In days gone by, Greene County residents could take a train almost any where. And they could ship their cattle and crops to markets throughout the Midwest.
Today, to paraphrase Elton John’s 2001 song, “The Train Don’t Stop Here Anymore” for passengers. Row crops still get a ride.
Retired Jefferson city administrator Mike Palmer will present a program about Greene County’s railroad history Sunday, Aug. 16, at 2 pm at the Historical Musem, 219 E. Lincoln Way in Jefferson.
At one time, four rail lines operated in the county, one east-west route, two north-south routes and a little known interurban that cut the northeast corner of the county as it ran between Des Moines and Fort Dodge. The M & St. L (Minneapolis & St. Louis) ran through Rippey, Grand Junction, Dana and Paton. The Milwaukee Road whistled through Jefferson, Farlin, Churdan and Adaza.
Today, the Union-Pacific (formerly the Chicago Northwestern) is the only line left, running through Scranton, Jefferson and Grand Junction moving freight, but no passengers.
Palmer, who’s been interested in trains since he was a boy and considers himself an amateur railroad historian, says he hopes the audience will share their train memories and experiences.
