IAIS Operations

Even equipped with all the maps, system timetables and frequencies for Iowa Interstate, even the best of railfans can have a bum day if they don't have a good grasp on how a railroad operates. Thanks to the efforts of Joe Atkinson and then updated/augmented by Nathan/Michael based on information gleaned from the IAIS list and personal observations, this should offer a glimpse into what moves and where on the IAIS system during the course of an average day.

Note that none of these times are exact, only general ranges on what's usually true. Times vary based on operational problems, crew availability, customer needs, etc. Also, on any given day, a train may be annulled or there might be a second section added - you just never know. The best way to get a feel for what's happening on a given day is to subscribe to the IAIS list on Yahoo Groups. Often lineups or sightings will be posted over the course of a day. However, always remember - safety always must come first when out railfanning.

For those that need a crash course in IAIS railfanning, your best bet for daylight action is around Iowa City. The West Train (BICB) will leave Rock Island in the morning hours and work west to IC. Depending on timing, RIIC may also be running back to Iowa City in the very first daylight hours. For those inclined for an eastbound train in the morning for better light, the East Train seems to be out of Newton around 1000h lately. IC will pass something like 4-8 trains during the average day - a west and an east train, the Cedar Rapids turn both out and back, possibly a Rock Island job coming back in the morning hours, and the Iowa City switcher out running around.

   REGULAR IAIS TRAINS
Symbol Description
CBBI Council Bluffs to Blue Island road train, aka "the east train". If everything's running on time, the expected departure schedule is:
  • 1400h - Council Bluffs, IA
  • 2000h - Earlham, IA
  • 2200h - Des Moines, IA
  • 0100h - Arrive Newton, IA
  • 0500h - Depart Newton, IA
  • 0800h - Arrive Iowa City, IA
  • 1000h - Depart Iowa City, IA
  • 1300h - Arrive Rock Island, IL
  • 1500h - Depart Rock Island, IL
  • 0030h - Rockdale, IL
Not called out of CB on Sundays, but instead originates out of Newton or Rock Island as NTBI or RIBI, respectively.
BICB Blue Island to Council Bluffs road train, aka "the west train". If everything's running on time, the expected departure schedule is:
  • 1400h - Blue Island, IL
  • 0000h - Arrive Rock Island, IL
  • 0500h - Depart Rock Island, IL
  • 0800h - Arrive Iowa City, IA
  • 1000h - Depart Iowa City, IA
  • 1300h - Arrive Newton, IA
  • 1600h - Depart Newton, IA
  • 2000h - Earlham, IA
  • 0100h - Arrive Council Bluffs, IA
Terminates at Newton on Sundays, forming a BINT leaving Blue Island on Saturdays.
RIPE Rock Island to Peoria - Runs almost daily late November to mid-March when the rivers are closed to barge traffic. Otherwise runs as needed and can run at any time.
PERI Peoria to Rock Island - Runs almost daily late November to mid-March when the rivers are closed to barge traffic. Otherwise runs as needed and can run at any time.
ICRI Iowa City/Rock Island Turn (eastbound) - Called for 2330h 7 days/week at Iowa City (temporary for summer 2006) Picks up the pre-blocked cars off the returning CRIC and ICRI simply "shotguns" all the cars to Rock Island to switch out, since Iowa City is a pain to switch in. Most of the cars are traffic from ADM or other Cedar Rapids industries. Westbound cars from CIC maybe cut out at IC and sent west on BICB, but for the most part all cars are run to Rock Island and sent out from there.
RIIC Iowa City/Rock Island Turn (westbound) - Departs whenever the ICRI work described above is complete. The flip-side of ICRI with the same crew, runs the Cedar Rapids traffic back to Iowa City for the CIC to take back. May switch some customers along the 1st sub, including Cenpeco in Walcott. Typically arrives back at Iowa City an between 0700-0900h.
PECR Peoria to Cedar Rapids coal train - Coal loads from CN at Peoria for Cedar Rapids over Crandic. Called as necessary when received from CN. IAIS power is typically used all the way to CR.
CRPE Cedar Rapids to Peoria coal train - Coal empties from Cedar Rapids to Peoria. Typically called out of CR around midnight.
ICCR Iowa City to Cedar Rapids road job - called for 1400h at Iowa City, 7 days/week (time may be temporary for summer 2006 maintenance) This train travels west to Yocum Connection, then up the Crandic ex-Milwaukee main through the Amanas to Cedar Rapids. It replaces the Crandic road job that used to run down to provide the same function. This essentially acts as an extension of the returning RIIC, taking cars on up to the Crandic interchange. This train typically draws the four 150s - the SD38-2s.
CRIC Cedar Rapids to Iowa City road job. After ICCR (see above) completes its work at Cedar Rapids, this is the return run to Iowa City.
CBSW Council Bluffs switcher. Called at 0600 seven days, 1600 Mon-Sat. Typically has IAIS 801 assigned. Works Bluffs yard and the UP and BNSF interchanges. CBSW 0600 crew often dogcatches BICB if they die on hours of service short of Bluffs. As necessary, that crew also uses the road power from that morning's BICB to make a turn to the elevators at Hancock and/or Atlantic, taking empty covered hoppers out and bringing loads back. These turns typically depart CB around 1230-1300 and return around 1800.
DMSW Des Moines switcher, aka "The Tramp" - Called at 0600. Works west to Earlham and east to Newton, works both the Grimes and Prairie City branches if need be, and does interchange with the NS/BNSF and UP.
NTSW Newton switcher - Called at 0700. Switches the intermodal ramp, Maytag, Ambassador Steel, Gralnek Brothers scrap spur, and gets CBBI ready for 1500 or 1600 departure.
ICSW Iowa City switcher - Called at 0400. Works the IC Yard and IC Industry Park, as well as out to Marengo. Will not standardly handle Wilton, Durant, or Walcott any longer (post 1-Aug-2004).
RISW Rock Island switcher - Called at 1000h. Works the Milan Branch, including the Andalusia line, Monday-Friday. Switches Midland Steel in Moline, Anchor Lumber in Silvis, and NRE in Silvis as needed. Will also make interchange runs to IC&E in Davenport. Nearly always has IAIS 250 assigned.
BUSW Bureau switcher, aka "The Rocket" - Called at 0700h, 7 days/week. Crew can be used on RIPE/PERI or PECR/CRPE trains. Mostly makes runs to Peoria with traffic dropped off by east and west trains. Usually switches sand pit at Chillicothe daily.
BISW Blue Island switcher - Called at 0700 seven days a week, also 1700 some days. BISW 0700 job pulls and delivers IHB interchange. Also switches Ozinga in Mokena if needed and goes to EJ&E at Joliet as necessary. Switches Reload center at Evans Yard. BISW 1700 job seems to finish up whatever 0700 job can't.