After surveys were completed in 1909, construction was free to begin. The idea of the railroad was that it would connect Winnipeg, Manitoba to Galveston, Texas.
Construction began later in 1909. The first segment was to run between Edgeley, North Dakota and Jamestown. At Edgeley, the railroad had a junction with the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad (Milwaukee Road).
The segment went north to Jamestown, where it had an interchange with the Northern Pacific Railway. The second segment continued north from Jamestown to Wimbledon, at an interchange with the Soo Line Railroad.
Construction on the first two segments was completed in 1912. However, funds for construction ran out soon after and construction ceased.
J. Bruce Ismay, chairman of the troubled former owner of The Titanic, White Star Line, pledged support of enough money to complete the entire railroad in 1914. However, he backed out not long after due to World War I, which spoiled the railroads dreams of becoming successful.
The Midland Continental Railroad continued operating as an independent railroad, controlling 77 miles of track. By 1966, the Northern Pacific Railway and Soo Line Railroad decided to purchase and share the trackage.
The Soo Line and Northern Pacific jointly abandoned the majority of the route in 1969. A sole spur from Jamestown to Kloze remained, owned fully by NP.
Northern Pacific merged with rival Great Northern and partner Chicago, Burlington & Quincy in 1970 to form Burlington Northern Railroad.
BN abandoned the route between southern Jamestown and Kloze in 1979. BN later became BNSF after a merger with Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe in 1996.
Today, BNSF continues to operate a short spur to the Jamestown State Hospital, the sole reminder of the little railroad that almost did.
07/17/21
This standard I-Beam and trestle bridge crosses 17th Street south of Jamestown. It is located near interchange #260 on I-94.
Built in 1980, the bridge consists of a single I-Beam span, and is approached by trestle spans on either side.
The entire bridge rests on wooden substructures. It is likely that the substructures have been renewed within the last 50 years.
Overall, the bridge remains in good condition.
The author has ranked this bridge as being minimally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge can be accessed from the road it crosses.