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Although not a Wisconsin system, as one of the two last electric freight railways in America, the Iowa Traction
Railway (IATR) merits special consideration by all traction fans. It is the oldest and by far the busiest.
While the East Troy Electric Railroad handles a couple of carloads a year, and is now primarily a museum
operation, Iowa Traction is a common carrier freight line and handles several carloads every day.
A more detailed history of the line can be found at our Yahoo Group (twerhsgroup).
Iowa Traction began operation as the Mason City & Clear Lake Traction Co. The inaugural run was made on
July 3, 1897 and it opened to the public July 4th.
The line was built to connect Mason City with the resort town of Clear Lake, about ten miles to the west. The
shops were built at Emery, near the middle of the line.
The franchise to operate in the streets of Mason City expired Aug. 30, 1936 and the dwindling passenger service
was discontinued. However, there was enough business to keep the freight operation going.
July 1, 1961 the line was sold to Michigan investors and renamed, Iowa Terminal. During the 1960's and 1970's
there were attempts to make the line profitable. And for a time it was able sustain itself. But the 1980's brought a
general decline in shipping and revenue.
Following years of ups and downs, the line was offered for sale or abandonment. On April 13, 1987 a group of
local investors headed by David Johnson purchased the line. The name was changed to Iowa Traction (IATR),
which underscored their plan to remain an electric line.
Through the following years, they upgraded much of the line, repaired the equipment as needed and found new
business. Today, rather than being just another memory, the IATR is alive and well. It interchanges over 1,300
carloads a year with CP Rail, UP and I&MRL.
The fleet of old, but well maintained Baldwin locos are adequate for the job and are fascinating to watch as they
run back and forth with strings of hoppers and other freight cars.
There is additional, unused trackage around Mason City that once connected with other railroads. Various
abandonments and mergers made this trackage unnecessary, but it still remains intact.
Traction fans will find the operation most interesting. Although there is some new development along the line,
there are long stretches of open fields, where you can easily time warp back to the 1950's or 1960's. Because most
of the line runs alongside the road, there is no trouble taking photos or videos.
IATR personnel is generally co-operative with fans. But, remember, IATR is a not a museum. It is a working
railroad. Be courteous. Respect the equipment and observe safety precautions.
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Although dwarfed by modern hoppers, No.54, a classic
Baldwin steeplecab and its brothers have enough power to pull
a string of cars.
Limited to four or five full cars on a slight grade, they can
easily handle more on level track.
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Ex-CNS&M 727 rolls along the mainline on an annual
excursion for the Iowa Chapter NRHS.
Now owned by IATR, the 727 is undergoing restoration and
only operates for special occasions.
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Museums may close down for the winter, but a railroad must
continue operation despite cold and snow.
Loco 50 glides through a couple of inches of snow. If it gets
too deep, IATR has some rather adequate plows.
Photo courtesy of Tom Sharratt
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IOWA TRACTION ROSTER
Iowa Terminal and Iowa Traction equipment came from a variety of other lines.
Equipment in red is still in existance
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No.
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BUILT
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NOTES
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1
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1920's McGuire Cummins
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Single-truck linecar built as #105, Destroyed in 1967 fire.
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3
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1911 McGuire Cummins
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Single-truck sweeper. Sold to Midwest Central Museum 1973.
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30
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1915 McGuire Cummins
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Double-truck sweeper. Ex-Charles City Western. Sold to IRM 1970.
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31
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1922 Cinicinnati
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Merchandise Dispatch. Ex-CNS&M 216. Destroyed in 1967 fire.
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32
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1922 Cincinnati
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Merchadise Dispatch. Ex-CNS&M 239. Never used. Scrapped 1968
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33
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1924 Cincinnati
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Merchandise Dispatch. Ex-CNS&M 234. Stored until 1968.
Replaced number 31. Fitted with roof platform. Use as linecar.
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50 (1st)
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1929 Oklahoma Railway
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Steeplecab. Became MC&CL 50. Scrapped 1963.
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50 (2nd)
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1920 Baldwin
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Steeplecab. Ex-W&OD, CRANDIC, KC & KV
Was number 53 until first number 50 was scrapped.
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51
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1921 Baldwin
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Steeplecab. Ex-Oklahoma Northeastern, CRANDIC, KC&KV
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52
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1919 Baldwin
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Steeplecab. Ex- NO, CRANDIC, KC&KV, Destroyed 1967 fire.
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53 (1st)
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1920 Baldwin
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Steeplecab. Ex-W&OD, CRANDIC, KC&KV. Became 2nd number 50
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53 (2nd)
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1928 Texas Electric
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Home built centercab. Ex-CCW. Moved to Mason City 1968. Never used.
Now in storage.
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54
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1923 Baldwin
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Steeplecab. Ex-Southern Iowa Railway
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60
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1917 Baldwin
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Steeplecab. Ex-MC&CL number 52.
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61
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1913 Baldwin
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Steeplecab. Ex-MC&L number 53. Scrapped 1970.
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62
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1907 Baldwin
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Steeplecab. Ex-GP&H, GRR, CCW. To Mason City 1968. Scrapped 1973.
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70
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1904 Baldwin
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Steeplecab. Ex-P&B, GP&H, GRR, CCW. To Mason City 1968. Scrapped 1973.
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80
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1921 Preston
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Steeplecab. Ex-GRR. Scrapped 1973.
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81
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1921 Preston
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Steeplecab. Ex-LE&N Scrapped 1973.
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82
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1921 Preston
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Steeplecab. Ex-GRR. Never repainted or used. Scrapped 1970.
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100
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1914 McGuire Cummins
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Combine. Ex-WCG&N. Sold 1956 to NRHS. Ran at Centerville.
Came to Mason City 1966. Destroyed in 1967 fire.
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101
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1915 McGuire Cummins
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Combine. Ex-CCW number 50. Came to Mason City 1968.
Never used. Sold to Boone & Scenic Valley. Restored as CCW 50. Operational.
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102
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1926 Cincinnati
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Coach. Ex-CNS&M 727. Sold to NRHS 1963. Operated at Centerville.
Came to Mason City 1968. Now owned by Iowa Traction. Restored as CNS&M 727.
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