Iowa River Railroad
| Reporting mark | IARR |
|---|---|
| Locale | Iowa |
| Dates of operation | 2006– |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Headquarters | Marshalltown, IA |
The Iowa River Railroad (IARR) operates freight service from Ackley, Iowa to just south of Abbott, Iowa, for a distance of about 15 miles. Traffic includes plastics, fertilizers and grain products. The line from there has been out of service and is the proposed Iowa River rail-trail to Marshalltown.
History
In June 2006, the IARR purchased from the UP and started operations of the Marshalltown Industrial Lead from Marshalltown, Iowa to Steamboat Rock, Iowa. In June 2006, the IARR also purchased from North Central Railway Association a rail line running between Steamboat Rock and Ackley, IA, which needed rehabilitation prior to operating over. Rehabilitation has been completed and the line is currently in use.
In 2012, the Iowa River Railroad filed to abandonment of line running from Steamboat Rock to Marshalltown with the Surface Transportation Board.
The same year, a request for imposition of a public use condition and issuance of an interim trail use for the line was filed on behalf of the conservation boards of both Marshall & Hardin Counties, as well as the Cities of Marshalltown, Union, Steamboat Rock, Liscomb, Eldora & Albion and the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation. The action was approved by the Surface Transportation Board.
The abandoned line will be turned into the "Iowa River Rail Trail" [1]
Connection
The IARR connects with the Canadian National (formerly Illinois Central) at Ackley. Before abandonment the line also connected with the Union Pacific Railroad at Marshalltown.
Motive Power
Current motive power consists of a lone GP30, #3004.
External links
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