Twin State Environmental has opened Raptor® Tank Cleaning Services, a Railcar Cleaning facility for tank cars and hopper cars located in Durant, Iowa on the Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS) with connections to all US Class 1 carriers.  This new operation features the Raptor® Tank Cleaning System eliminating human confined space tank entry by incorporating automation and robotics to guarantee a superior clean.

Founder and Chief Technology Officer Scott Tinsman III stated, “the Raptor® was developed and engineered based on years of industry experience. It utilizes robotics and automation to ensure the complete removal of heel and build-up from hopper and tanker railcars.  This safe, economical and unique cleaning technology removes the need for anyone to enter a tank while it contains product. The Raptor® handles liquids, solids and sludge in all types of hazardous, non-hazardous and feed-stock materials including acid, asphalt, crude oil, vegetable oil, animal fats and tallow.”

With the ability to offer Kosher washes, Raptor® is strategically located in the Mid-West to service numerous customers including those following Kosher practices. Carrie Evans, vice president of sales and marketing for Iowa Interstate Railroad welcomes Twin State Environmental’s Raptor® Tank Cleaning Service cleaning operation to its diverse portfolio of existing customers on its line.  “This is a valuable service to many customers in the tank car industry and we are excited to have this ideally located option available,” said Evans.  

The Raptor® system can handle any amount of heel, even in excess of 10,000 pounds.  This new, safe and very efficient system minimizes cleaning time, maximizes shipment volume and reduces freight costs, changing railcar cleaning economics from a “have to” to a “want to” for many customers. 

“Our Raptor® Tank Cleaning System typically cleans a tank in hours allowing a railcar to return to service in days, not weeks,” stated Charles (Chip) Lee, Jr., Twin State Environmental President. 

Twin State Environmental also sells and installs Raptor® Tank Cleaning Systems and railcar cleaning equipment and engineered systems.  For more information, visit www.raptortank.com .

For additional information, contact Charles (Chip) Lee, Jr. at Clee@tsenv.com or 563-359-3624

The post New Rail Tank Cleaning Operation in Durant, Iowa Earns Kosher Wash Certification appeared first on Iowa Interstate Railroad, LLC.

“Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS) is the first and last mile of safe, quality freight transportation services connecting our customers in Iowa and Illinois to opportunities around the world.  The adoption of USMCA is a key step in preserving free and fair trade across North America.  The efficient flow of Iowa and Illinois products to Canada and Mexico is good for IAIS, but more importantly, it is good for our customers.  For this reason, IAIS supports and encourages the adoption of USMCA.”

IAIS is a member of the Association of American Railroads (AAR).  The AAR is also supporting adoption of USMCA and the AAR statement can be found here.

The post Iowa Interstate Railroad Supports Adoption of USMCA appeared first on Iowa Interstate Railroad, LLC.

IAIS President and CEO, Joe Parsons said “For over a decade, IAIS has invested heavily in infrastructure to support our customers and increase safety. The purchase of these locomotives will help us remain competitive and poised for the growth we are currently experiencing.”

Industrywide data makes clear the positive momentum IAIS and GE Transportation are facing. For the first 38 weeks of 2018, United States rail traffic was up 4.0 percent compared with 2017, according to the Association of American Railroads.

“Our technology solutions are driving improved productivity and reliability to IAIS’s fleet and helping this valued customer move freight more efficiently.” said Yuvbir Singh, GE Transportation’s Vice President of Equipment.

The agreement also includes equipping these new locomotives with GE Transportation’s GoLINC Platform, Trip Optimizer System, and Distributed Power LOCOTROL® to maximize train effectiveness and efficiency. These solutions are part of GE Transportation’s Train Performance product suite, which optimizes power distribution, train handling, brake control and fuel utilization. Additionally, these digital offerings will be installed on IAIS’s existing Evolution Series installed fleet of 17 locomotives.

“We are proud to partner again with GE Transportation,” said Parsons. “These locomotives and their digital technology will allow us to provide safe, quality transportation services in a way that enables our customers and our company to succeed.”

The GE Evolution Series locomotive meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) stringent emission standards without the use of any aftertreatment, enabling railroads to gain significant savings through urea infrastructure cost avoidance and reduced operational costs.

The post GE Transportation, Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS) Announce Locomotive Order appeared first on Iowa Interstate Railroad, LLC.

Joe Parsons joined Iowa Interstate in September of 2013 as Chief Operating Officer; he was promoted to General Manager in 2017. As President and CEO, Parsons is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the entire railroad, overseeing the transportation, engineering, and mechanical departments, as well as administration departments.

Prior to joining the Iowa Interstate Railroad, Parsons had over 10 years of railroad management experience at both Class I and short line railroads. Parsons began his railroad management career with Norfolk Southern in the Transportation department working in various locations. He eventually was promoted to Terminal Superintendent in Cincinnati, Ohio.

In 2011, Parsons accepted the position of Assistant General Manager with the Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern Railroad and later served as that carrier’s General Manager.

IAIS Chairman Henry Posner III commented, “Joe’s performance as General Manager confirmed his dedication to safety, lifelong learning, and traffic growth”. Bob Pietrandrea, President of IAIS owner Railroad Development Corp. added, “Joe has proven himself as the natural successor for leadership of the IAIS management team”.

Parsons holds a Bachelor’s degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Iowa Tippie College of Business.

The post Joe Parsons Promoted to President and CEO appeared first on Iowa Interstate Railroad, LLC.

The terminal is served by the Iowa Interstate Railroad and has access to all Class I carriers as well as easy access to I-80 and I-29.

Commodities handled at the terminal include lumber, steel, shingles, ethanol, corn oil, and grain. The 5-acre site has 15 railcar spots and IAIS can build and disassemble unit trains. Services provided at the terminal include the handling of bulk (dry/liquid) and breakbulk products – 36k lb. forklift capacity, outdoor storage, and local trucking services.

Click here for more information.

“Iowa Interstate Railroad is proud to partner with Watco by providing safe, efficient service to the Council Bluffs Transload Facility and by improving supply chain options to the Omaha area.” -Joseph Parsons

The post Watco Partners with IAIS to Develop the Council Bluffs Terminal appeared first on Iowa Interstate Railroad, LLC.

IAIS Chairman Henry Posner III commented, “The Board has been focused, second only to Safety, on the creation of an environment conducive to the evolution of a Next Generation of leadership. With the promotion of Joe Parsons to General Manager, this completes a succession plan that has been underway for some time and reflects the emerging leadership role that he has held within the company”.

Joe Parsons joined Iowa Interstate in September of 2013 as Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining the Iowa Interstate, he had 10 years of railroad management experience at both Class I and short line railroads. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Iowa.

Posner added, “At the same time, Jerry closes out a distinguished railway career spanning 27 years, including 10 years at Iowa Interstate, the last 6 of which he has served as President. Jerry’s leadership has brought unprecedented levels of stability, safety, investment and growth, and he leaves the company well-positioned for the Next Generation.”

Mr. Parsons commented, “I look forward to the future here at Iowa Interstate and am committed to maintaining Jerry’s legacy- the promotion of safety for IAIS’ employees as well as the general public, and great service to our customers.”

Contact: Bobbi Allen, Director of H.R.
Telephone: (319) 298 5402
E-mail: bjallen@iaisrr.com

The post Iowa Interstate Railroad Announces Leadership Transition appeared first on Iowa Interstate Railroad, LLC.

Al began his employment with us in October of 2008 as Illinois Superintendent and was promoted to Chief Transportation Officer in 2010. Al began his railroad career with the Southern Pacific Railroad in Train Service in 1992. He then progressed in his career to the Terminal Manager for the Union Pacific Railroad. Al has held the positions of Terminal Superintendent for Peoria & Pekin Union, General Manager and Assistant Regional Vice President for Rail America’s Heartland Region. Al also worked for Omni Trax – Illinois Railway for one year as General Manager overseeing all departments before he took the position of Manager of Special Projects for H & H Trackworks, Inc.

Mike Stuver will take on the responsibility of Chief Transportation Officer reporting to Al. Mike will have the responsibility for the safe and efficient movement of freight across the entire system.
As a result of the aforementioned promotions, the system will be realigned into the Iowa and Illinois Divisions.

Derek Mead has accepted the position of the Iowa Division Superintendent. Jim Keatts has accepted the position of the Iowa Division Road Foreman of Engines.

Darby Destromp has accepted the position of the Illinois Division Superintendent. Brandon Pregler has accepted the position of the Illinois Division Road Foreman of Engines. As a result, we will begin recruiting for the position of Trainmaster in Silvis.

The post Al Satunas Accepts Position of Chief Operating Officer appeared first on Iowa Interstate Railroad, LLC.