With increased interest from recent media reports, Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS) reiterates our long-standing commitment to and collaboration with local, state, and federal stakeholders to work towards reinstating passenger rail between Chicago and the Quad-Cities. We have always been and continue to be committed to working with IDOT to bring our 50 miles of freight railroad in line with the higher safety requirements required for passenger railroad infrastructure.  We have met with Amtrak, IDOT, and many other stakeholders, both here at home and in Washington D.C. We continue to engage IDOT in a manner consistent with the parties’ agreement and await their response to our latest submission. We will continue in good faith to abide by the signed agreement with IDOT that neither party will unilaterally publicly discuss the details of this project.

Cedar Rapids, IA – Iowa Interstate Railroad, LLC (IAIS) today announced its recent purchase of approximately 30 acres at Iowa City’s Industrial Campus to develop a new rail to truck transloading facility. The site, located on the southeast side of Iowa City and including an existing rail spur, connects to the 573-mile IAIS network, providing shippers with direct access to all 7 Class-I Railroads and numerous short line railroads. The site is conveniently located to I-80, US 6, and US 218.

Transloading of commodities between transportation modes is a growing segment of the national supply chain; IAIS is proud to provide another option in the Iowa City / Cedar Rapids corridor to shippers lacking direct access to rail service. Shippers can utilize this additional optionality to leverage multiple modes and connecting rail gateways to drive value to the end user.

“As part of our continuing growth strategy, Iowa Interstate Railroad is excited to have successfully acquired this parcel from our friends and neighbors at the City of Iowa City for the development of this new transloading facility. As we have seen with the numerous other transloading sites existing along our network, these facilities provide significant value to our customers and open the door for many other companies to become rail shippers,” said Joe Parsons, IAIS President and CEO.

Rail transportation is the most fuel-efficient way to move freight over land. The City, by partnering with IAIS to develop this facility, recognizes this increased fuel-efficiency both reduces shippers’ long haul freight costs and provides public environmental benefits. According to the EPA, moving freight by rail versus truck lowers greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75%. In 2021, IAIS joined the EPA SmartWay Transport Partnership, demonstrating its strong environmental leadership and corporate responsibility.

“The City is proud to partner with Iowa Interstate Railroad on this project, which will both support existing industry and help attract new business to the Iowa City area. The transportation sector accounts for a third of all greenhouse gas emissions nationally and a quarter of our emissions locally. Projects like this are an excellent example of how actions on the local level contribute to solutions at a larger scale. As we look for ways to continue to bolster our economy while making significant progress towards achieving our climate action goals, this partnership reflects the values and collaborative spirit of Iowa City,” said City Manager Geoff Fruin.

Founded in 1984, Iowa Interstate Railroad is a Cedar Rapids, IA, based Class-II regional railroad company operating in the Midwest region between Chicago, Peoria, and the Omaha areas. It is one of the only regional railroads in the country with direct connections to all 7 Class-I railroads.

For more information about IAIS, please visit www.iaisrr.com.
For information about the City of Iowa City, please visit www.icgov.org.

Concurrent with the operation of a special train on October 18 honoring the retirement of Robert A “Bob” Pietrandrea from his position as President of Railroad Development Corp. (RDC), the Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS) has taken the opportunity to name its Silvis yard in his honor.

IAIS & RDC Chairman Henry Posner III commented, “While Bob has retired from his job as President of RDC, he remains a board member of IAIS. He set the tone for the trajectory of the company with his focus on investing in both our people and facilities, and this is reflected in Silvis, which as our eastern gateway also represents growth and connectivity.”

IAIS President Joe Parsons added, “We have continued to add tracks on the footprint of what was at one time the Rock Island’s most important hump yard and eastern gateway. We do blocking for both the Chicago and Peoria gateways at Silvis, and it was also our first major new-build facility with our combination car repair shop and yard office. With that significance to the IAIS system in mind,

naming this key facility after Bob is only natural due to his many contributions over the years that allowed IAIS to not only survive, but thrive.”

IAIS director and iCON Partner Rory Hunter concluded, “Bob’s involvement was critical to getting the IAIS to where it is today, and a key element of our investment in the company. We are proud to be part of the recognition of his contributions through the dedication of Pietrandrea Yard. We look forward to having Bob on the IAIS Board for many years to
come.”

For these reasons the IAIS board at its October 19 meeting formerly affirmed the naming of Silvis yard as Pietrandrea Yard.

RDC (www.rrdc.com) is a family-owned railway investment and management company based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Its business model is based on partnerships, including interests in the Iowa Interstate Railroad; Peru’s Ferrocarril Central Andino; UK Battery train manufacturer Vivarail; German passenger & freight rail operator RDC Deutschland; French first/last mile freight operator RegioRail; and Belgium-based multimodal logistics integrator Eurorail. In addition, RDC is now launching Pop-Up Metro in North America, an innovative approach to fast-start transit deploying battery trains on existing light-density freight rail lines. For further information, please contact: Henry Posner III, Chairman t: +1 (412) 928-7704 RDC e: hposneriii@rrdc.com.

Cedar Rapids, IA – Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS) is proud to announce that Carrie Evans, Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, was elected as President of the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers (MARS) at the conclusion of their recent Winter Meeting in Lombard, IL.   Carrie had served as Vice President on the MARS Board of Directors for the past several years.   Joe Parsons, IAIS President and CEO commented: “Carrie’s election to President of MARS is a clear vote of confidence by the rail industry in her demonstrated abilities and another great achievement in a very successful railroad career.”   Carrie will begin her first official acts as President in July at the upcoming 2022 MARS Summer Meeting at Lake Geneva, WI. 

Left: ASLRRA representatives (back row, L to R) Chuck Baker and Sarah Yurasko, along with (front row L to R) Crystal Gitchell and Jo Strang pose with ASLRRA member Henry Posner, III (top right) in front of an Amtrak locomotive commemorating Operation Lifesaver’s 50th anniversary. Strang, who is also OLI’s board chair, spoke at the locomotive’s unveiling today at Union Station. (Photo from Views & News, ASLRRA)

IAIS Chairman, Henry Posner III, was present at Union Station in Washington, D.C. on January 12, 2022 to witness the unveiling of the Operation Lifesaver commemorative Amtrak Locomotive. Operation Lifesaver is celebrating its 50th anniversary in a yearlong celebration in 2022. The Locomotive is painted in a custom paint scheme with the organization’s slogan on the side, “See Tracks? Thank Train!”.

Operation LifeSaver (OLI) is a non – profit organization that was established in 1972 to address the rising number of Highway Grade Crossing accidents. BY 1986 this non-profit expanded to help support and coordinate the efforts of Operation Lifesaver Nationwide. Today this program is sponsored by various federal, state, and local agencies, as well as America’s railroad systems.

IAIS Chairman, Henry Posner III, continues his support through funding, grants and volunteering. This effort assists in the creation of media related resources, distribution of resources and education.

Left: OLI’s commemorative locomotive is painted in a custom black and yellow color scheme with one of the organization’s slogans on the side, “See Tracks? Think Train!” (Photo from media.amtrak.com)

See the full details at https://oli.org/about-us/news/amtrak-unveils-commemorative-operation-lifesaver-50th-anniversary-locomotive

Chairman Martin J. Oberman and Board Member Michelle A. Schultz traveled to important segments of the nation’s rail network last week.

The Iowa Interstate Railroad is pleased to announce that Allen Polfer has accepted the position of Chief Financial Officer effective June 1, 2021 reporting to Joe Parsons, President / CEO. As CFO, Allen is responsible for the overall management of the Accounting department.

Allen began his career with us in March of 2017 as Controller. He started his finance and accounting career with GMAC Mortgage as a Loan Counselor. After receiving his B.A. in Accounting at the University of Northern Iowa and successfully becoming a Certified Public Accountant he began auditing at Deloitte & Touche LLP and worked there for two years before accepting a position with BerganKVD, working there as a senior auditor before accepting employment with us in March of 2017.

Allen also has a B.A. in Finance and Real Estate.

Cathy Smith, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has announced she will retire effective May 31, 2021, after an 18-year career in railroading. Over the years she held various management positions within IAIS including Controller, VP of Finance and Accounting, and most recently, V.P. and Chief Financial Officer. Cathy also served as the Secretary for Iowa Interstate’s Board of Directors since 2012. Her contributions to Iowa Interstate’s success during her career were many and she is to be commended for her years of hard work and dedication.

Cathy began her accounting career in 1986 working for a start-up company which would eventually become McLeod*USA. She held various management positions in Accounting, Production and Sales Operations where her primary responsibilities included performing the due diligence process to analyze the viability of over 60 company acquisitions during her 15 year tenure. She held the position of VP of Sales Operations when she left the company.

Cathy graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a BA degree in Accounting and achieved her goal of becoming a Certified Public Accountant in 2003.

Cathy is looking forward to spending time with her daughters and their families, fishing with her husband, Bert and some much-needed quiet time in her “She Room”.

Allen Polfer has served as our Controller since he was hired in March of 2017 and he has accepted the promotion of Chief Financial Officer as of June 1, 2021.

All of us at IAIS wish Cathy the best in retirement!