ICG Sioux Falls branch abandonment

[gopherstate]

Anyone know what the official date of abandonment was of the Illinois Central Gulfs Cherokee Ia
to Sioux Falls SD branch was? The last date I have of a train running on this line is July 23, 1981, but I have
seen different dates and even years listed as the last run. Is there a good location on the net to look up
old abandonment dates? Thanks, Matt

[cnwfan51]

       If you can find it there is a book by Rick Mills called Railroading in the land of Infinite Varity about railroads in South Dakota    I have not seen it lately but that might hepl   Larry

[gopherstate]

Larry, I found a copy of Mr Mills book and it listed abandonment in 1980.  The last train I personnally saw on the line was on June 6, 1981.  I had a report of the last eastbound running on July 23, 1981 but did not witness it myself. I have seen different years given including one as early as 1977, that is why I would like to find out the official date.  I lived in the small town of Hills, MN until October 1980 so I was not around to witness the end.  Hills was one of only two stations on the line located in Minnesota.  The local elevator shipped corn out of Hills in 40' box cars and small covered hoppers until January 1980.   They did this even though they had no facilities on the siding.  They used a feed truck to auger the corn into the cars.  The line had two bridges that were limited to 70 ton cars, so no loaded jumbo covered hoppers west of George, IA.  The search continues!

[cnwfan51]

OK Then I remeember seeing seeing the right of way when I weas living in Gaeewtson S D thought the book would help you out   I dont know the web address of the I C RRs historical Assication either let me know what you find out   Larry

[jeffhergert]

I looked in the Trains issue that dealt with Iowa.  In that issue where they had the abandonments listed, Cherokee to the state line was listed as 1984.  Don Hofsommer's book, "Steel Trails of Hawkeyeland" has a final train movement listed as February 14, 1985. some loads of fertilizer to Calumet, Iowa.  The train took the cars up, about 15 or so miles from Cherokee, waited for them to be unloaded and took the empties back.

The reason for differences of last runs could be the last run out of Sioux Falls, the last run on the line etc.  Depends what one's parameters are.  Also the last run of a train and actual abandonment could be very different.  After the final run a line could be embargoed for a variety of reasons, track or bridge conditions etc, before abandonment is approved.

Jeff   

[gopherstate]

Jeff, thanks for the info. I'm surprised to see that some of the branch was operated after the South Dakota portion was pulled up.  What issue of Trains are you refering to?  I would like to find a copy for myself.  I also plan on getting a copy of Mr. Hofsommer's book.  I have some of his other books and find them full of useful information.  Matt

[jeffhergert]

Jeff, thanks for the info. I'm surprised to see that some of the branch was operated after the South Dakota portion was pulled up.  What issue of Trains are you refering to?  I would like to find a copy for myself.  I also plan on getting a copy of Mr. Hofsommer's book.  I have some of his other books and find them full of useful information.  Matt

The issue is the April, 1986 edition.  Hard to believe it's over 20 years old now. 

Jeff