Iowa Interstate Railroad and Amtrak are intending jointly to launch conventional-speed (79 mph) passenger service between Chicago and Iowa City over a previously abandoned rail line, reports progressiverailroading.com.
The proposed service, reported progressiverailroading.com, has been approved by the Federal Railroad Administration, but is not expected to begin prior to 2013.
Progressiverailroading.com quoted Iowa Interstate CEO Dennis Miller that the railroad has “spent many hours working with local community leaders, the states of Iowa and Illinois, and Amtrak to make sure that if this service was approved, we could handle it in conjunction with our existing and growing freight business.”
Perhaps contradicting many Class I freight CEOs — who are cool about expanding passenger service over freight railroad track — Iowa Interstate Chairman Henry Posner III, a former Conrail executive, was quoted by progressiverailroading.com that, “The lesson here is that a healthy freight network is the single most important building block for passenger service.”
Related News
- Longtime ally of union workers elected minority leader of Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Material Subcommittee
- FRA Administrator Amit Bose Honored as He Steps Down
- PRESS RELEASE: SMART-TD Helps Secure Crucial Win For Worker Safety
- Railroad Retirement Board Announces Enactment of Railroad Employee Equity and Fairness Act (REEF)
- Metra Workers Receive High Praise From Chicagoans
- Hotel Registration Deadline Approaching For Dallas Regional Training!
- Mercer County gains a new champion to fight for transit access: SMART-TD Brother Ron Sabol
- Local 1706 ratifies new agreement with Zum Transportation
- Union organizes holiday cheer throughout the nation
- After spending four decades representing workers, Brodar prepares for a new chapter