Burlington, Cedar Rapids, and Minnesota Railway.
By James White
We are indebted to W. H. Pettibone, Ass’t Gen’l Sup’t, for time table, and facts relative to one of the most important roads in the State of Iowa. For a number of years, Iowa has had several railroads running east and west. But the traveling public, in going north and south, have had to patronize stages, or run to the Mississippi River, take steamer up or down, as the case might be, then go out into the State by rail. This excellent road obviates this unpleasant difficulty to a great extent. It did in our case very much, in making a trip from Washington Co. to Black Hawk Co., in June. We were gratified in observing that the employes on this road were very courteous, which is not always the case on the lines of young railroads. This road is open from Burlington to Cedar Falls, a distance of one hundred and sixty-two miles. They are now building from Cedar Falls to Mason City, a distance of sixty-three miles which they hope to have completed by September 15, which will give them a direct connection with St. Paul via Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway, making their line sixty miles shorter than any other line between St. Paul and St. Louis, and forty miles the shortest route between St. Paul and Chicago. The northern terminus of their line is not yet determined, but Mankato is settled upon to build to next year, which is a hundred and forty-four miles north-west from Mason City. Their principal connections are at Burlington, with C. B. & Q., Burlington & Missouri River, Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis, Burlington & Keokuk, and Burlington & South-western Railways. At Columbus, Junction with the South-western Branch of C. R. I. & P. Railway. At West Liberty, with Main Line C. R. I. & P. Railway. At Cedar Rapids, with Chicago & North-western and Dubuque & South-western Railways. At Waterloo, with Illinois Central Main Line and Minnesota Branch. At Cedar Falls, with Main Line Illinois Central. Their track is substantially constructed with white oak ties and the celebrated fish plate rail. Their engines, cars, and buildings, are all new, and embrace all the modern improvements. And the section of country their line runs through is really the garden of Iowa. Through trains leave Burlington at 8:25 A. M., and arrive at Cedar Falls at 4:55. Leave Cedar Falls at 4:00 A. M., and arrive at Burlington at 12:25 P. M.