A typical, long CGW freight train powered by four cab unit diesels was photographed crossing the Des Moines River Valley Bridge at Fort Dodge, Iowa. Photo by James L. Rueber.
	This stylized map of the Chicago Great Western Railway was published in the company’s 1957 annual report.
	This is the train crew assigned to the switcher that ran between Sycamore and DeKalb, Illinois on July 9, 1949. This occasion was the last run of a steam locomotive on the CGW in Illinois. The engine was No. 467, nicknamed “The Goat.” Photo courtesy Joiner History Room, Sycamore, Illinois.
	The Texas-type replaced the Mikado in heavy tonnage freight service between Chicago and St. Paul and between Oelwein and Kirmeyer, Missouri. The 2-10-4 produced enough power to pull freight trains over the steep grades west of Stockton with no reduction in train size or helpers. No. 850, the first CGW Texas built by Lima, was photographed at Chicago Transfer Yard on October 15, 1949. Photo by James L. Rueber.
	A string of GP30’s rest at the Forty Eighth Street Yard enginehouse on a cold winter day in the 1960s. Forty Eighth Street was also called Chicago Transfer Yard. Photo collection of David J. Fiore, Sr.

By Otto M. Vondrak
Originally published December 4, 2006.

The Chicago Great Western was one of the Midwest’s “granger roads” serving Chicago, Kansas City, Omaha, and Minneapolis. Tracing its roots back to 1854 and the Minnesota & Northwestern Railroad, the colorful history of the CGW ends in 1968, when it was acquired by the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. In this latest offering from Acadia Publishing, author David J. Fiore, Sr. recounts the working history of this line. Noting that not much in the way of formal histories have been prepared on the CGW, Fiore successfully captures the essence of this line in a way that is widely accessible to the casual reader.

What sets this book apart from others is the liberal use of maps, timetables, and other printed matter related to the CGW. So often these items are overlooked in favor of identical photographs of trains in unidentifiable locations. Graphics have been selected from various timetables, company newsletters, and annual reports in order to better illustrate a point. This is not to say the photos in this book are lacking—in fact, they are carefully selected and reproduced well throughout.

After a brief introduction that covers CGW’s tumultuous corporate history—from farm belt railway to darling of J.P. Morgan—there is a short chapter that shows three images of employees at work over the years. The next chapter deals with GCW’s motive power, opening with a track profile copied from the 1957 annual report. If you think the CGW’s mainlines through Iowa were flat, think again! The railroad had to deal with the same issues of tonnage over grade. A good selection of steam locomotives is shown, leading up to early diesels and finishing with the last second-generation locomotives purchased by the line. While the CGW depended mainly on a fleet of four-axle EMD’s as its primary power, I was surprised to learn that 10 SD40’s were added to the fleet in 1966 (the last power purchase before merger with C&NW).

The next chapter deals with freight service, and is lushly illustrated with vintage photographs and vintage advertisements. Included are photos of early steam, first generation diesels, and a few photos of intermodal piggyback trailer service. This is followed by a passenger service chapter, richly illustrated with timetable covers and ads, featuring photos of early steam, gas-electric cars, and diesel streamliners. The last train, a Minneapolis-St. Paul to Omaha run, was discontinued in 1965.

The largest chapter is dedicated to operations in western Illinois. Of note, the CGW did not have their own route into downtown Chicago. About ten miles out from downtown, the CGW used the tracks of the B&O Chicago Terminal Railroad for access to Grand Central Station. Once again, a variety of photos, timetables and advertisements add depth to the story told. The final chapter is a short one, describing the days leading into merger with the C&NW in 1968. For many years, the CGW was able to compete with other carriers serving the same territory. Trucks, airlines, and a general downturn in business forced the CGW to seek a merger partner in order to survive. Talks began with the C&NW in 1964, as they were eager to gain access to Kansas City over CGW rails. The merger was approved in 1967, and with some later concessions, finally went forward in 1968. The CGW ceased to exist and became the C&NW Missouri Division on July 1, 1968.

Fiore, a member of the C&NW Historical Society, has done an excellent job recounting the story of the CGW for the expert or the novice. The captions are factual, and a broad range of photos have been selected. My only complaint is that more coverage could have been lent to the operations in Kansas City, Omaha, or Minneapolis, but such would have required a book three times as large. I hope Arcadia is considering the publication of other books so richly illustrated and carefully researched. Regardless, there are few shortcomings in this volume, and I would enthusiastically recommend this book for anyone with an interest in the CGW.

The Chicago Great Western Railway By David J. Fiore, Sr. Softbound, black and white, 128 pages. 9x6.5 $19.99 plus shipping and handling Arcadia Publishing 224 State Street Portsmouth, NH 03801 http://www.arcadiapublishing.com (888) 313-2665