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Small towns should pay attention to large rail company’s plans
David Smalley
Mar. 10, 2024 6:00 am
Canadian National Railway has filed with the surface transportation regulators to purchase the Iowa Northern Railroad which runs between Cedar Rapids and the Waterloo area. CN operates main line tracks through Waterloo, so it would connect to the Iowa Northern there.
CN currently operates a rail line into Cedar Rapids from Manchester, Iowa. If CN is successful in their purchase of Iowa Northern, I look for Canadian National to file to abandon their current line between Manchester and Cedar Rapids, since the line would be considered redundant. I don't know how much local business is along the Cedar Rapids and Manchester line, but Alburnett, Central City, Coggon and Ryan should take note.
David Smalley
Anamosa
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