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In the Second 2009 Issue of North Western Lines...
Editor's Notes:
In this issue
Unintended Consequences, by Gene Lewis
The C&NW in Greater Des Moines -1973-9182 by Rob Leachman
Photo Section: Des Moines by Chris Keating
Peoria Gateway: Farmington Depot in 1920s by Dennis Holmes and Gene Green
Rapid City Trip: Chicago to Rapid City and Return by Bill Armstrong
Modeling C&NW SD-40-2 6832 by Kelly Duford
This issue takes up where the last issue left off with expanded Des Moines coverage in the more modern era. As the convention in Des Moines draws near, with train rides on two routes near Iowa’s capital city, details on C&NW’s various routes are covered. First up is a fascinating look at how the C&NW approached the possible routes to Kansas City from Des Moines by Gene Lewis, author of 12,000 Days on the North Western Line. Based entirely on engineering studies and the corporate mentality at the time, Gene’s article is packed with statistics, charts, and maps, and reveals some fascinating aspects of the eventual switch to the former Rock Island route, nicknamed the “Spine Line.”
Next up is a great look at the C&NW in the Des Moines era between 1973 and 1982 by Rob Leachman, who intentionally photographed the C&NW, capturing the freight F-unit era in dramatic fashion. Any of us with memories of that era can easily remember that classic chant of 567-powered F-units on long heavy trains. It didn’t take much of a grade to really get them talking. You won’t want to miss Rob’s presentation of this article at the convention in May.
Our Photo Section presents the C&NW in Des Moines, our regular M&StL column presents a look at depot activities by an agent in a depot not far from Peoria, and we have a travel-log that has observations during a trip from Chicago to Rapid City and back. Rounding it out is an excellent how-to modeling article on producing SD40-2 6832 in HO scale, which includes plenty of very good tips for even the experienced modeler. Our regular CGW column will be back next issue.
Hopefully this lineup will inspire you to attend the upcoming convention in Des Moines, which is looking to be one of the finest ever. Two train rides and a top-notch lineup of presenters will make the trip to central Iowa well worthwhile. I hope to see you there.
—Kevin EuDaly, Editor
North Western Lines
