Rock Island Station
The Rock Island main line between Chicago and Omaha was the main railroad through Des Moines, using its own station. Rock Island also had an important line from Minneapolis to Kansas City. And those two lines crossed at Short Line Jct., 2 miles east of the Des Moines station. In addition, a branch line southwest to Eldon IA diverged from the main line at Altoona, 11 miles east of Des Moines. Minneapolis & St. Louis also served Des Moines, using trackage rights via the Rock Island main line, and diverging northwest at West Des Moines, 5 miles west. A Rock Island branch line northwest to Sibley used trackage rights via M&SL to Gowrie, 69 miles northwest of Des Moines. The M&SL line continued north to Minneapolis.
Union Station
Four railroads used Des Moines Union Station. Burlington Route operated two branch lines, the Albia & Des Moines Subdivision, and the Des Moines & Osceola Subdivision. At Albia southeast and Osceola southwest, those lines connected with the Burlington main line between Chicago and Omaha. The Milwaukee Road operated a branch line northwest to Spirit Lake, along with a spur north to Madrid connecting with its main line between Chicago and Omaha. Wabash operated a branch line southeast to Moberly, connecting with its main line to St. Louis. And Chicago Great Western operated from Kansas City to Oelwein, and beyond to Chicago and Minneapolis. CGW's own trackage through Des Moines passed south, between East DMU Jct. and South Des Moines, and was used by freight trains. West of Union Station, CGW trains used Burlington trackage between West DMU Jct. and South Des Moines, to connect with its own trackage. Des Moines Union Railway operated Union Station. In 1950, CGW passenger trains began using its freight trackage, using a modest new station.
Significant Locations and Distances from Station
East DMU Jct. (2 miles E) - east end DUR trackage, connect with CB&Q, CGW, WAB.
West DMU Jct. (1 mile W) - junction with CB&Q Des Moines & Osceola Subdivision.
West 28th St. (2 miles W) - west end DUR trackage, connect with CMSP&P.
Clive (7 miles W) - junction of CMSP&P Spirit Lake branch and Madrid spur.
South Des Moines (2 miles SW) - junction of CB&Q, CGW with trackage rights.
Chicago & North Western Station
Des Moines was located on a Chicago & North Western branch north line to Ames, connecting with its main line between Chicago and Omaha. C&NW used its own station in Des Moines.