the loading had been finished. Most of the men had grabbed a hasty bite in a café nearby. Engineer F. Verfaille backed the line of cars in front of the depot. In the middle of the train was an old Drovers’ Special, a passenger car attached to stock trains for accommodation of shippers accompanying their stock to market. Box cars and a few flat cars comprised the rest of the 20-car freight.

Up front, the engine a veteran R-1 model commissioned in September, 1903, with four wheels forward on the pony truck and six drivers noisily made preparations for the 68 mile trek. A total of 22 men made the final journey. There were five train crewmen; J. Shields, foreman of the bridge and building crew, had six with him; there was one passenger; M. Shirley, section foreman had four men; and three supervisors. At 1:15 p.m. Thursday, April 27, 1950, the Midland’s whistle echoed over Anamosa for the last time.

W.D.McCausland