Trestle to Trestle Trail

Discover Trestle to Trestle Trail in Des Moines

Des Moines to Johnston - 3.7 miles

The Trestle to Trestle Trail was constructed in 2007 and serves as a vital link between Des Moines metro and the northern Polk County suburbs.

The Des Moines & Central Iowa Railroad began operations as the Inter-Urban Railway, incorporated in 1899 and soon after in 1902 connected Des Moines to Colfax, a distance of 23 miles. Four years later in 1906 the railroad built a 35-mile branch connecting Des Moines to Perry. In 1922 the system was reorganized as the Des Moines & Central Iowa Railroad. Passengers services on the system were discontinued in 1949 and the remaining freight business was switched from electric to diesel locomotives, which lasted into the 1950’s.