Nostalgia & History > Wren, IA interlocking ... the subtle change

The interlocking @ Wren, IA shown is in these two Bruce Black shots on 5/28/73 (pic 1) and 9/3/74 (pic 2). Doesn't look like much changed in the intervening months ... but there is one subtle change: by the time he took the second shot 'RR history erosion' had started, the 'Wren' had left the nest!

Bruce labeled the first shot as 'Wren IA interlocking GN over IC/CStPMO' although by then the BN merger was already into it's 3rd year and to say nothing about the 'CStPMO' reference ... but then again BB retained a 'sense of history' in his labeling :-)

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Maybe in the second photo the office was closed or in the process of being closed and the last operator took the sign home with him. Google maps shows diamond and both lines still intact. https://www.google.com/maps/@42.64648,-96.2849658,706m/data=!3m1!1e3

Actually, these are important secondary lines on both the UP and BNSF. The UP, of course, was the
CNW/CMStP&O and they use it for general merchandise and coal, BNSF also hauls coal over their
route as well as general merchandise. End points for the UP are essentially Sioux City/Twin Cities
while BNSF's are Willmar, MN and Ashland, NE. At one time there was a CNW branch heading northwest
to a small community called Irquois just east of Huron, SD. You can still see some of that r-o-w
when you drive I90. I still remember the ruckus the abandonment made in South Dakota. In part,
the loss of this line got the state to establish their railroad commission. The bigger impetus,
of course, was the Milwaukee's massive downsizing in the 80's.

Just some FYI. Thanks for posting.

Nick Tharalson,
Marion, IA

I love scene shots like this! A real classic!

Just a quick question about the reference to "IC." Did the Illinois Central have trackage rights?

IC was the owner and CNW the tenant --- The tower was still active into the early 80's then it was automated. The depot/operator job in Le Mars lasted a bit longer, Both jobs were staffed by IC folks

Kind of an odd spot for a crossover of 2 railroads no? Why not the next town north which is Merrill, looks like a good spot on the south side of town before the lines diverge


Link to google maps at Merrill
https://goo.gl/maps/kNPZoYBBEsn



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/24/18 09:30 by Spoony81.

Spoony81 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Kind of an odd spot for a crossover of 2 railroads
> no? Why not the next town north which is Merrill,
> looks like a good spot on the south side of town
> before the lines diverge
>
>
> Link to google maps at Merrill
> https://goo.gl/maps/kNPZoYBBEsn


If you look carefully between US 75 and the BNSF a faint outline shows
there was another railroad in the green space. This was the CNW branch
to Iroquois South Dakota. It turned Northwest at Merrill,Iowa

The location of this line probably had something to do with the
crossover at Wren account another crossover would have been necessary
for the Iroquois line further north (railroad west).

There were three parallel tracks in this area. CNW/GN/IC+Omaha.
The Omaha joined the IC at LeMars, Iowa.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/24/18 13:45 by CP8888.

Talk about a retirement job!

TAW

CP8888 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Spoony81 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Kind of an odd spot for a crossover of 2
> railroads
> > no? Why not the next town north which is
> Merrill,
> > looks like a good spot on the south side of
> town
> > before the lines diverge
> >
> >
> > Link to google maps at Merrill
> > https://goo.gl/maps/kNPZoYBBEsn
>
>
> If you look carefully between US 75 and the BNSF
> a faint outline shows
> there was another railroad in the green space.
> This was the CNW branch
> to Iroquois South Dakota. It turned Northwest at
> Merrill,Iowa
>
> The location of this line probably had something
> to do with the
> crossover at Wren account another crossover
> would have been necessary
> for the Iroquois line further north (railroad
> west).
>
> There were three parallel tracks in this area.
> CNW/GN/IC+Omaha.
> The Omaha joined the IC at LeMars, Iowa.

Thanks !!

Posted from iPhone

A recent North Western Lines Magazine(CNWHS) had a nice article on Wren Tower.

MILW86A

Thanks for sharing. Is the color-light signal a home signal that is past the diamond rather than before it? I'm confused. I don't see a number plate, so assume its a home signal. Perhaps this has something to do with not being able to put it where it normally would be? It's also on the left side of the track. I'm sure there is a good reason, but I often have to chuckle at things like that, because if I did that on my model railroad, visitors might leave mumbling something unfavorable to each other.

Victor A. Baird
http://www.erstwhilepublications.com



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 05/25/18 18:14 by wabash2800.

wabash2800 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thanks for sharing. Is the color-light signal a
> home signal that is past the diamond rather than
> before it? I'm confused. I don't see a number
> plate, so assume its a home signal. Perhaps this
> has something to do with not being able to put it
> where it normally would be? It's also on the left
> side of the track. I'm sure there is a good
> reason, but I often have to chuckle at things like
> that, because if I did that on my model railroad,
> visitors might leave mumbling something
> unfavorable to each other.
>
> Victor A. Baird
> http://www.erstwhilepublications.com

It's the train order signal for the GN/BN. You can just see the home signals
for this route on the left edge of the photo.

Nick Tharalson,
Marion, IA

Thanks Nick. Now it makes sense.

Victor A. Baird
http://www.erstwhilepublications.com