Bayard, IA branch Milwaukee Rd. Main to Omaha

 bayard-change.jpg    On the former Milwaukee main, a westbound BNSF manifest changes crews in Manilla,IA where part of the former double track can still be found.
 bayard-local.jpg        East of Manilla, IA, the local trundles along the former MILW right of way.
 bayard-local2.jpg      The local crosses Highway 141 in western Iowa.
 bayard-local3.jpg       West of Manilla, the former MILW was single tracked.  Here the train exits town with a fresh crew.
 bn-caboose.jpg          The Bayard local usually has a caboose tacked on to the back.
 bnsf2298.jpg            A closer look at BNSF 2298 on the Bayard branch.
 bayard-local4.jpg       Heading into the next town to the west, the tracks are in significantly better shape.  The train throttles up to 30 mph as it crosses a gravel road.
 bayard-local5.jpg       BNSF 2298 was in fresh paint.
 bayard-local6.jpg       The consist crosses an overpass in western Iowa.

bayard.jpg              View from the cab on a bayard local
bn12539.jpg            Caboose at Coon Rapids
bn2935.jpg             Local at Mannilla, IA