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Study: Iowa Interstate best route for cross Iowa passenger service
This one was sort of a no-brainer–obviously, the best passenger route across Iowa is the ex-Rock Island line through Des Moines, once the connection to BNSF at Wyanet is in place. The only real issue is the cost of upgrading the line to plausible passenger train speeds.
This one was sort of a no-brainer–obviously, the best passenger route across Iowa is the ex-Rock Island line through Des Moines, once the connection to BNSF at Wyanet is in place. The only real issue is the cost of upgrading the line to plausible passenger train speeds.
Iowa Interstate would be a good choice for the “California Zephyr” reroute. There is much less traffic with only two
through freights from Bereau, Ill to Council Bluffs, Ia daily (BICB and CBBI) with and a few local and ethanol movements
in eastern Iowa and Illinois plus some activity in Council Bluffs
as well. BNSF’s main in southern Iowa also lies in a flood prone area and disrupts service quite often along with much heavier freight traffic than Iowa Interstate’s line. IAIS’s route is much shorter between Chicago and Omaha but would need more upgrading to meet Amtrak’s standards on track speed.
The Rock Island clearly had and has the and shortest best route across Iowa hitting most of its largest cities. If decent or even high speed rail had been conceived and developed by rail and government readers anytime after the Rock Island went down, we could have built such decades ago, given tens of thousands a fast ride in competition with I-80 and saved “tons” of money.
The possiblities are still there but it will take the vision and dedication that too many of our national leaders do not presently have. I predict that we will have it in my lifetime (or beyond, when it will cost far more money).
The Rock Island clearly had and has the and shortest best route across Iowa hitting most of its largest cities. If decent or even high speed rail had been conceived and developed by rail and government readers anytime after the Rock Island went down, we could have built such decades ago, given tens of thousands a fast ride in competition with I-80 and saved “tons” of money.
The possiblities are still there but it will take the vision and dedication that too many of our national leaders do not presently have. I predict that we will have it in my lifetime (or beyond, when it will cost far more money).
The Rock Island clearly had and has the and shortest best route across Iowa hitting most of its largest cities. If decent or even high speed rail had been conceived and developed by rail and government readers anytime after the Rock Island went down, we could have built such decades ago, given tens of thousands a fast ride in competition with I-80 and saved “tons” of money.
The possiblities are still there but it will take the vision and dedication that too many of our national leaders do not presently have. I predict that we will have it in my lifetime (or beyond, when it will cost far more money).
The Rock Island clearly had and has the and shortest best route across Iowa hitting most of its largest cities. If decent or even high speed rail had been conceived and developed by rail and government readers anytime after the Rock Island went down, we could have built such decades ago, given tens of thousands a fast ride in competition with I-80 and saved “tons” of money.
The possiblities are still there but it will take the vision and dedication that too many of our national leaders do not presently have. I predict that we will have it in my lifetime (or beyond, when it will cost far more money).
Wow I bet you they spent millions of dollars on this study. Anybody with 20/20 vision and a lick of common sense could of figured this route out in under 30 seconds! The Iowa Interstate doesnt have that much traffic on there to start with. Upgrade the signals slap in a few sidings and it’s ready to go!
I’m curious what the route that “…was largely abandoned 30 years ago…” is? The former MILW line across Iowa?
If memory serves, the other lines would be the UP (ex CNW) line, the BNSF line, and a CN (ex-IC) line?
It a great start in replacing passenger service where it is most need for the traveling public… especially across Illinois and Iowa to Omaho Nebraska…
Like Eric from Texas, I’m wondering what abandoned line is meant, and would also guess the ex-Milwaukee. It seems like the best bet, even though its routing appeared to dodge the major cities en route.
The old CGW (almost completely ripped out) wouldn’t be much of a candidate; nor would the Wabash, meandering down through the northern edge of Missouri.
I think the California Zephyr should stay put, as it serves several southern Iowa communities with limited transportation options. As for extending the line across to Omaha on the Iowa Interstate, it would be an economic benefit. Presently, though, talk has been to develop passenger service from the Quad Cities to Iowa City, about 60 miles initially. Our state government hasn’t been willing to take this project seriously, but there is talk of replacing an aging freeway interchange for $300 million! I’m not opposed to highway improvements, but at the current rail cost estimate [$3 million/year], that would fund rail to Iowa City for 100 years! I am a railfan, but still believe we need to be developing energy-efficient transportation alternatives for the future.
and lets get even more dreams going and restore Peoria -Chicago on the old Rock...also Iowa Interstate...more railroad jobs...more towns to serve on the old Rock main Bureau Jct-Joliet. We could even use a corner of the Rock Island station in Peoria...theres parking and a new Lakeview museum/Caterpillar cultural center for tourists…and more in the metro Peoria area!!!
The only way for Funding to happen, for this improvement, is thru Des Moines. The rest of the state receives only the Funds left over, after Des Moines. Bring back the Land Of Corn.
Last time I checked, the California Zephyr stopped in Ottumwa, IA, between Mt.Pleasant and Osceola. Did Amtrak dropped it??
I think We should put Amtrak all the way through Iowa on Iowa interstates route, it will be awesome rail fanning, serving huge cities like davenport Iowa city, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, so on. Amtrak should pay for it if Iowa Doesn’t it will probably Increase traffic on IAIS to. I really think they should do it, it increases jobs and Rail Way Improvement. I’m A republican and they don’t like spending money on this stuff, but im a huge rail fan so i got to disagree with Branstad on this issue.