• Iowa Connections: Get on Board with
  Passenger Rail booklet
• Chicago to Iowa City passenger rail program fact sheet
• Federal Railroad Administration's High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail program
  
• Grant applications submitted by Iowa DOT or jointly by the Iowa and Illinois DOTs
  

The Iowa DOT formed a Passenger Rail Advisory Committee in 2008 whose members are helping shape the vision for passenger rail service in the state and make it a reality.

• Membership
  

• Governor Culver announces funding request for intercity passenger rail services Aug. 6, 2010
• Communities revving up for new passenger rail service receive guidance from Amtrak on station development July 20, 2010
• Iowa receives two high-speed passenger rail grants Jan. 28, 2010
• Amtrak Ridership on Recordbreaking Pace April 8, 2010

The Midwest Regional Rail Initiative (MWRRI) is a cooperative, multiagency effort that began in 1996 and involves nine Midwest states (Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin) as well as the FRA.

• Service Development Plan for the Midwest Regional Rail System (2009)
  A business plan for implementation of a Midwest Regional Rail System   
• 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 and 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

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Midwest High-Speed Rail Steering Group

• The Steering Group, composed of high-level state officials, was established within the memorandum of understanding signed by the governors of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin, and the mayor of the city of Chicago. The Steering Group coordinates and advocates on behalf of the region's collective high-speed rail interests.

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Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission

• The Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission (MIPRC) brings together state leaders from across the region to advocate for passenger rail improvements. Formed by compact agreement in 2000, the MIPRC's current members are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin.
• Roster for Iowa MIPRC commissioners
  

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The States for Passenger Rail Coalition (SPRC) is an alliance of state departments of transportation that supports intercity passenger rail initiatives and advocates for federal funding.
• SPRC testimony

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• Iowa Association of Railroad Passengers
• Environmental Law and Policy Center

Feasibility studies are the "first step" to examine the potential for expanded passenger rail services. Ridership and very rudimentary costs are established. Envirnmental studies, engineering plans, freight/passenger rail traffic or congestion conflicts are identified, station requirememts and many other factors follow prior to an implementation plan.

• 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
• Amtrak presentation on feasibility of Chicago to Iowa City via Quad Cities route, April 18, 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

• HR 3288 – Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010
  FY2010 appropriations for the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail program
  
• HR 1 – American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
  Legislation that provided start-up funding for the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail (HSIPR) program
• H.R. 2095, Title III - Passenger Rail Improvement and Investment Act of 2008 (PRIA)
  This legislation created the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail program

Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad (BSV), located in Boone, Iowa 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 bilevel, commuter-passenger cars to move fans between historic Kinnick Stadium and satellite parking areas during Iowa Hawkeye's home football games.

• Dubuque Passenger Rail Coalition
• National Association of Railroad Passengers
• Quad Cities Passenger Rail Coalition
• Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce