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
- I’m Not Qualified =’s I’m Not Doing It!
- Train Lengths Would Be Capped Under New Arizona Bill
- Senate Hearing Highlights the Good, the Bad, and The Ugly of RRB
- On-Duty Assault Leaves Amtrak Conductor Facing Financial Hardship
- Transit Equity Day: Remembering Rosa Parks
- Railroads Have Short Memories: East Palestine 3 Years Later
- RIDER Safety ACT Aims to Curb Transit Assaults Nationwide
- Rail Safety Is Too Important For Corporate Discretion
- Virginia 2-PC Law Could Become a Reality if We Act Now
- WATCH: Members Step Up to Take Care of Their Own