Iowa Interstate Railroad Overview
The Iowa Interstate Railroad is a Class 2 regional railroad operating across Illinois and Iowa, running from North Utica, IL (west of Chicago) to Council Bluffs, IA (just outside of Omaha, NE), a distance of 395 miles. IAIS uses an extended 70+ miles of trackage rights on CSX's New Rock Subdivision and Metra's Rock Island District to access Blue Island, IL, their Chicago terminal. IAIS operates on former Chicago, Rock Island, & Pacific track that was acquired 4 years after the CRIP went under.
The IAIS hauled 146,000 carloads in 2019. IAIS also operates an intermodal ramp at both ends of the railroad.
IAIS is a bit unique in that it is the only Class 2 railroad to interchange with all 7 Class 1 railroads.
Train movements are controlled by track warrants issued by the dispatcher in Cedar Rapids, IA.
Iowa Interstate Railroad Interchanges
- CSX in Blue Island, IL
- IHB in Blue Island, IL
- CRL in Blue Island, IL
- NS in Chicago, IL, Peoria, IL, and Des Moines, IA
- CN in Chicago, IL, Peoria, IL, and Council Bluffs, IA
- BNSF in Chicago, IL, Peoria, IL, Rock Island, IL, Des Moines, IA, and Council Bluffs, IA
- UP in Chicago, IL, Des Moines, IA, and Council Bluffs, IA
- CPKC in Chicago, IL and Davenport, IA
- TZPR in Peoria, IL
- CIC in Iowa City, IA and Cedar Rapids, IA
Iowa Interstate Railroad Locomotive Roster
|
Number
|
Model
|
Year Built
|
History
|
Notes
|
IAIS 150
|
SD38-2
|
1978
|
LLPX 2802, GATX 1238, RSMX 1238
|
Stored in Silvis.
|
IAIS 151
|
SD38-2
|
1978
|
LLPX 2805, GATX 1241, RSMX 1241
|
Stored in Silvis.
|
IAIS 152
|
SD38-2
|
1978
|
LLPX 2807, GATX 1243, RSMX 1243
|
Stored in Silvis.
|
IAIS 153
|
SD38-2
|
1978
|
LLPX 2809, GATX 1245, RSMX 1245
|
Stored in Silvis.
|
IAIS 500
|
ES44AC
|
2008
|
Built New
|
|
IAIS 501
|
ES44AC
|
2008
|
Built New
|
|
IAIS 502
|
ES44AC
|
2008
|
Built New
|
|
IAIS 503
|
ES44AC
|
2008
|
Built New
|
|
IAIS 504
|
ES44AC
|
2008
|
Built New
|
|
IAIS 505
|
ES44AC
|
2008
|
Built New
|
|
IAIS 506
|
ES44AC
|
2008
|
Built New
|
|
IAIS 507
|
ES44AC
|
2008
|
Built New
|
|
IAIS 508
|
ES44AC
|
2008
|
Built New
|
|
IAIS 509
|
ES44AC
|
2008
|
Built New
|
|
IAIS 510
|
ES44AC
|
2008
|
Built New
|
|
IAIS 511
|
ES44AC
|
2008
|
Built New
|
|
IAIS 512
|
ES44AC
|
2009
|
Built New
|
|
IAIS 513
|
ES44AC
|
2009
|
Built New
|
Rock Island Heritage Scheme
|
IAIS 514
|
ES44AC
|
2014
|
Built New
|
|
IAIS 515
|
ES44AC
|
2014
|
Built New
|
|
IAIS 516
|
ES44AC
|
2014
|
Built New
|
30th Anniversary Tribute Scheme
|
IAIS 517
|
ES44AC
|
2019
|
Built New
|
|
IAIS 518
|
ES44AC
|
2019
|
Built New
|
|
IAIS 519
|
ES44AC
|
2019
|
Built New
|
Paul H. Banner Sticker
|
IAIS 601
|
GP38
|
1966
|
MP 2002, MP 852, MP 752
|
Stored in Silvis. Mated to 650.
|
IAIS 650
|
Yard Slug
|
1953
|
IAIS 466, ICG 7966, IC 7966, IC 8966
|
Stored in Silvis.
|
IAIS 651
|
Yard Slug
|
1953
|
IAIS 481, IAIS 7981, IC 7981, IC 8981
|
Stored in Silvis.
|
IAIS 700
|
GP38-2
|
1972
|
LLPX 2301, UP 410/1910, EMDX 740, CR/PC 7940
|
|
IAIS 701
|
GP38-2
|
1972
|
LLPX 2302, UP 411/1911, EMDX 742, CR/PC 7942
|
|
IAIS 702
|
GP38-2
|
1972
|
LLPX 2303, UP 412/1912, EMDX 744, CR/PC 7944
|
|
IAIS 703
|
GP38-2
|
1972
|
LLPX 2305, UP 414/1914, EMDX 749, CR/PC 7949
|
|
IAIS 705
|
GP38-2
|
1972
|
LLPX 2309, UP 422/1922, EMDX 765, CR/PC 7965.
|
|
IAIS 707
|
GP38-2
|
1972
|
LLPX 2311, UP 426/1926, EMDX 772, CR/PC 7972
|
|
IAIS 708
|
GP38-2
|
1972
|
LLPX 2312, UP 428/1928, EMDX 773, CR/PC 7973
|
|
IAIS 710
|
GP38-2
|
1972
|
LLPX 2315, UP 431/1931, EMDX 782, CR/PC 7982
|
|
IAIS 711
|
GP38-2
|
1972
|
LLPX 2316, UP 432/1932, EMDX 784, CR/PC 7984
|
|
IAIS 712
|
GP38-2
|
1972
|
LLPX 2317, UP 437/1937, EMDX 794, CR/PC 7994
|
|
IAIS 714
|
GP38-2
|
1972
|
LLPX 2322, UP 443/1943, EMDX 805, CR/PC 8005
|
|
IAIS 715
|
GP38-2
|
1972
|
LLPX 2326, UP 449/1949, EMDX 813, CR/PC 8013
|
|
IAIS 716
|
GP38-2
|
1972
|
LLPX 2328, UP 452/1952, EMDX 817, CR/PC 8017
|
|
IAIS 718
|
GP38-2
|
1972
|
LLPX 2330, UP 455/1955, EMDX 820, CR/PC 8020
|
|
IAIS 719
|
GP38-2
|
1972
|
LLPX 2337, UP 467/1967, EMDX 835, CR/PC 8035
|
|
IAIS 720
|
GP38-2
|
1972
|
LLPX 2341, UP 1950, EMDX 814, CR/PC 8014
|
|
IAIS 721
|
GP38-2
|
1972
|
LLPX 2343, UP 1970, EMDX 839, CR/PC 8039
|
Stored in Silvis.
|
IAIS 6988
|
2-10-2
|
1985
|
JITONG 6988
|
Undergoing 1472-Day Inspection at RRHMA Silvis.
|
IAIS 7081
|
2-10-2
|
1986
|
JITONG 7081
|
Stored in South Amana.
|
|
Iowa Interstate Railroad Train Symbols
|
Symbol
|
Origin
|
Destination
|
Frequency
|
Notes
|
ATSW
|
Atlantic, IA
|
Newton, IA
|
M-F
|
OD @1700. Turn
|
BICB
|
Blue Island, IL
|
Council Bluffs, IA
|
Daily
|
OD @1845 BI. SISW relieves @0500. Mid-morning, CBBI SA crew gets on BICB at SI. SASW @1500 runs to NT. OD @0400 NT.
|
BISI
|
Blue Island, IL
|
Silvis, IL
|
As Needed
|
OD @2300. Ethanol Loads (and some mixed freight)
|
BIIHB
|
Blue Island, IL
|
Blue Island, IL (IHB)
|
Daily
|
OD @1000, IHB Interchange
|
BIIND
|
Blue Island, IL
|
Mokena, IL
|
Daily
|
OD @0730. Pulls IHB, builds BICB, works Mokena Ozinga.
|
BISW
|
Blue Island, IL
|
Mokena, IL
|
As Needed
|
OD @1630-1930. Builds BICB, BISI, relieves BIIHB, and Mokena work if needed.
|
BUSW
|
Bureau Jct, IL
|
Henry/Peru-LaSalle, IL
|
M-F
|
OD @0830
|
CBBI
|
Council Bluffs, IA
|
Blue Island, IL
|
Daily
|
OD @0430 CB, 1500 SASW crew shuttles between DM and SA. OD @0400-0600 SA. SI crew OD @1500.
|
CBCR
|
Council Bluffs, IA (BNSF)
|
Cedar Rapids, IA
|
As Needed
|
Coal Loads
|
CRCB
|
Cedar Rapids, IA
|
Council Bluffs, IA (BNSF)
|
As Needed
|
Coal Empties
|
CBSW
|
Council Bluffs, IA
|
Hancock, IA
|
Daily
|
1st Crew OD @0600, 2nd Crew OD @2000
|
DAVPE
|
Davenport, IA (CPKC)
|
Peoria, IL
|
As Needed
|
Potash Loads
|
DMSW
|
Des Moines, IA
|
Grimes, IA
|
Sun-Thurs
|
OD @1000
|
NSDMPE
|
Des Moines, IA (NS)
|
Peoria, IL (NS)
|
As Needed
|
NS Grain Loads.
|
NSPEDM
|
Peoria, IL (NS)
|
Des Moines, IA (NS)
|
As Needed
|
NS Grain Empties.
|
NTSW
|
Newton, IA
|
Altoona, IA
|
M-F
|
OD @1100
|
PESI
|
Peoria, IL
|
Silvis, IL
|
As Needed
|
Frequency higher in winter.
|
PEDAV
|
Peoria, IL
|
Davenport, IA (CPKC)
|
As Needed
|
Potash Empties
|
RISW
|
Rock Island, IL
|
Milan, IL
|
Sun-Thurs
|
OD @0900? Works the Milan Branch, Silvis Turn, Interchanges with CPKC/BNSF.
|
SACR
|
South Amana, IA
|
Cedar Rapids, IA
|
Daily
|
OD @0400, Turn. Returns as CRSA.
|
SASI
|
South Amana, IA
|
Silvis, IL
|
Daily?
|
OD @1500, Turn. Returns as SISA.
|
SASW
|
South Amana, IA
|
Iowa City, IA
|
Daily
|
1st Crew OD @0700 M-F. 2nd Crew OD @2300 as needed. 1st Crew runs to Iowa City, 2nd stays in SA.
|
SIBI
|
Silvis, IL
|
Blue Island, IL
|
As Needed
|
OD @2300. Ethanol Empties (and some mixed freight).
|
SIPE
|
Silvis, IL
|
Peoria, IL
|
As Needed
|
Frequency is higher in winter.
|
SISW
|
Silvis, IL
|
Silvis, IL
|
Daily
|
1st Crew OD @0500 Daily builds BICB/CBBI. 2nd Crew OD @2359 Sun-Thurs, works yard and SASI.
|
|
Iowa Interstate Blue Island Subdivision Customers
- Runs from 7th St. East Moline, IL to North Utica, IL.
- Trackage rights on CSX New Rock Sub and Metra Rock Island District to Blue Island.
|
Customer
|
Location
|
Company Description
|
Type of Railcar
|
Notes
|
Railroading Heritage of Midwest America
|
Silvis, IL
|
Railroad Museum
|
Locomotives
|
Former NRE facility.
|
River Valley Co-Op
|
Geneseo, IL
|
Fertilizer Supplier
|
Covered Hoppers
|
|
Atkinson Grain & Fertilizer
|
Atkinson, IL
|
Grain Elevator/Fertilizer
|
Covered Hoppers
|
|
CHS
|
Annawan, IL
|
Ethanol/Biodiesel Plant
|
Covered Hoppers/Tank Cars
|
Served by BISI/SIBI.
|
Buzzi Unicem
|
Oglesby, IL
|
Fly Ash
|
Covered Hoppers
|
Buzzi brings cars to BUSW at La Salle.
|
Ozinga
|
Mokena, IL
|
Ready Mix Concrete
|
Open Hoppers
|
Served by BIIND.
|
IAIS Intermodal
|
Blue Island, IL
|
Intermodal Terminal
|
Wellcars
|
Served by BICB/CBBI.
|
|
Iowa Interstate Peoria Subdivision Customers
- Runs from Bureau Jct, IL to North Limit Yard in Peoria, IL
- Trackage rights on TZPR to their yard in East Peoria, IL
|
Customer
|
Location
|
Company Description
|
Type of Railcar
|
Notes
|
Mexichem Specialty Resins
|
Henry, IL
|
PVC Resins
|
Tank Cars/Covered Hoppers
|
Served by BUSW.
|
Emerald Polymer Additives
|
Henry, IL
|
Chemical Plant
|
Tank Cars/Covered Hoppers
|
Served by BUSW.
|
Ozinga
|
Henry, IL
|
Sand & Gravel Quarry
|
Covered Hoppers
|
Served by BUSW.
|
United Suppliers
|
Henry, IL
|
Fertilizer Supplier
|
Covered Hoppers/Tank Cars
|
Served by BUSW.
|
Galena Road Gravel Co.
|
Chillicothe, IL
|
Sand Loadout
|
Covered Hoppers
|
Active shipper?
|
Mosaic Crop Nutrition
|
Hollis, IL
|
Fertilizer Supplier
|
Covered Hoppers
|
TZPR crew brings DAVPE, returns PEDAV at North Limit Yard.
|
|
Iowa Interstate Milan Branch Customers
- Branches off Iowa City Sub at Rock Island, IL through Milan, IL via trackage rights on BNSF Rock Island Industrial Lead.
|
Customer
|
Location
|
Company Description
|
Type of Railcar
|
Notes
|
Holcim
|
Rock Island, IL
|
Cement
|
Covered Hoppers
|
Served by RISW.
|
Alter Trucking & Terminal
|
Rock Island, IL
|
Barge Terminal
|
Covered Hoppers/Centerbeams
|
Served by RISW.
|
RiverStone Group
|
Rock Island, IL
|
Rock Loadout
|
Open Hoppers
|
Served by RISW.
|
BlueLinx
|
Milan, IL
|
Lumber Yard
|
Centerbeam Flatcars
|
Served by RISW.
|
Steel Warehouse
|
Rock Island, IL
|
Steel Processing
|
Coil Cars
|
Served by RISW.
|
|
Iowa Interstate Iowa City Subdivision Customers
- Runs from 7th St. East Moline, IL to South Amana, IA.
- IAIS also uses trackage rights on the CIC 3rd Sub to run road and unit trains to Cedar Rapids, IA.
|
Customer
|
Location
|
Company Description
|
Type of Railcar
|
Notes
|
Phoenix Closures
|
Davenport, IA
|
Plastic Caps
|
Covered Hoppers
|
|
Central Petroleum Co.
|
Walcott, IA
|
Lubricants
|
Tank Cars
|
|
Norfolk Iron & Metal
|
Durant, IA
|
Steel Processing
|
Coil Cars
|
|
Twin State, Inc.
|
Durant, IA
|
Fertilizer
|
Tank Cars
|
|
Vitalix
|
Wilton, IA
|
Liquid Feed
|
Tank Cars
|
Active shipper?
|
JM Manufacturing
|
Wilton, IA
|
Plastic Pipe
|
Covered Hoppers
|
|
Verdau AmeriSteel
|
Wilton, IA
|
Steel Mill
|
Coil Cars/Gondolas
|
|
Cascade Holdings
|
West Liberty, IA
|
Lumber Yard
|
Centerbeam Flatcars
|
Active shipper?
|
Alpla
|
Iowa City, IA
|
Plastic Bottles
|
Covered Hoppers
|
Served by SASW.
|
Lineage Logistics
|
Iowa City, IA
|
Cold Storage
|
Reefers
|
Served by SASW.
|
Loparex
|
Iowa City, IA
|
Plastic Film
|
Covered Hoppers
|
Served by SASW.
|
Procter & Gamble
|
Iowa City, IA
|
Personal Care Products
|
Covered Hoppers/Tank Cars
|
Served by SASW.
|
Beisser Lumber
|
Coralville, IA
|
Lumber Yard
|
Centerbeam Flatcars
|
Served by SASW.
|
Prairie Creek Generation
|
Cedar Rapids, IA
|
Power Plant
|
Open Hoppers
|
CBCR/CRCB.
|
|
Iowa Interstate Newton Subdivision Customers
- Runs from South Amana, IA to Des Moines, IA
|
Customer
|
Location
|
Company Description
|
Type of Railcar
|
Notes
|
Marengo Elevator
|
Marengo, IA
|
Grain Elevator
|
Covered Hoppers
|
|
Heartland Cooperative
|
Malcom, IA
|
Grain Elevator
|
Covered Hoppers
|
|
Schoon Construction
|
Grinnell, IA
|
Construction Sand
|
Covered Hoppers/Gondolas
|
|
Heartland Cooperative
|
Kellogg, IA
|
Grain Elevator
|
Covered Hoppers
|
|
Key Cooperative
|
Newton, IA
|
Grain Elevator
|
Covered Hoppers
|
Inside yard.
|
Luckey Trucking
|
Newton, IA
|
Plastic Transload
|
Covered Hoppers
|
Inside yard.
|
Renewable Energy Group
|
Newton, IA
|
Biodiesel Plant
|
Tank Cars
|
|
Nucor Harris Rebar
|
Newton, IA
|
Reinforcing Steel
|
Coil Cars
|
Active shipper?
|
Arcosa Wind Towers
|
Newton, IA
|
Wind Turbines
|
Flatcars
|
|
Reppert Rigging & Hauling
|
Altoona, IA
|
Steel Transload
|
Gondolas
|
|
Merchants Distribution
|
Altoona, IA
|
Warehouse
|
Boxcars
|
|
Central Plains Cement Co.
|
Altoona, IA
|
Cement
|
Covered Hoppers
|
|
Lineage Logistics
|
Altoona, IA
|
Cold Storage
|
Reefers
|
|
Feed Energy Co.
|
Des Moines, IA
|
Liquid Feed
|
Tank Cars
|
|
|
Iowa Interstate Des Moines Subdivision Customers
- Runs from Des Moines, IA to Grimes, IA
|
Customer
|
Location
|
Company Description
|
Type of Railcar
|
Notes
|
Proctor Mechanical
|
West Des Moines, IA
|
Mechanics
|
Centerbeam Flatcars
|
Served by DMSW.
|
Beisser Lumber
|
Grimes, IA
|
Lumber Yard
|
Centerbeam Flatcars
|
Served by DMSW.
|
Norwalk Ready Mix
|
Grimes, IA
|
Road Salt Transload
|
Covered Hoppers
|
Served by DMSW.
|
|
Iowa Interstate Council Bluffs Subdivision Customers
|
Customer
|
Location
|
Company Description
|
Type of Railcar
|
Notes
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Back to Iowa Regionals
Back to Illinois Regionals
Back to Regionals
Back to the Main Page