The line in Iowa was completed at a majority by 1885. The route crossed the Mississippi River from Savanna to Sabula, Iowa on a large swing bridge between the two towns.
The line quickly turned south, paralleled the Mississippi River through Clinton, Davenport and Muscatine. Then the line turned southwest, crossing the Cedar and Iowa rivers near Conesville before arriving in Washington, where it crossed a Rock Island line towards Des Moines.
From here, it continued southwest, crossing the Skunk River before arriving in Ottumwa, where it would cross the Des Moines River, and a pair of rail lines.
Continuing on the same southwest trajectory, the line would cross a Rock Island line near Moravia. The line became increasingly hilly and curvy as it approached the Missouri border near Sewal.
By 1887, the Milwaukee Road reached Kansas City; crossing through Missouri and such towns as Chillicothe.
The CM&StP became the Chicago, Milwaukee St. Paul & Pacific in 1912 with newly completed Pacific Extension. By 1931, the Rock Island Railroad requested trackage rights along this line between Polo and Lawson, Missouri; as well as from Mosby to Kansas City.
The 1887 Choteau Bridge over the Missouri River was replaced in 1945 by the present Harry S. Truman Bridge.
The line was considered a mainline, connecting to Kansas City to Davenport and Chicago. Few changes were ever seen on the line, although the major one was in 1981. The Milwaukee Road purchased the former Rock Island alignment between Muscatine and Washington and scrapped their own. The Rock Island had fallen the year before.
In 1985, the Milwaukee Road was purchased by Soo Line, who operated the line until 1997 when they sold it to I&M Rail Link. The line then changed hands again in 2002 when Iowa, Chicago & Eastern purchased it, and IC&E was purchased by Canadian Pacific along with Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern in 2008.
Canadian Pacific currently operates this line, although they have continued to explore potential buyers. The line still connects Chicago to Kansas City.
06/24/23
Located in Ottumwa, this large through truss bridge crosses the main channel of the Des Moines River to Turkey Island.
Built in 1911 to replace an older 1887 bridge, this structure features four 144 foot long riveted Warren Through Truss spans. These spans are approached by a trestle on the west end. The bridge rests on concrete substructures.
The previous bridge had three spans relocated to other locations. Two were reused at Eau Claire, Wisconsin, while another was relocated to Bridge #H-716
Currently, the bridge is the one of the largest structures along the Davenport-Kansas City line. A second bridge over the east channel of the river exists nearby.
The members on the bridge are massive and laced, while the portal bracing is an A-frame shape. Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition, and has little significant deterioration noted.
The author has rated the bridge as being moderately significant, due to the truss design.
The photo above is an overview. The photo below shows the portal bracing on the bridge.
| Upstream | BNSF Four Mile Bridge |
| Downstream | Wabash Bridge |
