Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS) has released a documentary offering an inside look at its evolution—from the “challenging early years,” the Railroad Development Corporation (RDC)-owned Class II said on social media, “to its growth into a vital Midwestern freight corridor connecting Iowa and Illinois with the national rail network.”
Through archival footage, newly recorded interviews, and “on‑the‑rail action” scenes, “Revival and Redemption: Iowa Interstate at 40” pays tribute to the people who shaped the railroad, which celebrated 40 years of service in 2024 and was named Railway Age’s Regional of the Year in 2025. (Scroll down to watch the nearly 35-minute film, produced by Streamliner Media.)
IAIS was established in 1984 on former Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad tracks between Chicago and Omaha four years after the Rock Island shut down. The railroad was originally a partnership with Heartland Rail Corporation, which purchased the right-of-way and infrastructure for $31 million, $15 million of which was an Iowa Railway Finance Authority loan, and then leased to IAIS. RDC acquired IAIS from Heartland in 2003.
IAIS is now a multi-generational family-owned and Cedar Rapids-based railroad operating a system of more than 570 miles in the Midwest region between Chicago, Peoria, and the Omaha areas (see map above). It is one of the only Class II’s in the country that interchanges with all six Class I’s. In 2020, RDC formed a partnership with iCON Infrastructure “to reinforce their strategy of leveraging the unique IAIS footprint as a platform for growth,” it said.
Highlights of the new documentary include:
- “Rare footage of the railroad’s early years and the historic Rock Island Railroad lines it inherited.
- “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.”
“This documentary is not just about trains—it’s about resilience,” IAIS Chairman Henry Posner III said in the Feb. 13 announcement of the film’s release. “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,” IAIS President Joe Parsons added. “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.”
“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,” noted 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.”
