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Ottumwa Branch line

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  • Member since
    November 2017
  • 78 posts
Ottumwa Branch line
Posted by CNW_4009 on Saturday, February 24, 2018 3:46 PM

 

I have seen a short segment of trackage off the Canadian Pacific near Ottumwa, Ia. A DOT map indicates that it was abandoned in the 1990's. It appears to have gone to an industrial area just north of town that included a Dr Pepper plant. What was this branch used for, and why was it abandoned?  Thank you for any information you can provide.

 

  • Member since
    November 2017
  • 78 posts
Posted by CNW_4009 on Monday, March 26, 2018 7:51 PM
I think this branch was part of Ottumwa Connnecting rr.
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Denver / La Junta
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Posted by mudchicken on Tuesday, March 27, 2018 3:19 PM

And you keep on thinking that.  More likely MILW, as that is what CP is in that area.

Suspect what you are looking at is the spur to the Airport and industrial park (originally NAS-Ottumwa, 1942-47) that no longer has any paying customers or carloading. City took over airport in 1947 when the Navy sent the airdales to Pensacola and left Iowa. Your initial description and assumption were pretty weak to work off of.Hmm.

 

Mudchicken Nothing is worth taking the risk of losing a life over. Come home tonight in the same condition that you left home this morning in. Safety begins with ME.... cinscocom-west

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