CPKC US-169 Bridge (Algona)

In 1864, the McGregor Western Railway (MW) charted a new line, which would extend across the northern portion of Iowa.  The first 28 miles were completed between Marquette, Iowa and Castalia, Iowa in 1864.  In 1865, an additional 15 miles were completed to Calmar, Iowa; where the line would continue north into Minnesota.  In 1867, the MW was conveyed to the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway (M&StP).  In 1869, the McGregor and Sioux City Railway (M&SC) completed an additional 64 miles to Nora Springs, Iowa.  At the end of 1869, the M&SC changed its name to the McGregor and Missouri River Railway (M&MR).  After completion, the line between Calmar and Nora Springs was conveyed to the M&StP.  In 1870, an additional 62 miles were constructed from Nora Springs to Algona, Iowa; and the line was conveyed to the M&StP at the end of the year.  In 1874, the M&StP was reorganized as the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway (Milwaukee Road).  In 1878, the Milwaukee Road completed another 98 miles between Algona and Hull, Iowa.  In 1879, an additional 28 miles were completed to Canton, South Dakota; completing the line across Iowa.  A short 9-mile connection was made between Rock Valley, Iowa and Hudson, South Dakota in 1880.  After completion of the line, the remaining assets of the M&MR were sold to the Milwaukee Road.  By the late 19th Century, the Milwaukee Road had developed a large railroad network throughout the Midwest.  This line served as a mainline, connecting the railroad network in Wisconsin to towns in Iowa, and serving as a basis for further westward expansion into South Dakota. 

The short Rock Valley to Hudson branch was abandoned in 1918, as it was considered excess.  The Milwaukee Road was often in financial trouble, especially after the costly Pacific Extension was completed in 1909. In 1925, the company declared bankruptcy, and reorganized as the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad in 1928.  Despite the financial strain, this line remained an important mainline for the Milwaukee Road.  Financial hardship continued through the 20th Century for the Milwaukee Road, and the railroad again filed for bankruptcy in 1977.  In 1980, the line west of Sheldon, Iowa was abandoned.  By 1985, a suitor for the Milwaukee Road was being sought, and the Soo Line Railroad, controlled by Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) purchased the Milwaukee Road in 1986.  In 1997, CP would sell this line to I&M Rail Link, which was purchased by the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad (DM&E) subsidiary Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad (IC&E) in 2002.  The DM&E/IC&E were purchased by Canadian Pacific in 2008.  CP merged with Kansas City Southern Railway in 2023 to form CPKC, the current owner of the line.  Today, CPKC operates the Mason City Subdivision between Marquette and Mason City and the Sheldon Subdivision between Mason City and Sheldon.  West of Sheldon, the line has been abandoned and largely has reverted to adjacent landowners.