The Iowa Interstate, Operating Ex-Rock Island Lines

The railroad has its beginnings in 1984 when it took over trackage originally belonging to the Rock Island, a venerable granger line that eventually shutdown in 1980 when the courts deemed the railroad was in too poor condition to remain operating even under bankruptcy protection. Naturally, being located in America’s breadbasket the Iowa Interstate derives a large amount of its traffic on agricultural products. However, the railroad is diversified in other traffic as well such as chemicals, metals, and other general merchandise.

To give a brief history of the former railroad whose lines make up much of the Iowa Interstate system the Rock Island was a legend even during its own time (the railroad even had a song named after it!). And perhaps this is what makes its ending so depressing. For all of the railroad’s fame and recognition, this did not translate into wealth and power. Several times throughout the railroad’s history it would go into receivership, its last in 1975 when it would be liquidated five years later in 1980.

The “unofficial” end for the Rock Island began in 1964 when the Union Pacific approached the railroad interested in merger. What resulted was an extremely drawn out and complicated proposal that would end in the Interstate Commerce Commission changing its policies on future proposals to take much less time to complete. After ten years of proceedings the ICC finally granted the Union Pacific the right to merge with the Rock Island. However, there were so many stipulations attached coupled with the fact that after ten years of proceedings the Rock Island had literally fallen apart that not only did the Union Pacific not want it but also no other railroad.

After the Union Pacific declined its offer to merge with the Rock Island the railroad continued operating for the next few years as management desperately tried to improve the railroad’s situation, even going so far as applying a new sky blue and white image known as “The Rock” and embargoing all lines that were unprofitable. The end for the Rock Island came in the late 1970s when a labor dispute (caused by management’s unwillingness to give pay increases to its labor force) and resulting strike literally shutdown the company and it was unable to earn any kind of profits.

Currently the Iowa Interstate’s roster consists entirely of EMD Geeps save for a SW1200 switcher and a few SD38-2s. The below roster is courtesy of The Diesel Shop:

#150-153 - EMD SD38-2: Ex-LLPX

#250 - EMD SW1200

#400 - EMD GP7M

#485 - EMD GP11: Ex-Illinois Central

#495 - EMD SD40-2: Ex-Union Pacific, ex-Missouri Pacific

#3501 - EMD GP16: Ex-CSX, ex-Seaboard, ex-Western Alabama

#600-604 - EMD GP38

#625-628 - EMD GP38AC: Ex-Illinois Central

#700-721 - EMD GP38-2

The Iowa Interstate's current system stretches from Omaha, Nebraska to Chicago, which is its primary route. The railroad also operates three branches: from west to east the first stretches from Atlantic, north to Harlan, Iowa; the second from Des Moines, north to Grimes, Iowa; and the last from Bureau, south to Peoria, Illinois.

Because the Iowa Interstate is unique in having connections with all seven of the current Class I systems, railfanning the railroad is quite interesting and exciting to say the least!

For more reading on Regionals like the Iowa Interstate consider the book Regional Railroads of the Midwest by Steve Glischinksi. Along with featuring the Iowa Interstate the book covers over Regionals including the "Chicago Central Pacific; Dakota, Minnesota Eastern; Escanaba Lake Superior; Iowa, Chicago Eastern; Indiana Rail Road; Kyle Railroad; Red River Valley Western; Twin Cities Western; Toledo, Peoria Western; Wisconsin Central; and Wisconsin Southern" with plenty of photographs and information about each. If you have an interest in smaller carriers like Regionals, and/or are interested in learning more about their operations, you will almost surely enjoy the book. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing this book please visit The Railroad Diamond by clicking the tab in the menu to your left marked "TRD Store".