The Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway by Don L. Hofsommer

In this photographic history of the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway (M&StL), railroad historian Don L. Hofsommer revives the memory of a storied regional railroad.

The Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway was created on May 26, 1870, by a group of Minnesota investors interested in establishing a railroad connection between Minneapolis and the agricultural regions to the south. While not flashy, the M&StL served Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, and Illinois over nine decades and was essential in opening new territory, providing freight as well as passenger carriage, and employing thousands of people.

Rich in illustrations, this is not just a chronicle of a railroad but also a story and a record of a way of life in the rural upper Midwest. A must-have for readers that fondly remember the Tootin’ Louie as well as rail fans, history buffs, and model railroaders in general.

About the Author Don Hofsommer is a professor of history at St. Cloud State University. He is the author of many books on railroad history, including The Tootin’ Louie: A History of the Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway, The Great Northern Railway: A History, The Hook & Eye: A History of the Iowa Central Railway, and Minneapolis and the Age of Railways, all published by the University of Minnesota Press.