Iowa River Valley Trail?

ELDORA, IOWA - Over the past several months, central Iowa media outlets have been reporting on the expected abandonment of the Iowa River Railroad which owns the former Union Pacific, (ex CNW, M&Stl, Iowa Central) railroad line that runs from Ackley to Marshalltown.  Actually, IARR only plans to abandon the segment from Steamboat Rock to Marshalltown, as north of Steamboat Rock to Ackley IARR still runs regular traffic from the ethanol plant at Highway 20 to the CN railroad at Ackley.  Over the last several years railroad traffic has declined, particularly from Eldora south, due to a number of economic and other factors..
     The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation has been spearheading efforts to preserve this corridor for a possible multi-use trail through the area, engaging local government entities along the line about the possibility of converting this to a trail if abandoned by IARR.  A recent article in the Marshalltown Times-Republican made it sound like the Board of Supervisors in Marshall County weren't too excited about the notion, citing the cost of maintenance.  However, it sounds like support may be a little more favorable up in Hardin County for such an endeavor.  Will be interesting to see how this evolves, but I certainly think this corridor would make for a fantastic trail through a very scenic part of Central Iowa and could provide a good boost to the economy in the towns along that potential trail.