Fort Madison & North-Western Railway (36" ga.)

History

By Kendall H. Osier

    The Ft. Madison, Oskaloosa & Northwestern Railway Company was founded on July 17, 1871, by a group of mostly Lee County residents [1]. In 1872, the name was shortened to the Fort Madison & Northwestern Railway. Due to financial difficulties, FtM&NW had a rather stunted growth. By 1876, construction had yet to commence.

    Eventually, the Ft. Madison Construction Company, a firm led by most of the Directors of the original FtM&NW, began construction work [3]. Their first locomotive, a Baldwin 4-4-0, was ordered in February of 1879 for the Ft. Madison Construction Co., and by May of 1879, the Ohio Falls Car Works had delivered box and flat cars [2] [4]. By March of 1879, the piles for the road’s only bridge, which spanned Pitman Creek, were driven and capped. Upon completion of Pitman Bridge in late June of 1879, a special train to celebrate the opening of the line to West Point disembarked from Ft. Madison [5] [6].

    By April of 1882, the road had reached Birmingham, IA. This would be the western terminus of the railroad for about 3 years, when the railroad was extended to Collett Station, a mere 1/10th of a mile northwest of Birmingham. This is as far as the narrow gauge would ever build [7].

    In January of 1885, the railroad was placed into receivership on complaint of the railroad’s construction company. In 1889, the railroad was ordered to be sold by the court. After several failed sales, the railroad was successfully sold to Willard T. Block. Willard T. Block and his wife then conveyed the property to the newly formed Chicago, Ft. Madison & Des Moines Railway Company. Work to convert the railroad to standard gauge commenced immediately. The conversion was completed on September 10, 1891 [3].

Corporate Timeline

July 17, 1871 - Fort Madison, Oskaloosa & Northwestern Railway Company [1]

May 1, 1872 - Fort Madison & Northwestern Railway Company [1]

March 29, 1890 - Chicago, Fort Madison & Des Moines Railroad Company [1]

(Converted to standard gauge)

July 1, 1900 - CFM&DM leased for 25 years to CB&Q [1]

January 1, 1901 - CFM&DM conveyed to deed to CB&Q [1]

Equipment

• Engine No. 1; built by Baldwin in 1879; 4-4-0

• Engine No. 3; built by Porter in 1881; 2-4-0

• Engine No. 5; built by Porter  in 1882; 2-6-0

Maps & Timetables

References

[1] Documentary History By CB&QRR

[2] Baldwin Locomotive Works Specifications; Volume 9, Page 85 (DeGolyer Library, SMU)

[3] Corporate History of the CB&QRR & Affiliated Companies

[4] Fairfield Ledger; May 28, 1879; Page 3

[5] Fairfield Ledger; June 25, 1879; Page 3

[6] Fort Madison Daily Democrat; August 21, 1992; Page 1

[7] 1886 Poor’s Manual, Page 567

Updated April 7, 2025