Train from Cedar Rapids to Cedar Falls (Waterloo, Iowa City: living, manufacturing)

[metro223]

My Grandma went to UNI (in I believe the 40's) while living near west liberty, she said she would ride on a milk truck from West Liberty to Cedar Rapids, and then take a train (with a cable?) from Cedar Rapids up to Cedar Falls (or Waterloo idk)

....Does anyone know anything about a passenger train during this time? If so, are these the tracks that were paved over for the Cedar Valley Nature Trail? (bike trail from CR to Wloo)

Just curious, I thought this was some interesting Iowa history....

[WoodwardGirl]

That would have been the Waterloo, Cedar Falls and Northern Railway, an interurban line that did use electric trolleys. Here's a little history: Expansion

And, yes, the Cedar Valley Nature Trail is on the former WCF&N right-of-way.

One of the cars has been preserved and is in (very limited) operation in Mt. Pleasant: Midwest Electric Railway Museum

The Story of the Cedar Valley Road Electric Railroad and Interurban Trolley System by Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (Book) in Engineering

[Rez]

Occasionally there is talk about reopening a rail line, but so far that might only be from the Cedar Rapids/Iowa City area. I wish there were something from Waterloo/Cedar Rapids-- it would help open up job possibilities.