Iowa's Rail System

• In Iowa, 3,947 miles of rail freight track are operated and served by 19 railroad companies. Four of these rail carriers are major national companies that operate 59 percent of Iowa's total route miles. (2008)
• Of the 15 smaller railroads, five operate in Iowa and nearby states, while 10 operate only in Iowa. These regional and local railroads serve 41 percent of Iowa route miles and transport 28 percent of Iowa rail shipments. (2008)
• The Union Pacific Railroad (UP) is the dominant carrier in Iowa. UP owns or leases 1,341 miles of track in the state or 34 percent of the total trackage. (2008)
• Iowa railroads serve 90 out of 99 counties, 407 out of 947 cities, 43 out of 60 river terminals, and 444 out of 871 grain elevators. (2006)
• Rail accounts for only 3 percent of Iowa's 130,000-mile freight system (highways, rail lines, pipelines, and navigable waterways), but carries 43 percent of Iowa's freight. (2001 Reebie Data)
• Between the years 1985 and 2008, traffic volumes have increased by 150 percent in rail car miles and 222 percent in net rail ton-miles. (2008)
• There have been approximately 3,754 miles of track abandoned in Iowa since 1975 as Iowa's rail industry has continued to reorganize. (2008)