Fast Facts
592 miles / 954 km
(17) GE AC 4400 units
(17) EMD GP 38-2 units
(4) SD 38-2 units
(2) slug units
Blue Island, Illinois, and Council Bluffs, Iowa
containers, ethanol, fertilizer, metals, intermodal, agricultural products, and dimensional products (windmill blades)
UP, BNSF, CSX, NS, CN, CP, EJE, KCS, CIC, IHB, CRL, TZPR
Main line extends from Council Bluffs, Iowa, to Bureau, Illinois. Trackage rights have been procured between Bureau to Blue Island, IL over CSX and Metra.
Major branch line to Peoria, IL from Bureau, IL over owned track from Peoria to Henry, IL and leased track from Henry to Bureau, IL.
Other branch lines owned or leased:
- — Rock Island to Milan, IL
- — Altoona, IA stub
- — Des Moines to Grimes, IA
- — Hancock Junction to Hancock, IA
Background
Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS) is a privately held corporation founded in 1984 to operate the former Rock Island routes between Chicago, IL and Omaha, NE in the Midwest USA. Heartland Rail Corporation purchased the trackage from The Rock Island’s trustee to preserve the line as a through route, making IAIS one of the few regional railroads that connects with every Class 1 railroad at multiple locations. As a result, IAIS creates competition for its on-line customers to ship and receive their goods to or from anywhere in North America. Traffic includes containers, forest products, ethanol, fertilizer, metals, agricultural products, and dimensional products (i.e. windmill blades).
IAIS is a 592 mi (954 km) single-track standard gauge (1,435 mm) regional carrier. IAIS owns and maintains 428 mi (689 km); leases and maintains approximately 49 mi (79 km); and uses trackage rights over other carriers of 115 mi (186 km). The main line extends from Council Bluffs, Iowa to Bureau, Illinois. Trackage rights have been procured between Bureau to Blue Island, IL over CSX and Metra.
IAIS provides intermodal facilities at Blue Island, Illinois, and Council Bluffs, Iowa, and offers access to the Mississippi and Illinois River terminals for rail to barge or barge to rail service. Transload facilities are also located in Council Bluffs and Newton, Iowa.
IAIS purchased a total of 17 new 4400 horsepower GE Evolution Series (ES44AC) locomotives for their fuel efficiency and maintenance savings. With these units, IAIS remains competitive and poised for growth. To service and maintain all power, the “Dennis H. Miller Locomotive Maintenance Works” shop was constructed in South Amana, Iowa, in 2012.
Safety is an important component of RDC’s culture and IAIS’ persona, and is reflected in IAIS’ twice receiving the Gold Harriman Award for its excellent safety record.
IAIS is a member of the Association of American Railroads (AAR) and the American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA).
From 1991 through 2003, IAIS was jointly owned by Heartland Rail Corporation and RDC. Now IAIS is an affiliate of RDC.
Contact
Iowa Interstate Railroad
Global Campus5900 6th Street SW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404
USA