Appanoose County Community Railroad - Route of The APNC

Route of The APNC

The APNC comprises routes formerly owned by 3 railroads: the Norfolk Southern, the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific and the Burlington Northern. Starting from the Centerville industrial park, the APNC runs over 4 miles (6.4 km) of ex-BN trackage south, followed by 5 miles (8.0 km) of ex Rock Island east. At a point known as Moulton Junction, the two railroads, Norfolk Southern, and the Rock Island, met. Today, only one part of two of the original routes through here remain. This is where the APNC turns to the north. Until recently, a switchback was still located at this point, and the trains had to stop, reverse and couple up to their consist on the other end before continuing up the line. This has been replaced with one sweeping curve, and there is no longer an actual junction at Moulton Junction.

Going north, the APNC is now on ex-NS/N&W/Wabash 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.

In 2005, a new RELCO locomotive facility opened in Albia, and is directly off the APNC route on the southern edge of town. RELCO leases, rebuilds and repairs locomotives from all around the country. Many different locomotives have been repaired here, including units owned by BNSF, Union Pacific, CSX, and Amtrak. RELCO also receives new locomotives en route and tests them on their tracks, and perhaps over the APNC as well. Some of Montana Rail Link's and Norfolk Southern's new SD70ACe locomotives were tested in Albia before they were put into regular service.