"Rocket" and made only a few stops between Des Moines and Minneapolis. Because of it's speed and comfort advertising posters stated "This is the only way to travel." The first train had only three cars, but now some of them consist of 8 or 9 (part of them are baggage cars). Before long the sound of the steam whistle disappeared—and diesels were put on all freight trains too.
One of the worst snowstorms to hit the area since the Armistice Day blizzard of 1940 spread over Story County Jan. 30, 1947, leaving an 8-inch snowfall piled up in seven and eight foot drifts.
A Rock Island snow plow clearing the way for passenger train No. 15 going south—was derailed 2 miles south of McCallsburg. Train No. 18 was held up in Nevada and another in Burg until a wrecker came from Kansas City to retrack the plow. Passengers were transferred to the Northwestern on an indirect route. Several report excitement was great in the community and men and boys walked through the snow to see what had happened.
Because business changed depots were torn down along this line — but McCallsburg was lucky enough to get a new Rock Island one built and an agent hired to take care of local business. Although this one is a much smaller type than the old one — it is convenient and serves the purpose adequately. John Sandmeier has served as R.I.agent since Henry Christiansen retired in 1946, after 20 years of service here as agent and telegraph operator.
Passenger trains no longer stop here, and Rock Island trucks bring in freight to our community — but the Rock Island freight train is still very important in the shipment of grain from this good farming area.
