Passenger rail resources
Feasibility studies
- American Recovery and Reinvestment Act - Rail Program Amtrak and intercity passenger rail capital investment programs.
- Feasibility Report on Proposed Amtrak Service - Quad Cities - Iowa City, Release date April 18, 2008
- Feasibility Report on Proposed Amtrak Service - Chicago-Quad Cities (Executive. Summary), Jan. 7, 2008
- Feasibility Report on Proposed Amtrak Service Chicago-Rockford-Galena-Dubuque, June 22, 2007
- Cedar-Iowa River Rail Transit Project Feasibility Study, Nov. 9, 2006
Midwest Regional Rail Initiative
The Midwest Regional Rail Initiative (MWRRI) is a cooperative, multi-agency effort that began in 1996 and involves nine Midwest states (Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin) as well as the Federal Railroad Administration.- Executive Report - September 2004
- a plan to improve and expand passenger rail service in the Midwest - Benefiting Iowa's Economy - a brochure summarizing the benefits to Iowa of the MWRRI (2006)
- Economic Benefits of the Midwest Regional Rail System - an eight-page pamphlet summarizing the benefits of the MWRRI (2006)
- Midwest Regional Rail System Midwest Regional Rail Initiative Benefit Cost & Economic Analysis - November 2006 - an examination of the economic impact of implementing the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative (MWRRI)
- Iowa Rail Route Alternatives Analysis (1998)- evaluates the potential for rail passenger service on three key routes in Iowa Summary of the report
Rail reports
- Intercity Passenger Rail Transportation, 2008 Update, American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials - an update to the 2002 report
- Benefiting Iowa's Economy - a brochure summarizing the benefits to Iowa of the MWRRI (2006)
- Vision for the Future: U.S. intercity passenger rail network through 2050 - the report of the Passenger Rail Working Group for the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission, December 2007
Passenger rail organizations
- American Recovery and Reinvestment Act - Rail Program - Amtrak and intercity passenger rail capital investment programs.
- Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission
- Benefiting Iowa's Economy
- Iowa Association of Railroad Passengers
Passenger rail news
- American Recovery and Reinvestment Act - Rail Program- Amtrak and intercity passenger rail capital investment programs.
- Amtrak Releases Feasibility Study of State-Supported Rail Service to Illinois Quad Cities Jan. 7, 2008
- Annual Amtrak Ridership Sets All-Time Record; Fifth Straight Year of Increases, Oct. 23, 2007
- Amtrak, Union Pacific Reach Agreement for Passenger Train Performance Plan, June 20, 2007
Excursion or tourist railroads
Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad (BSV), located in Boone, IA is a railroad museum and excursion railroad featuring all three common forms of railroad motive power (diesel, electric and steam.) BSV offers standard rides through the scenic Des Moines River Valley, as well as elegant dinner and dessert trains, and special events, such as visits by Thomas the Tank Engine, holiday rides and others.Hawkeye Express, operates a number of bi-level, commuter-passenger cars to move fans between historic Kinnick Stadium and satellite parking areas during Iowa Hawkeye's home football games.
For additional information, contact Amanda Martin at 515-239-1653 or e-mail amanda.martin@dot.iowa.gov
