This new route used a direct path between Albert Lea and St. Paul, and paralleled a nearby Milwaukee Road route.
In June of 1903, the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad purchased the BCRN. The Rock Island utilized this route as a main line to connect to the Twin Cities.
Unfortunately for the Rock Island, it was never able to lure customers in the Saint Paul area to its facilities. As a result, it became more of a bridge railroad, connecting towns.
With a steady decline in company finances through the decades before, the Rock Island Railroad filed for bankruptcy in 1980. All Rock Island properties were shut down, and most salvaged.
This route became a contested route connecting the Twin Cities with Des Moines and Kansas City. In 1983, the Chicago & North Western Railway won the rights to the entire right of way between Kansas City and St. Paul. Rehabilitation work started soon after.
Extensive rebuilding of the line was necessary, as the Rock Island had not been maintaining properties for some years prior. This route required less extensive work than others, but still required a great deal of work to make operational.
In 1996, the C&NW was purchased by Union Pacific Railroad. Union Pacific currently owns this route, and it is known as the Albert Lea Subdivision. It continues to connect St. Paul and Kansas City.
06/26/21
This large through girder bridge crosses over a former Milwaukee Road mainline just north of Owatonna, or near the ghost town of Clinton Falls.
Originally built in 1901, the bridge is located on a large sweeping curve. This large curve is a portion of track where the Union Pacific crosses both this railroad and the Straight River.
When constructed, the bridge consisted of a main through girder span and a deck girder approach on either side. The entire bridge rests on stone substructures.
For reasons unknown, the north approach has been replaced with an I-Beam span. Judging by other damage to the structure, it is possible a derailment destroyed the previous span.
In addition to replacing the approach span, portions of the north pier and north abutment were also replaced with concrete, further indicating derailment.
Overall, the bridge remains in good condition. Some minor damage to the through girder bridge is prevalent.
Currently, the railroad below is abandoned. Since being a part of the Milwaukee Road, it has also went through the name I&M Rail Link; Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern and Canadian Pacific.
The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview. The bridge can only safely be accessed in the fall or spring, before heavy overgrowth becomes prevalent.