Uploaded September 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Incorporated on February 16th, 1906, the Fort Dodge, Des Moines & Southern Railway grew to become the longest interurban in Iowa. Its 85-mile long mainline from Des Moines to Fort Dodge ran through many farming communities and cities in central Iowa and was an important passenger route. Including its many branch lines this railroad operated 147 miles of electrified trackage. In this presentation, the Late George Niles captures this fascinating railroad from the years 1950 to 1955.
Take yourself back to a time period when this great electric interurban railroad ran several passenger car trains and freights. Not only will you see steeple-cab locomotives and interurban cars, George’s film camera records other railroads this line encountered including the Rock Island and Chicago and North Western. You are also treated to the Fort Dodge Line trains crossing the High Bridge north of Boone and the Des Moines River bridges by the YMCA camp and south of Fort Dodge.
As a bonus, we also share with you George’s footage of other railroad action in and around Iowa including the Burlington, Rock Island and a charter with Chicago and North Western Steam locomotive #1353!
If you are an interurban fan, you will be sure to enjoy this fascinating historic footage of the Fort Dodge, Des Moines and Southern!
Incorporated on February 16th, 1906, the Fort Dodge, Des Moines & Southern Railway grew to become the longest interurban in Iowa. Its 85-mile long mainline from Des Moines to Fort Dodge ran through many farming communities and cities in central Iowa and was an important passenger route. Including its many branch lines this railroad operated 147 miles of electrified trackage. In this presentation, the Late George Niles captures this fascinating railroad from the years 1950 to 1955.
Take yourself back to a time period when this great electric interurban railroad ran several passenger car trains and freights. Not only will you see steeple-cab locomotives and interurban cars, George’s film camera records other railroads this line encountered including the Rock Island and Chicago and North Western. You are also treated to the Fort Dodge Line trains crossing the High Bridge north of Boone and the Des Moines River bridges by the YMCA camp and south of Fort Dodge.
As a bonus, we also share with you George’s footage of other railroad action in and around Iowa including the Burlington, Rock Island and a charter with Chicago and North Western Steam locomotive #1353!
If you are an interurban fan, you will be sure to enjoy this fascinating historic footage of the Fort Dodge, Des Moines and Southern!
