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Sunset Cluster: A Shortline Railroad Saga
Discover the Sunset Cluster ― railroads that were doomed to fail?
The first two decades of the 20th century were the twilight of the Railroad Age. Major routes had long been established, and local service became the focus of new construction. Beginning in 1907, a cluster of five shortline railroads were established in otherwise unconnected parts of Iowa. They, however, would short lived.
The five Iowa 'sunset cluster' railroads might appear to deserve eternal obscurity, being at best minor footnotes to American railroad history. After all, their total mileage barely exceeded 100 miles. Their average life span, moreover, covered about five years, and the Des Moines & Red Oak Railway (DM&RO) never turned a wheel. Yet, these Iowa shortlines had an immediate positive impact to their service area, but disappointingly they became victims of modal competition and the Good Roads Movement.
Using contemporary newspapers, government reports, and other little-known sources, renowned railway historian H. Roger Grant offers a fascinating look at these shortline railroads. Sunset Cluster explores the almost desperate desire by communities to benefit from steel rails before the regional railroad map finally imploded and the challenges faced by latter-day shortline builders.
The first two decades of the 20th century were the twilight of the Railroad Age. Major routes had long been established, and local service became the focus of new construction. Beginning in 1907, a cluster of five shortline railroads were established in otherwise unconnected parts of Iowa. They, however, would short lived.
The five Iowa 'sunset cluster' railroads might appear to deserve eternal obscurity, being at best minor footnotes to American railroad history. After all, their total mileage barely exceeded 100 miles. Their average life span, moreover, covered about five years, and the Des Moines & Red Oak Railway (DM&RO) never turned a wheel. Yet, these Iowa shortlines had an immediate positive impact to their service area, but disappointingly they became victims of modal competition and the Good Roads Movement.
Using contemporary newspapers, government reports, and other little-known sources, renowned railway historian H. Roger Grant offers a fascinating look at these shortline railroads. Sunset Cluster explores the almost desperate desire by communities to benefit from steel rails before the regional railroad map finally imploded and the challenges faced by latter-day shortline builders.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published June 20, 2023
3 people want to read
About the author
H. Roger Grant
59 books4 followersH. Roger Grant (1943/1944 – November 17, 2023) was an American railroad historian and author.
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August 4, 2025
Interesting, filled with stories of failure!
This book is a study of the birth and quick demise of several short line railways in Iowa. It tells the history of short lines that served villages such as College Springs, Grant, Macksburg and Elkhorn in Iowa. This book is recommended for any railfan or rail historian interested in Iowa railroading.
This book is a study of the birth and quick demise of several short line railways in Iowa. It tells the history of short lines that served villages such as College Springs, Grant, Macksburg and Elkhorn in Iowa. This book is recommended for any railfan or rail historian interested in Iowa railroading.
Displaying 1 of 1 review