The Peoria Gateway Line

The Peoria Gateway Line Until the eve of the first World War, the M6 StL was called the Albert Lea Route, but there after it became known as the Peoria Gateway Line.The reason is obvious.More emphasis was placed on freight, and Peoria is an important gate way for east and west tonnage.Albert Lea, on the contrary, was chiefly regarded as a passenger junction point.The new slogan was indicative of the coming importance of freight.All, however, was not well on the M&StL.The drubbing the road took under government opera tion during World War I was a big factor in bringing on the receivership of 1923.A long siege of crop failures, unfavorable business conditions, and finally the Great Depression prolonged the court's control.In an effort to pare expenses, all passenger trains except the North Star Limited were motorized.Many locals which did not earn their keep were withdrawn, and segments of branch lines abandoned.During this trying period the road was piloted by William H. Bremner, a native of Marshalltown."Billy" Bremner started on the Iowa Central as a baggage clerk.He later was graduated from the State University at Iowa City and came to the M&StL as general attorney