Great Western Railway
On October 17, 1903, a new rail cutoff from Oelwein to Waverly was constructed. This track completed a direct connection between Chicago and Omaha. As a smaller railroad The Great Western Railroad competed with larger railroads by its focus on efficiency and customer service. After consolidation it became part of the Chicago Great Western railway. As highway truck freight increased, the Chicago Great Western railroad's business declined, and in August 1986 the last run was made from Hampton to Oelwein ferrying an old steam engine through Waverly.