Former Cy Ride Director Bob Bourne, a well-known expert in Iowa transportation history, spoke recently to a virtual audience of Ames Golden K members and guests.  Bob, who is very active in the Ames History Museum, focused his remarks and accompanying photos/maps on the events from the mid 1800’s thru 1907 that shaped the development of rail and bus service within Ames and Central Iowa.  This included:

1860’s-1880’s–Horsecar driven street railway conveyances were common in Ames and many Iowa cities.

1888–First electric trolley was introduced in Richmond, Va.; however, no electric plant in Ames until 1896, although ISU conducted a feasibility study for electric trolleys, anticipating electricity coming to Ames.

1891-1907–The Ames and ISU “Dinkey” service from Onondaga {now Main} St. to “The Hub” located on ISU Central Campus was a highly successful venture with well-known Ames citizens as incorporators.  Transportation for Ames and ISU residents was very profitable, but with the introduction of the steam locomotive in 1884, materials for Campus construction as well as coal were transported via Dinkey.  Rail sizes were small, so walking and bike riding on the Dinkey roadbed was common.

1907- Other more efficient modes of transportation caused the Dinkey to stop operations 9/6/2007. The Dinkey served 2.1million passengers {133,000 yearly average} during its 16-year existence. 
Bourne concluded his remarks by briefly reviewing passenger rail transportation milestones occurring from 1907-1925,  including the Newton & NW and Electric Interurban Railways, which had a terminal located at Lincoln Way and Grand.  After 1925, motorized Bus transportation replaced much of the need for electric railway transportation.