Last revised: August 24, 2024
By: Adam Burns
Iowa is typically thought by many as home only to flat, open prairies and farmland. However, the state is actually filled with rolling hills and small canyons. Such is the case near Boone where the Boone & Scenic Valley operates part of the old Fort Dodge, Des Moines & Southern, which includes a magnificent high bridge spanning Bass Point Creek.
The heritage railroad continues to operate through the fall season, allowing guests to view the region's autumn splendor. More information about the railroad may be found below. Finally, if you are interested in viewing the fall colors elsewhere in the state these locations are top attractions.
The state's variety of trees, including Sugar Maple, Red Oak, Black Cherry, Hickory, and Dogwood come alive each September and October in vibrant shades of red, vermillion, yellow, and burnt umber.
(Boone): The B&SV is one of only two places in Iowa that hosts public excursions. The heritage railroad began in 1983 when the then-Boone Railroad Historical Society saved 11.3 miles of the old Fort Dodge, Des Moines & Southern Railway from the Chicago & North Western which was abandoning most of its trackage.
The FDDM&S was a historic electrified interurban that ran from Des Moines to Webster City via Fort Dodge, a total of 104.83 miles. It also maintained branches to Lehigh (14.08 miles), Rockwell City (27.1 miles), and Ames (6.9 miles).
While most interurbans closed by World War I, the FDDM&S found success as a freight line and survived until its 1968 purchased by the C&NW.
Following this takeover the new owner abandoned most of its network. Each October the Boone & Scenic Valley hosts the Pumpkin Express Train for kids. While this event is, of course, geared towards youngsters, it indirectly offers the chance to see the area's rich fall.
Boone was situated at Milepost 42.4 along the FDDM&S, about halfway between Des Moines and Fort Dodge. The B&SV tracks run as far north as Wolfe at Milepost 31.1.
This is one of the most scenic lines you can ride in the Midwest; surrounded by rural farmland and patches of forest the train will cross the breathtaking 156-foot high bridge over Bass Point Creek just north of Boone.
A bit further you will pass another photogenic location as rails cross Deer Creek and continue along this waterway before veering west near Fraser and terminating at the small hamlet of Wolfe.
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