I was out railfanning last night on a bicycle trail bridge over the UP, when an older gentleman bicycling the trail stopped and chatted for a bit- he shared that he had heard the Iowa Hawkeye Express (short-haul commuter train on the IAIS line for Hawkeye football games in Iowa City) would be using different equipment this year. Instead of the D&RGW Ski Train consist, the Hawkeye Express this year will be a former Metra loco pulling several bi-levels, and that the trainset is currently in Oelwein being painted in Hawkeye colors. Can you substantiate that rumor?
Yes. IANR has 5 bi-level coaches (they’re also looking for a cab control car for the other end) and an F40PH. The F40 is in the RI passenger scheme, and I think the cars are going to be black with gold striping. The cars are in Oelwein, none have been painted yet, and somebody thought the F40 is in Oelwein now, altho it is painted, just waiting for logos and stripes.
Congrats on being the IANR expert… [:P]
The only one on this forum[swg]
Thanks, dingoix! Sounds like they’re going to spruce things up alittle this year.
Thanks to the IANR yahoo group, I know the F40 is in Oelwein, primerily to provide the power so Transco can work on the passenger cars.