Code Blue. With an air temperature hovering around -3, Iowa Northern train BUWA (Butler to Waterloo) is slowly making its way south through the small town of Shell Rock, Iowa. IANR 451, 3957, 3954 and 461 provide the power on this code blue afternoon. 451 and 461 are both former Amtrak F40PH's, now classified as an F40M-2F and an F40MPH-2F respectively after rebuilding. The two slug units were originally built as GP7's. Canadian National announced its intent to acquire the IANR in December 2023. The Surface Transportation Board approved that acquisition on January 14th, 2025 and it was reported that this was the IANR's final day of independence.
