After massive flooding damaged the power plant (located at Fraser, Iowa) providing electricity to the line in 1954, the railroad soon turned to diesel equipment to pull its trains.

The line runs from Boone, through the old coal mining town of Fraser, and ends at the site of the former junction with the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway at Wolf.

17, is most widely known for holding the historic title as the last operating common carrier steam locomotive in North America.

Purchased on February 9, 1987, it sat on display for several years while painted with the CO&E's pyramid logo, but it is also in poor condition, since it has been sitting outdoors.

The JS locomotive powers the museum's 1920s excursion trains on Saturdays, from Memorial Day Weekend to October 31.

[citation needed] The railroad also runs a short trolley ride and has begun to do light freight switching at Boone industries in recent years.