July 19, 1855 – In one of the biggest news stories of the decade, the M&M Railroad ships its first locomotive – the 25-ton Antione Le Claire – across the Mississippi River into Davenport using a flatboat.

With its headquarters in Davenport, the M&M Railroad had lofty goals of building three lines in Iowa – the first running east/west from Davenport to Council Bluffs via Iowa City, the second running south from Muscatine to the Missouri border via Oskaloosa, and the third running north from Muscatine toward Minnesota via Marion/Cedar Rapids. Over the first ten years, much of the work entails casting vision, partnering with eastern-based railroads, and raising funds.

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