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<p>In 1886, the Cedar Rapids, Iowa Falls & Northwestern Railway (CRIF&NW) constructed 42-mile branch line, extending from Ellsworth, Minnesota, through Rock Rapids, Iowa, to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. By 1888, the CRIF&NW was leased by the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railway (BCR&N), which operated a modest railroad network throughout eastern and northern Iowa. This line provided a growing BCR&N network with access to terminals and interchange at Sioux Falls. The CRIF&NW was outright purchased by the BCR&N in May 1902. The BCR&N was in turn purchased by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway (Rock Island) in June 1903. The Rock Island operated a large railroad network through the central United States, serving diverse industries.</p><p>The Rock Island struggled financially throughout much of its history, experiencing repeated bankruptcies and chronic instability. After World War II, the Rock Island struggled to survive, proposing mergers and deferring maintenance on their routes. The railroad reorganized as the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad in 1948. The segment between Rock Rapids and Sioux Falls would be abandoned in 1972. By the mid-1970s, the railroad was in serious decline. The railroad secured loans to eliminate slow orders, acquired new equipment, and attempted to restore profitability. In 1977, the remainder of the line was abandoned in an effort to eliminate poorly preforming branch lines. Today, much of the right-of-way has been converted to farm fields. However, sections in Rock Rapids and Sioux Falls have been converted to trail use.</p>
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