in 1887, the chicago, kansas and nebraska railway built a railroad from topeka through alma to herington. the chicago, kansas and nebraska railway closed in 1891. it was taken over by chicago, rock island and pacific railway, which shut down in 1980. this railroad of the former rock island railroad was sold to the southern pacific railroad. the southern pacific railroad later merged into the union pacific. union pacific operates and owns the railroad today. most locals still call this railroad the "rock island".