Chicago, Anamosa & Northern Rwy.

[Anonymous]

I have a freight receipt at home from the "Chicago, Anamosa & Northern" Rwy.
and I have had no luck learning anything about that Iowa line. It's nickname
was "The Wapsie River Route" (and not the "The CAN"?). Could this have been
a predecessor to the MILW's Cedar Rapids-Calmar line?

[Anonymous]

I have a freight receipt at home from the "Chicago, Anamosa & Northern" Rwy.
and I have had no luck learning anything about that Iowa line. It's nickname
was "The Wapsie River Route" (and not the "The CAN"?). Could this have been
a predecessor to the MILW's Cedar Rapids-Calmar line?

[CShaveRR]

In Railroad Names, by the late William D. Edson, it lists the Chicago, Anamosa & Northern as being "sold" in 1916...nothing about to whom, or what became of it.

I also have the reprint of the June 1916 Official Guide...it's not in there.

[CShaveRR]

In Railroad Names, by the late William D. Edson, it lists the Chicago, Anamosa & Northern as being "sold" in 1916...nothing about to whom, or what became of it.

I also have the reprint of the June 1916 Official Guide...it's not in there.

[Nora]

Did a quick search and came up with a couple links with very very basic info, but it might be a starting point:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IowaRailfans/message/375
http://www.rootsweb.com/~iabuchan/hist_twp.htm (very brief mention about halfway down

Sounds like it's been gone a long, long time in any event.

--Nora

[Nora]

Did a quick search and came up with a couple links with very very basic info, but it might be a starting point:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/IowaRailfans/message/375
http://www.rootsweb.com/~iabuchan/hist_twp.htm (very brief mention about halfway down

Sounds like it's been gone a long, long time in any event.

--Nora

[Anonymous]

I have very little information on this railway and am interested in it as well. It used to run by my Great Grandfathers farm in Coggon, IA. My grandfather and father always referred to it as "the CAN" and this is the first I've seen or heard of the "Wapsie River Route," although I like the name. I obtained a detailed "sale sheet" (auction listing of sorts) from the University of Iowa library about 2 months ago that lists all of the equipment held by the line (track, bridges, wire, engine, rolling stock, etc). I believe I also have a two or three page narrative on the history of the railway. I can make copies of all of the above and mail or email it to those interested as long as you're willing to share what you know/have as well. I'm trying to model "the CAN" in HO and G Scale for my father and, eventually, for my son so I'm interested in anything I can get my hands on. If interested please email me at [e-mail].

Mike

[Anonymous]

I have very little information on this railway and am interested in it as well. It used to run by my Great Grandfathers farm in Coggon, IA. My grandfather and father always referred to it as "the CAN" and this is the first I've seen or heard of the "Wapsie River Route," although I like the name. I obtained a detailed "sale sheet" (auction listing of sorts) from the University of Iowa library about 2 months ago that lists all of the equipment held by the line (track, bridges, wire, engine, rolling stock, etc). I believe I also have a two or three page narrative on the history of the railway. I can make copies of all of the above and mail or email it to those interested as long as you're willing to share what you know/have as well. I'm trying to model "the CAN" in HO and G Scale for my father and, eventually, for my son so I'm interested in anything I can get my hands on. If interested please email me at [e-mail].

Mike

[dknelson]

A little internet search showed an entry for the University of Iowa's Albert N Harbert collection of railroad materials -- an undated property list for that railroad. Could be interesting and worth taking a look at.
Dave Nelson

[dknelson]

A little internet search showed an entry for the University of Iowa's Albert N Harbert collection of railroad materials -- an undated property list for that railroad. Could be interesting and worth taking a look at.
Dave Nelson

[Victrola1]

Local newspapers reported in Dec. 1916 that the Chicago Anamosa and Northern went through a chauncery sale. 

"CAN Road Rails to Be Shipped Across the Ocean."

"From the Iowa Farmlands to the Battlefields of Europe."

"Were Bought as Junk."

"New York, Dec. 21 - Bought as "junk" the Chicago Anamosa and Northern, otherwise known as the "Can," road has been resold and will be torn up, and with its rails and rolling stock shipped to England and relaid, according to its owner, Herman (illegible)."

Cedar Rapids Republican, Dec. 22, 1916, page 1. 

 

 

 

 

[KCSfan]

Anonymous

I have a freight receipt at home from the "Chicago, Anamosa & Northern" Rwy.
and I have had no luck learning anything about that Iowa line. It's nickname
was "The Wapsie River Route" (and not the "The CAN"?). Could this have been
a predecessor to the MILW's Cedar Rapids-Calmar line?

A 1910 OG shows the CA&N running 19 miles between Anamosa, IA where it connected with the Milw Road and the CNW and Coggon where it connected with the IC. At that time a morning and evening passenger train ran between both towns.

Mark

[mudchicken]

1890 USGS Farley 30 minute quad (surveyed by plane table & alidade in 1888) shows about 3 miles of line built to the NW from Anamosa towards Wanbeek up Buffalo Creek. (The more detailed 15 minute quad for Anamosa in 1890 shows nothing)

 

Will this double post like all the others?

[Victrola1]

A few artifacts remain. 

 

http://www.east-buc.k12.ia.us/Quas/Qhist/disp5.htm

 

No airline ever came true between Davenport and Waterloo. 

 

http://iowajones.org/history/Anamosa1907.htm

 

Take the interurban from Anamosa to Waterloo did not go through. 

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/photolibrarian/7876103706/

 

Alas, Quasqueton. Only briefly did its rail connection run. 

 

http://history.rays-place.com/ia/buc-liberty.htm

[Deggesty]

mudchicken

1890 USGS Farley 30 minute quad (surveyed by plane table & alidade in 1888) shows about 3 miles of line built to the NW from Anamosa towards Wanbeek up Buffalo Creek. (The more detailed 15 minute quad for Anamosa in 1890 shows nothing)

 

Will this double post like all the others?

 

"Will this double post...?" No, you do not have that skill.

I have a book,  Railroad names, by William D. Edson, published by him in 1982, which mntions the road. The only information , other than the name, is "Active 1/05-1916  (Sold)."

[dknelson]

And the Original Poster is, I assume from the fact that his name is now "Anonymous," is long since gone from the Forums.  Or perhaps has a different screen name? 

Dave Nelson

 

[cranken]

The Chicago, Anamosa and Northern Railroad, generally known as the CAN Road, thirty-five miles long, was sold at  auction in Dubuque, last Tuesday. The purchasers were George B. Caldwell and L.E. Meyers, of Chicago, who obtained a judgement against the road. They paid for it the sum of $252,030.09, and the sale not only included the track and rolling stock, but $600,000 of capital stock and $350,000 of bond issue. The road was originally financed by Peter Kiene & Son, and the investments thus made, contributed to the Kiene bankruptcy. Published in "The Monticello Express", January 22, 1914, page 9,  at Monticello, Iowa. Hope this helps! I believe the rolling stock ended up in France during WWI.

[519]

During 2022 a complete, thoroughly reseached history, The Wapsie Valley Route about the  Chicago, Anamosa & Northern Railway, better known as the CAN was published by the Quasqueton Area Historical Society, located in Quasqueton, Iowa. Books can be ordered for $25 plus shipping through FaceBook.

[samfp1943]

519

During 2022 a complete, thoroughly reseached history, The Wapsie Valley Route about the  Chicago, Anamosa & Northern Railway, better known as the CAN was published by the Quasqueton Area Historical Society, located in Quasqueton, Iowa. Books can be ordered for $25 plus shipping through FaceBook.

 

SpeaK OF THE 'Dead' rising.....

  The FLICKR photos are interesting,and include, the tale of the history  of the how and why of the Moffat Tunnel.... a finish, yet to  be written(?).....   

Did the "CAN' rwy. really make it to Europe, in pieces, or whole (?)  

Historical publications can be really interesting and full of unusual 'facts' .

 

[jeffhergert]

L E Meyers was the construction company that built the railroad. One of the Iowa railroad history books by Hoffsomer has a picture of construction work and the Meyers' name is on the equipment. 

Jeff

[samfp1943]

jeffhergert

L E Meyers was the construction company that built the railroad. One of the Iowa railroad history books by Hoffsomer has a picture of construction work and the Meyers' name is on the equipment. 

Jeff

 

As listed by Victrola1, and linked@

https://www.flickr.com/photos/photolibrarian/7876103706/

a photo of their construction loco, an 0-6-0  onthe job.