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southern MN | Back in the day a steam engine needed water refill every 5-10 miles. As well folk could travel by horse and wagon about 4-7 miles round trip by horse and wagon to deliver or pick up goods in a comfortable day.
So the rail stops were about every 5 miles where water was easy to get, and towns sprung up around each rail stop since the water and access to transportation and access from the surrounding country folk was about that distance. The towns that developed a good industry or available raw materials to ship went on to grow, others faded quickly or slowly as the train engines needed less stops along the way.
Paul | |
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Railroads in Iowa?
