Re: [CBQ] Industry Listing?

["Douglas Harding" <doug.harding@iowacentralrr.org>]

I would echo everything Bill said. I’ve heard rumors that Ted has zeroed in on a CBQ Industry Guide. Don’t know if he has it, but if he does he intends to make copies to sell. I have several: MSTL, RI, CNW, CGW, MILW which are great sources of information.

 

Sanborn maps for Iowa are available via Microfiche at the UofI and Iowa State libraries, and the State Historical Society buildings in both Iowa City and Des Moines. And they are found on line as pdfs via the State Library of Iowa. Check similar sources for other states. Some are open to anyone, others require you to be a resident, an alumni or have some other connection. I do have some for LaCross, attached shows the Allis Chalmers plant.

 

Other sources are City Directories for larger communities, sometimes found at local libraries. And telephone directories, again check local libraries or antique stores.

 

And don’t forget Conductor books, switch lists, train sheets, etc. Which may also give clues to industries or commodities being handled. Also photographs, it may be of a locomotive or train, but the background may have signs on buildings.

 

Railroad right o way maps sometimes show industries as they show the sidings and spurs. It may be an outline of a grain elevator or oil jobber. No name, but at least you know what was there. I don’t have any for CBQ, but do for MSTL, CNW, CGW, and some others.

 

Finally check out on line historical groups for towns, counties, state. Numerous photos can be found. And Genealogy sites are amazing, many times I have come across a photograph or an obit because someone’s grandpa worked at...

 

Doug  Harding

www.iowacentralrr.org

 

From: CBQ@groups.io [mailto:CBQ@groups.io] On Behalf Of William Hirt
Sent: Thursday, November 14, 2019 9:20 AM
To: CBQ@groups.io
Subject: Re: [CBQ] Industry Listing?

 

Don,

Most of those industries on the BRHS web site is what I compiled for the NMRA Operations SIG. You can check the Op Sig web site for updated industry information <http://www.opsig.org/reso/inddb/> .

It was discussed on this list a long time ago that it appears the last time any type industry guide was issued for the Q was in the late 1930's. One of Bulletins (I think the issue where Hol modeled all the billboard reefers) has a ad from the last thought guide for Dick's Quincy Beer.

Virtually any industry guide that one will see from a railroad will only list industries served at competitive points (meaning another railroad or more served the same town). The Milwaukee Road, Northwestern and Rock Island periodically issued industry guides. So the upshot is that industries that might be served by the Q would be listed at towns served by these railroads.

The problem for you is most of the guides of interest are 10 years too early or 10 -15 years after your modeling time of interest. Ted Schnepf's Rails Unlimited sells 20 different reprinted industrial guides. You can see/buy them here at <http://railsunlimited.ribbonrail.com/Books/shippers.html>. Ted has 1954 NP guide which lists the Twin Cities industries, who served them, and what their line of business was.

Another source of information is the Sanborn Fire Insurance maps. Your local library may have an electronic subscription to them. Or the main state university's library may have physical copies of the maps. For larger towns, the maps were updated into the 1950s and early 1960s. I just checked La Crosse proper and the maps are updated through 1949 and the whole map set was republished in 1954.

The Library of Congress has virtually a complete collection of Sanborn maps. They are gradually digitizing their entire collection of 25,000+ maps. Most of the maps currently available are pre-1920. This is a link to the Wisconsin map section they currently have posted online: <https://www.loc.gov/collections/sanborn-maps/?fa=location:wisconsin> .

You can also search online. There are people who have posted various industrial information online or sell guides on eBay. There is someone selling a 1957 CGW industry guide reprint on eBay right now. That would have industries in Winona.

Bill Hirt

On 11/13/2019 7:40 PM, Don Nymann wrote:

Hi Tristan - I have used that link on the BRHS website. It only lists a few in La Crosse, so I’m not sure it’s the most accurate.  I know way freights ran out of La Crosse, so I’m wondering what was there that had freight delivered to them via rail?  At this point, I’m looking for all the possible stops between Dubuque and St. Paul.

 

On Nov 13, 2019, at 6:41 PM, Tristan via Groups.Io <tristan556=aol.com@groups.io> wrote:



Don,

 

I would start with the industry list that is on the BRHS website.  http://www.burlingtonroute.org/Qrailroad/history/industries_served.php

 

Did you have specific areas that you were interested in or the entire division? 

 

Tristan

 

 

 

Sent from my U.S.Cellular© Smartphone

 

-------- Original message --------

From: Don Nymann <dnymann@outlook.com>

Date: 11/13/19 6:13 PM (GMT-06:00)

To: cbq@groups.io

Subject: [CBQ] Industry Listing?

 

Hello All,

I’m looking for info on industries along the La Crosse Division in the early 1950s, specifically what was there for way freights to service.  I have reviewed the NMRA Ops SIG industry database, but it only contains La Crosse. I have seen numerous pictures and references to way freights in Mike Spoor’s books, so I know they existed. I’m just having difficulty determining what types of businesses would have existed then.

Appreciate any info someone could point me to.

Cheers,
Don Nymann

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