Born from the ashes of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific in 1984, Iowa Interstate operates about 500 miles of railroad, centered around the ex-CRIP main from Bureau, IL, west through the Quad Cities and Des Moines into Council Bluffs, IA. Additionally, they reach eastward to Blue Island, IL, via CSX and Metra trackage rights, and south to Peoria, IL, as well as operating several small branches off the main line. This site is meant to assist already avid IAIS enthusiasts, encourage new ones, and provide information to those just dropping in for a visit.

LATEST IOWA INTERSTATE NEWS

Geneseo's Planes, Trains & Automobiles

Posted Friday, August 5, 2011
The Iowa Interstate Railroad and Patriot Renewable Fuels, Inc will be participating in Geneseo's Annual Planes, Trains & Automobiles event on Saturday, September 10, 2011.

New and exciting for this year will be the addition of 3 train rides pulled behind a 2-10-2 coal fired steam locomotive. The train will travel from Geneseo to Annawan and back, roughly an hour and a half round trip. Departure times offered are 9:30AM, 11:45AM and 2PM. Tickets for the Annawan Excursion are just $12.50 for adults and $6.25 for children 2-12. Kids under 2 are FREE. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce at 309-944-2686. Be a part of history and take advantage of this unique opportunity.

IAIS 6988 is expected to be positioned on the west end of the train with Patriot Fuels (ex-IAIS) 250 positioned on the east end. Several of the RRDX commuter coaches will be used on the train.

See www.geneseo.org for details. - ErikRasmussen

IAIS 2011 Capital Expenditures

Posted Friday, January 28, 2011
Iowa Interstate Railroad Increases 2011 Capital Expenditures for Infrastructure to Highest-Ever as Result of Tax Credit Program


CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA, January 28, 2011 – Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS) today announced a $4.5 million increase in the infrastructure portion of its capital spending program for 2011. The Company expects to invest a total of approximately $35 million during the year. Principal components of the program include:

1. Construction of a modern diesel shop and logistics center in Homestead, IA for $14 million to support its recently upgraded locomotive fleet;

2. Completion of a car repair shop, Maintenance of Way base, and train crew center in Silvis, IL for $1.3 million to support current and anticipated traffic growth;

3. Installation of 15 miles of new rail for $6.4 million; and

4. Replacement of ties and surfacing for $7.6 million.

To meet customer-specific needs and expansion, the Company also expects to spend $2 million on track spur improvements to a customer elevator in Atlantic, IA; $1 million in paving an intermodal facility in Council Bluffs, IA, and $1 million on yard improvements and construction of a new team track for transmodal expansion in Council Bluffs, IA.

Part of the required financing will be met with a bank loan and the balance will be generated from internal funds and utilization of the recently extended “45G” Tax Credit through 2011.

IAIS President & CEO Denny Miller commented, “While it is gratifying to see these improvements driven by traffic growth, it is important to note that we increased the infrastructure portion of our capital program from roughly $9.5 million to $14 million as a direct result of the extension of the 45G Tax Credit program into 2011. This program provides for tax credits tied to infrastructure investment in support of increased capacity, and we are making full use of it. Additional benefits to the regional economy will of course include increased employment and purchases from our suppliers, but this is first and foremost about infrastructure investment in support of growth.”

The Iowa Interstate Railroad, Ltd. is a privately held, regional railroad that operates across the Council Bluffs, Iowa to Chicago, IL corridor with a connection to Peoria, IL. It further provides freight rail service to the Quad Cities (IA and IL), Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City. For more information, please visit www.IAISRR.com.

Contact: Dennis Miller, President & CEO | DHMiller@IAISRR.com | Tel: (319) 298-5422 - FrankGrizel

IAIS to build new Locomotive Shop

Posted Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Press Release from IAIS dated Dec 16, 2010:

Cedar Rapids, Iowa-The Iowa Interstate Railroad Ltd. (IAIS) will begin construction of a new locomotive servicing facility next spring. The building will be located just west of Homestead, Ia on 62 acres of land.

President & CEO Dennis H. Miller commented: "Due to our purchase of larger locomotives over the past several years, we find it necessary to build a new "state of the art" facility to service them. The new building will be equipped with overhead cranes and underground walkways to increase safety and efficiency. We have asked the building architects to incorporate "green" design features into the building as well. The building will accommodate up to 5 large locomotives, as well as include a wash bay and wheel change station. We hope to complete the facility by the end of 2011. Approximately 40 people will be employed at the new site."

Founded in 1984, IAIS is a regional rail carrier operating 600 miles between Omaha, Nebraska, and Chicago, Illinois, with connections to all major Class 1 carriers. Its headquarters are located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Dennis Miller
President and CEO
Iowa Interstate Railroad Ltd. - FrankGrizel

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