The route served as a diagonal railroad in an area otherwise dominated by a gridline rail network.
Due to the success, the route would be expanded in 1903. Another 133 miles would be built towards Council Bluffs, Iowa.
By 1905, the route had attracted a railroad to merge with. The Chicago Great Western Railway purchased the line to access the Missouri River town of Council Bluffs.
The line served as the quickest way between Mason City and Council Bluffs. In Fort Dodge, a massive high bridge was constructed over the Des Moines River.
This landmark continues to exist.
In 1968, the Chicago & North Western Railway purchased the Chicago Great Western. Because Chicago & North Western already operated a considerable amount of trackage through the area, several abandonments began.
The first abandonment stretched between Council Bluffs and Harlan, and occurred in 1971. Another major abandonment occurred in 1977, between Carroll and Somers.
Between 1981 and 1983, the route was trimmed between Harlan and Carroll. More modern abandonments have occurred between Thornton and Belmond in 2000, Mason City to Thornton in 2005 and Somers to Roelyn in 2008.
Presently, a segment of track from Belmond to Roelyn exists. This route is known as the Fort Dodge Subdivision.
In addition, rail trails have been built along the line in Carroll County and are planned in Cerro Gordo County.
06/26/21
This deck girder bridge crosses an unknown creek near US-20.
Built in approximately 1950, the bridge features a single I-Beam, approached by trestle spans. The entire bridge is set onto timber substructures.
Bridges like these are common to cross small creeks that can become larger with flooding.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition.
The author has ranked the bridge as being minimally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview.