Elma’s Railroad History

These photos are shared from the Elma history book, “Those Were the Days” which was printed in conjunction with the town’s Centennial in 1986. They show the rich railroad history from which the town was formed.

Railroad Club House in Elma

A black and white photograph shows a windmill tower and a two-story house side by side. The windmill has a circular rotating blade, and the house has a wraparound porch, gable roof, and several chimneys. The scene is framed with a white picket fence in the foreground.
A black-and-white photograph of the Old Roundhouse in Elma. The roundhouse is a semi-circular brick structure with arched openings and a flat-roofed building attached. Railroad tracks run in front of the building. Text at the bottom reads "OLD ROUND-HOUSE ELMA.

The Elma Railroad Club House was built in 1887 for the use of railroad employees away from home. It contained bathrooms, reading rooms and other home-like comforts. The unusual windmill-water tower sat just to the south and was 25 feet tall.

Engine on the turntable

Engine 23, an early Minnesota & Northwestern 4-4-0, poses on the turntable in Elma. Photo is from the 1890’s.

Building the viaduct, 1901

Railroad water tower

 

This water tower was built in 1905 for the railroad. It had a capacity of 1193 barrels of water. A pump house is next to it. The depot displays a stop signal for southbound trains.

Elma Railroad Depot & Yards

Black and white photograph of railway tracks leading to grain elevators and other buildings in a rural setting. Power lines run alongside the tracks, and trees can be seen in the background. The image has an overall vintage appearance.
A black and white image of a rectangular building near a railway track. Several mobile trailers and equipment are visible in front and to the side of the building. Utility poles and a small hut are visible in the background.
Black and white photograph of a train station platform in 1917 or 1918. The platform, labeled "Lemina," has tracks running through the center, flanked by various buildings, water towers, and rail cars. A small depot with a sign is visible on the right side.
Black and white photo of an old railway station with tracks running through the center. A group of people is gathered on the left, near the tracks. Buildings are present on both sides, with a signal post visible in the middle of the image.
A black and white photograph of an old train station labeled "Buda." The image shows a wooden building with a gabled roof situated alongside train tracks. Several people are standing near the building, and a few barrels and a telephone pole are visible nearby.
A historical black-and-white image of a railway station with several people standing on and around the tracks. The station building is on the right, and there are industrial structures and a water tower in the background. The scene captures an old-time railroad environment.
A black and white photograph of an old steam locomotive train at a railway station platform. The train emits steam as it stands on the tracks, with a few people visible in the distance on the right side near the platform. The scene evokes a historical era.
Black-and-white image of a vintage railway station. Several people stand on and near the tracks, facing the camera. To the right, there's a small wooden station building with a pointed roof. In the background are a water tower and another building.
A sepia-toned photograph of seven railroad workers standing on a railway track. They are holding tools and dressed in work attire, including hats and overalls. In the background, there are industrial buildings and additional railway tracks.
Black and white historical photo of a train station. Vintage train on left near the platform, people standing and sitting along the platform. Wooden station building to the right with a sign displaying "BROOK" above the entry.
A black-and-white photograph shows a group of people standing on a platform beside a stopped train at a small station. The platform is beside a track, and a small building is visible on the right side of the image.
Black and white photo of a small, modest train station next to a railway track. The station has a sign that reads "Elma" and features a signal pole, a water tank on a cart, and a few utility buildings. Trees and utility poles are visible in the background.
A black and white image of a small, rustic train station building. Snow is visible on the ground and the roof. The building has a rectangular shape with several windows and a sign displaying a logo on the side. Railroad tracks run in front of the station.

This is an 1907 postcard view of the Chicago Great Western depot & yards from the south. Loomis, Johnson & Lee Grain Elevator is on the left. The wooden platform and stairs on the right lead down to Busti Avenue.

1900’s train derailment

Black and white photograph depicting a derailed steam locomotive and its scattered remains next to a creek. Several workers can be seen amidst the debris, with a wooden channel diverting the creek and a pump draining water. The number "219" is visible on the locomotive.
Black and white photo of a damaged Chicago Great Western Railway boxcar with several men inspecting the wreckage. The boxcar is labeled with "CGW 67457" and its side is torn open, showing the contents inside. Debris and boxes are scattered around the site.
Black and white photo of a train wreck. Several train cars lie off the track, damaged and tilted, with smoke rising from one of the wrecked cars or a nearby train engine. Utility poles stand to the left, and debris is scattered around the scene.

This derailment was over the bridge just north of the creamery, west of Howard Cemetery, in the 1900’s. Engine #219’s nose is buried in the mud. A wooden channel was constructed to divert the creek while workers retrieved the engine. A pump drained the water from the creek bed.

Train viaduct, 1980

Black and white photograph of a bridge with wooden railings spanning over a small stream or river. The bridge is supported by stone piers, and there are utility poles with power lines in the background. Snow is visible on the ground around the bridge.
A vintage black and white photograph depicts a steam locomotive crossing a wooden trestle bridge. The engine and its carriages appear elevated above the ground below. The image has a historical feel, showcasing early railway transportation.
Black and white image of a train traveling on a bridge over a roadway. There is a height restriction sign on the road below, indicating a clearance of 11 feet 4 inches. Railings and a wall are visible on either side of the road under the bridge.

Demise of the Viaduct

Train service ceased in Elma in 1982; the roundhouse & maintenance service of the Chicago Great Western line had moved to Oelwein at this point, taking many Elma residents/railroad workers with it.

A vintage advertisement for the Chicago Great Western Railway from 1902, featuring a detailed map of the railroad network within the shape of a leaf. The text highlights connections to Des Moines, St. Joseph, Kansas City, and the Southwest.
A framed illustration features a historic steam locomotive with "Chicago Great Western" text below. It shows the train on tracks with a station house nearby. In the background, sketches of a pocket watch, a lantern, and an emblem add a vintage feel.
A black and white photograph of two people walking on a snow-covered path flanked by high snowbanks. The person in the front appears to be carrying something on their back. The surrounding area is extensively covered in snow.
A black and white photograph of an old steam locomotive train at a railway station platform. The train emits steam as it stands on the tracks, with a few people visible in the distance on the right side near the platform. The scene evokes a historical era.
A black-and-white historical photo shows four men with a horse-drawn wagon in front of a railroad water tower. Two men sit in the wagon, one stands next to the wagon, and the fourth man stands on the ground beside the horse, facing the camera.

    Posted: March 20, 2024 in Elma History
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