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State Historical Society of Iowa

Chronology of Iowa Railroad Abandonment Map, July 1, 2016

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The map of Iowa shows abandonments of railroad track lines chronologically in the state as of July 1, 2016.
Courtesy of the Iowa Department of Transportation, 1 July 2016

Description 

The map of Iowa shows abandonments of railroad track lines chronologically in the state as of July 1, 2016. An abandoned railroad is a railway line which is no longer used for its intended purpose. Such lines may be disused railways, closed railways, former railway lines, even derelict railway lines. Some have had all their track and sleepers removed, and others have material remaining from the former use.

Source-Dependent Questions

  • In which range of years were the most track miles abandoned?
  • How has the changes in transportation systems in the United States, specifically the development of trucking over interstate highways, impacted the railroad industry?
  • Predict how changes in transportation methods benefited the consumer. The producer? Who would be negatively impacted by these changes?

Citation Information 

Courtesy of Iowa Department of Transportation, 1 July 2016.