Railroads in Pipestone, Minnesota - Trains Magazine

This post is regarding the railroads that serve or served Pipestone, Minnesota.

The 1948 OG lists four roads, MILW, RI, Omaha (CNW),, and GN serving that southwestern Minnesota city. Dick Prosser's book, "Rails to the North Star State" lists that in 1962 the Omaha Road (CNW) abandoned their line from Lake Wilson, Minnesota to Pipestone.

GN's Willmar Division Timetable 102 of December 11, 1960 makes reference only to the RI trackage.

Now only two four axle locomotives and two cars may be handled on the former RI trackage.

Does the BN/BNSF serve any of the former MILW trackage in Pipestone. Apparently the GN/BN did not have any physical connection with the CNW in Pipestone.

What industries are on the former RI or MILW roads and how did the BN/BNSF obtain right to operate on the RI/MILW trackage?

Always interested in railroad history.

Ed Burns

Retired NP-BN-BNSF from Minneapolis