CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – February 13, 2026 – A new feature-length documentary, Revival and Redemption: Iowa Interstate at 40, offers an inside look at the growth of the Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS) as it celebrates its 40th anniversary.

Founded in 1984 during a period of transition and uncertainty for America’s rail industry, IAIS has grown from a startup regional line into a critical transportation corridor connecting Iowa and Illinois with the national rail network. The documentary explores this evolution, highlighting the people, vision, and determination that have shaped IAIS into the thriving freight carrier it is today. Through archival footage, newly filmed interviews, and on-the-rail action scenes, the documentary chronicles IAIS’s four decades of service: its early struggles, major turning points, expansions, and ongoing commitment to safety, efficiency, and customer service.

“This documentary is not just about trains – it’s about resilience,” said Henry Posner III, IAIS Chairman. “The Iowa Interstate Railroad represents what can happen when local leadership, passionate employees, and strong communities come together to preserve and enhance an essential transportation link.”

“IAIS being the thriving, critical link it is as part of North America’s freight rail network today is a story all on its own.  However, when you consider its entire history from the beginning, including the many dedicated leaders and employees who never abandoned the ship, it is a fascinating look at how a once dead railroad overcame all odds in the post-Staggers era of railroading,” said Joe Parsons, IAIS President.

Highlights of the documentary include:

• Rare footage of the railroad’s early years and the historic Rock Island Railroad lines it inherited
• Interviews with key personalities who founded, supported, and led IAIS to success
• A feature showcasing IAIS’s Chinese-built QJ 2-10-2 steam locomotives, which have become icons in the railroad preservation community
• A look at IAIS’s role in supporting Midwest agriculture, manufacturing, and international trade via connections to all Class I railroads and intermodal gateways
• Forward-looking insights into how IAIS is preparing for its next 40 years, including infrastructure upgrades, technology investments, and sustainable operations

“As I learned more about the history of the Iowa Interstate Railroad from past and present employees, it became clear how much determination, innovation, and teamwork was required to build the railroad into what it is today,” said Nicholas Ozorak, owner of Streamliner Media and director of the film. “I greatly appreciated working with Railroad Development Corporation and the Iowa Interstate Railroad team to share this story with a wider audience.”

A Tribute to the People Behind the Railroad

At its core, Revival and Redemption: Iowa Interstate at 40 celebrates the men and women who built, maintained, and operated the line over four decades. Their stories reveal the dedication and ingenuity that allowed IAIS to thrive during a challenging era for short-line and regional railroads.

Release Information

The film is now available on Iowa Interstate’s official YouTube channel – www.youtube.com/@iowainterstaterailroad

About Iowa Interstate Railroad

Founded in 1984, Iowa Interstate Railroad is a multi-generational family-owned Cedar Rapids-based Class-II regional railroad company operating a system of over 570 miles 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 six Class-I railroads.  In 2020, IAIS’s parent company, Railroad Development Corporation, formed a partnership with iCON Infrastructure to reinforce their strategy of leveraging the unique IAIS footprint as a platform for growth.  For more information about IAIS, please visit www.iaisrr.com.

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A “lifelong rail activist” and thought leader in freight and passenger rail, Posner was honored for more than four decades of service and innovation. His leadership has supported IAIS’s success and culture, helping it grow into one of the nation’s most connected and service-driven regional railroads.

To celebrate the occasion, IAIS brought its historic business car, the Hawkeye, to Union Station in Denver, where it hosted friends, family, and industry colleagues during the weeklong conference. The fully restored, Amtrak-certified heavyweight car is a symbol of the company’s commitment to honoring rail heritage while advancing modern operations.

“While it is hard to cram a lifetime of experience-OK, a partial lifetime, as I am far from retired-into eight minutes, this was a great opportunity to raise the consciousness of our industry peers on many subjects: safety, policy, education, and also about the willingness to fail, doing the right thing, and attracting the next generation. 

But most importantly, it was about family. IAIS is a family in its own way and is part of the RDC family of companies,” said Posner during his acceptance speech at the Short Line Railroad Hall of Fame induction, where he was introduced by his daughter and fellow IAIS board member, Ida Posner.

“And of course, my first railroad lifetime achievement was having Ida follow me into the industry eight years ago!”

In addition to honoring Posner’s contributions, IAIS was named 2025 Regional Railroad of the Year by Railway Age. The award highlights IAIS’s unique network position as the only Class II railroad in the U.S. with direct connections to all six Class I carriers, enabling broad market access from a single Midwest corridor. It also reflects the railroad’s safety culture, operational performance, infrastructure investments, and dedication to customer-first service.

Iowa Interstate Railroad also received the 2025 Environmental Award for its work developing the Newton Energy Rail Park, a facility built to support the wind energy sector. Located in one of the most active wind corridors in North America, the Newton site enables efficient rail movement of turbine blades and tower sections — reducing emissions and supporting clean energy supply chains across Iowa and the Upper Midwest.Together, these recognitions reflect IAIS’s ongoing investment in infrastructure, innovation, and environmental leadership — all made possible by the people who power the railroad each day.

About Iowa Interstate Railroad

Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS) operates nearly 600 miles of track between Omaha, Nebraska, and Chicago, Illinois, with intermodal terminals on both ends. Owned by Railroad Development Corporation (RDC) and iCON Infrastructure, IAIS provides freight service to agricultural, energy, and manufacturing customers while combining Class I connectivity with the service and flexibility of a regional carrier.

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IAIS would like to thank its safety and operations team members for their commitment and effort in bringing this project to completion.  Additionally, we extend our sincere gratitude to Raptor Tank Cleaning Systems for their exceptional work and generous donation of their cleaning services. Their contribution has been vital to ensuring the highest standards of safety and cleanliness.

To promote rail safety education, the new training tank car proudly displays the emblem of Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), a nationally recognized leader in rail safety education.

The IAIS training tank car is outfitted with state-of-the-art railcar telemetry technology, including GPS location and load status monitoring. This advanced technology enhances the safety and efficiency of our operations, demonstrating how real-time information can be supplied during emergencies.

IAIS Chief Safety and Sustainability Officer, Greg Wilson, stated, “This new hazmat training tank car, IAIS 0911, is a testament to our commitment to safety and community preparedness. It exemplifies our collaboration with first responders, business partners, and organizations like Operation Lifesaver to promote rail safety. We look forward to continuing our close work with emergency personnel across our network to support and enhance their training efforts.”

The introduction of this hazmat training tank car marks a significant milestone in IAIS’s ongoing commitment to the safety and well-being of the areas it serves. The company remains dedicated to working collaboratively to advance rail safety and education across the Iowa Interstate network.

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 six Class-I railroads. 

For more information about IAIS, please visit www.iaisrr.com.

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We express our gratitude to our Iowa and Illinois Congressional delegation, the Iowa and Illinois departments of transportation, and many others for their support of this project to further our continued commitment to better serve our customers and support our region’s economy.

The post FRA Awards Grant to Iowa Interstate appeared first on Iowa Interstate Railroad, LLC.

The post Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS) recognized by Newton Development Corporation for nearly $9M investment in new Renewable Energy Center of the Midwest opening in 2025 appeared first on Iowa Interstate Railroad, LLC.

IAIS Chairman Henry Posner III commented, “To describe Paul Banner as a visionary would be an understatement. The idea of a fourth main line – and an abandoned one at that – between Chicago and Omaha at the dawn of deregulation was considered by many to be delusional. We are proud to stand on his shoulders, which were extremely broad.”

“While we send our condolences to the family of Dr. Banner, we remember his many contributions to this company and are very thankful to be able to carry on his legacy.  Locomotive #519, named the “Paul H. Banner” to commemorate his 100^th birthday, serves as a reminder of our first Chairman as it moves freight on the line he helped to save”, added IAIS President, Joe Parsons. His enormous contribution to the restoration of the Rock Island’s core main line is his enduring legacy. IAIS expresses its sincere condolences to the Banner family and all those whose lives were touched by this industry visionary.

Dr. Banner’s service to the rail industry prior to IAIS included leadership roles at Southern Railway and the Rock Island.

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 six Class-I railroads.

For more information about IAIS, please visit www.iaisrr.com.

Media Contact: Annie Schaub
(319) 491-4465
aschaub@iaisrr.com

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The groundbreaking ceremony will take place on Wednesday, May 15^th, at 10:00 AM at the corner of N 33^rd Ave E & E 28^th St N, bringing together key stakeholders, community leaders, and project partners to celebrate the commencement of this pivotal project.

Key Features of the Renewable Energy Distribution Center:

• Green Energy Integration: The center will leverage the latest technologies to facilitate the efficient distribution of renewable energy sources, contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly future.
• Job Creation: The project is expected to support and create employment opportunities in the local community, fostering economic growth and providing skilled jobs in the renewable energy sector.
• Community Impact: IAIS is committed to community engagement and will actively collaborate with local organizations to ensure the positive impact of the center on the surrounding area.

“This project is the latest example in our proud history of consistently investing in our infrastructure on the Iowa Interstate Railroad to serve our customers’ needs. This new distribution center at Newton – a 100% private sector investment – will provide wind energy shippers a first-class facility to safely transload and store their components. With our unique connections to every Class I carrier, we are excited about the benefits our distribution center will provide to customers by enhancing wind energy supply chain efficiencies both into and out of Iowa,” said IAIS Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Carrie Evans.

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday, May 15, 2024 

Time: 10:00 AM

Location: N 33^rd Ave East & E 28^th St North (please park in the adjacent parking lot)

About Iowa Interstate Railroad

Founded in 1984, Iowa Interstate Railroad is a Cedar Rapids-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 six Class-I railroads. For more information about IAIS, please visit www.iaisrr.com.

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