In my internet searches I’ve found a reference to a railroad co. I’ve never heard anything of . The Austin & Mankato Railway or St .Cloud Austin & Mankato railroad. Any info would be appreciated .
It looks like a paper railroad that was stillborn. The Illinois Central never owned trackage beyond Mona, it reached Albert Lea via trackage rights over the Rock Island. Albert Lea and Mankato were linked by two MILW predecessors, Mankato to Wells was built by the Central Railroad of Minnesota, While Wells to Albert Lea and Austin (Ramsey) was part of the Southern Minnesota Railway’s mainline. Soon after completion the Southern Minnesota Rwy absorbed the Central Railway of Minnesota. Try and find a copy of “Rails to the North Star” by Richard Prosser and Don Hofsommer ISBN 0816652678