At the same time, the Des Moines, Indianola and Missouri Railroad built a 21 mile route from Des Moines, to Indianola, Iowa.
This mainline connected critical towns in North Central Missouri, such as Trenton and Princeton. It also continued to Davenport, Iowa on the east.
By 1876, the DMI&M became a part of the Iowa Southern and Missouri Northern Railroad, becoming a part of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific in 1880. The C&SW followed suit in 1878.
While effective at transferring goods and customers from Eastern Iowa to St. Joseph, the railroad failed to connect Des Moines or Kansas City.
In 1911, the St. Paul and Kansas City Short Line Railroad made a connection from Carlisle, Iowa to Allerton, Iowa. This line would be completed by 1913.
While an independent railroad on paper, the Short Line was actually operated by the Rock Island. Another extension would be made in 1931, connecting to Kansas City from a junction point near Jamesport, Missouri.
Two uses of the Chicago, Milwaukee St. Paul & Pacific tracks were required; both from Polo to Lawson, and from Mosby to Kansas City.
The Short Line would be fully absorbed by 1948. The Rock Island operated this route as a critical mainline. Further extensions to the north fully connected Kansas City and Saint Paul with a direct route.
The Rock Island oftentimes had financial issues. By 1980, the deterioration and severity of these issues led to an abandonment.
The redeeming factor for the line was an interest by Chicago & North Western Railway, who wanted a more reliable route to Kansas City from Des Moines.
In June of 1983, the C&NW acquired the line and began reconstructing it to meet operational standards. By 1995, the C&NW became a part of the Union Pacific Railroad.
Presently, this route is operated as the Union Pacific Trenton Subdivision, and is a mainline between Kansas City and Iowa.
01/14/22
View an article regarding the construction of this route.
This small Warren Through Truss bridge crosses Shoal Creek near Kingston.
Built in 1931 when the Rock Island built this new line through the area, this truss is heavily built up.
This truss is one of the most built up in the area. It has riveted connections and a massive A-Frame portal. The bridge sits on concrete substructures.
Originally built with trestle approaches, it currently is approached by precast concrete spans. It is likely that the bridge was also rehabilitated at this time.
The author ranks this bridge as being moderately significant, due to the truss design.
The photo above is looking south across the bridge.