George Povall 80 pages softcover
While it existed, the I&M Rail Link was a large midwest regional with more than 1,300 miles of line. With 118 locomotives, it fielded 29 scheduled trains plus several additional daily trains under a haulage agreement with Union Pacific. The I&M locomotives sported a classy royal blue body, white nose stripes, a black roof plus a dab of red that was very similar to sister road Montana Rail Link. The I&M lasted just over five years, from April 1997 to July 2002 before being purchased by Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern which changed the name to Iowa, Chicago & Eastern. Iowa native photographer Randy J. Williams was able to record the I&M during those years with his many excellent photos.
The book features over 140 color photos covering almost every engine type in brilliant action scenes. A selection of 16 prime roster photos is also offered to enhance the appeal. Further included is a roster list, train schedules, a train activity map and a mile by mile listing of all points on each of the I&M Rail Link’s six subdivisions. Trains Magazine dubbed the I&M a “Midwest Power House” on the cover of their September 2000 issue. Today the trackage forms the crucial “link” linking Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern in the merger that formed CPKC.
