Appanoose County Community Railroad
Encyclopedia : A : AP : APP : Appanoose County Community Railroad
The Appanoose County Community Railroad (AAR reporting mark APNC) is based out of Centerville, Iowa. It is a shortline running to the community of Albia, Iowa, where it distributes cars from Centerville to be put on the BNSF Railway's trains.
In June of 2006, the railroad was hit hard by the fact that the local Rubbermaid plant in Centerville, APNC's premier customer, is closing by September 15th of this year. At least 75% of the cargo hauled by the shortline is from Rubbermaid. The railroad is partly operated by the county, and there are a few other industries in the same area, so the railroad may survive.
Route of the APNC
The APNC is comprised from routes formerly owned by 2 railroads: the Norfolk Southern, and the Burlington Northern. Starting from the Centerville industrial park, the APNC runs over ex-BN trackage east. A switchback takes the route north. At this point, known as Moulton Junction, the trains must stop, and the engine must run around the train before continuing north. This junction was also where the Rock Island Railroad used to meet as well.Going north, the APNC is now on ex-NS trackage. The line passes over state highway 2, through the town of Udell, and crosses over the Iowa, Chicago & Eastern railroad at grade, before entering Moravia. Here there is a restored station, and a siding, which is used for run-around movements during the railroad's annual excursion train rides.
After leaving Moravia, the line continues north into Monroe County. The next town is Albia, and is also the northern terminus of the railroad. Here there is a small yard, where cars from Centerville are exchanged with the BNSF Railway.
Other railroads in the area
There are other railroads that the APNC passes over or travels by. The Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad (IC&E) passes through and crosses over the APNC just a little ways south of Moravia. The IC&E travels between Kansas City and Chicago. It is the former I&M Rail Link, and even earlier than that it was the Milwaukee Road.BNSF Railway's mainline between Chicago and Omaha, Nebraska, splits in Albia, Iowa. The southern mainline track goes through a cutting and under Albia. The APNC railroad track crosses over this mainline track. This BNSF mainline was once the Burlington Northern Railroad, and even earlier than that it was the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, better known as the "Burlington Route".
The APNC Railroad ends in Albia. However, the tracks continue on. BNSF owns these tracks and it is their only route to Des Moines. It is single track the entire way.
The APNC's locomotives
The APNC owns two locomotives. They are both GP7s, and one was once owned by the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad (the "Katy"). When they were purchased they were high-nosed, as are most GP7s. Today both engines have their noses lowered about like the nose on a standard GP38-2. At first the engines were colored red with a white outline of Iowa below the cab's side windows, with the letters "APNC" in the outline. The engine's number was along the side of the locomotive. Today the paint scheme has changed. The engines are still mostly red, but there is a white stripe running down the center side of the engine, and there are white stripes on the front and rear nose of the engine. The engine number has now moved below the Iowa outline (not altered). Bright red "APNC" letters have been put on the white stripe along the side of the engine. The side of the engines are the same style as the BNSF's Heritage 1 paint scheme, and the noses of the locomotives are the same style as the Missouri, Kansas, Texas paint schemes were.Excursion trains
Every July, the APNC Railroad offers train rides from Moravia, Iowa. Passengers can purchase tickets at the renovated Moravia Depot that is still right along the APNC's mainline. Passengers can take the train from Moravia to either Albia or Centerville. The trains depart several times each day the excursion trains are running. The passenger cars are open-air gondolas. There are two gondolas; one of the two GP7s will pull the train.The APNC railroad passes through four Iowa towns: Centerville, Udell, Moravia and Albia.
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