Eastbound Union Pacific Lines in Central Iowa

The main East - West lines for the Union Pacific railroad runs right through Iowa. Along these tracks have been many, many tons of coal, new automobiles and even the two 200 inch blanks for the Mount Palomar Hale telescope direct from the Corning Glass Works in Corning, New York. Yes, two blanks. The first one delivered developed a crack in the lens and needed to be replaced. It is or was on display at Corning's museum.

Just Around the Bend

One line of the CRANDIC bends southward along the river road near East Amana, Iowa, close to mile post 17. A grain bin (for corn or soybeans) is one of many in the area - as you might guess for rural Iowa. The line was recently reworked between Cedar Rapids and Amana.