Freight Rail Profiles

Iowa has a robust and thriving rail transportation system that has17 operating railroads and 3,801 miles of mainline track. Stretched end to end, that length is equivalent to the distance from Iowa to Ireland. This system is a critical component of Iowa’s agriculture and manufacturing economies and allows Iowa businesses to send or receive shipments around the world through connections with the multimodal transportation system.  Individual profiles that include key physical and operational characteristics for each railroad are available below. 

Most revenue from rail service is generated by five Class I carriers. Union Pacific and BNSF carry the highest traffic volumes, operating on approximately 2,000 miles of total track in Iowa, including double tracks running east and west.

Class II and III railroads typically provide feeder service to Class I carriers. Iowa has one Class II railroad, Iowa Interstate Railroad, which has over 300 miles of track. Class III railroads have two operating categories – line haul and switching – that facilitate the interchange of rail shipments in urban areas. Switch operators are typically associated with Class I railroads and are common within Class III operations.

 

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BNSF Railway Company (BNSF)

BNSF Railway Company Profile

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Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad (BSV)

Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad Profile

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Burlington Junction Railroad (BJRY)

Burlington Junction Railroad Profile

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Canadian Pacific Kansas City Railway (CPKC)

CPKC Railway Profile

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CBEC Railway, Inc. (CBEC)

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Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway Co. (CRANDIC; CIC)

Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railway Profile

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Cedar River Railroad Company (CEDR)(CN)

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Chicago, Central and Pacific Raiload (CCP)(CN)

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Canadian National Railroad (CN)

Canadian National Railway Profile

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D & I Railroad (DAIR)

D & I Profile

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D & W Railroad (IANR)

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Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad (DME)

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Iowa Interstate Railroad Company (IAIS)

Iowa Interstate Railroad Profile

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Iowa Northern Railway Company (IANR)

Iowa Northern Railway Company Profile

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Iowa River Railroad (IARR)

Iowa River Railroad Profile

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Iowa Traction Railroad (IATR)

Iowa Traction Railway Profile

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Keokuk Junction Railroad Company (KJRY)

Keokuk Junction Railroad Company Profile

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Norfolk Southern Railway Company (NS)

Norfolk Southern Profile

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Union Pacific Railroad Company (UP)

Union Pacific Railroad Profile

  • Class I railroads include the largest freight-hauling railroads. The rail lines of the seven Class I railroads span the North American continent.
  • Regional railroads are midsize freight-hauling railroads that normally operate at least 350 miles of track and may span multiple states.
  • Short line railroads are smaller railroads that include local railroads as well as railroads that primarily do car switching.
  • Tourist railroads offer passenger rides usually in restored historic rail equipment and often accompanied by an on-site  museum.
  • Class I railroads include the largest freight-hauling railroads. The rail lines of the seven Class I railroads span the North American continent.
  • Regional railroads are midsize freight-hauling railroads that normally operate at least 350 miles of track and may span multiple states.
  • Short line railroads are smaller railroads that include local railroads as well as railroads that primarily do car switching.
  • Tourist railroads offer passenger rides usually in restored historic rail equipment and often accompanied by an on-site  museum.
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