Hawkeye A beautiful sunrise view off the platform of “Hawkeye”.

The IANR's BUWA is putting its train together at the south end of Butler for the trip to Waterloo. Ironically, the GP40-2LW's are former CN units. After CN officially took control of the Iowa Nort... (more)

IANR 3802 swings off of home rails and onto the CPKC to pick up five cars at Nora Springs as the day comes to an end. To the left is a remnant of the past, a Milwaukee Road searchlight still guard... (more)

IANR GP38-2 3811 leads BUWA South outside of Shell Rock.

IANR GP38-2 3805 leads a short manifest West through Cedar Falls.

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, 395... (more)

Around a decade ago, the CRIP station signs on this line fell and made way for these new IANR ones, but soon, they too will likely fall in the wake of CN's takeover of the Iowa Northern Railway. ... (more)

A pair of Iowa Northern GP38-2's work the yard in Butler, Iowa.

As a slight snow falls, IANR 4002 switches out a industry near the town of Fairbank. Within a few days, this former CN unit will once again be property of CN.

IANR GP38-2 3811 leads a ethanol train East, approaching the CN yard in Waterloo.

An oddball set of power trundles through the Iowa Countryside. Locals have no idea how much this railroad provided a competitive advantage to agricultural shippers... and by proxy, their own crop... (more)

With the CN purchase now approved, I'm glad for this last trip to the Iowa Northern. The lead motor turned 50 this month, rolling out of London, ON with a build date of 05/74... and after a short... (more)

The Final Nail In The Coffin For Iowa Northern. Back on January 30, 2024, Canadian National Railroad and the Iowa Northern Railroad filed an application seeking approval from the STB (Unite... (more)

Iowa Northern train BUWA at Butler Yard

The Iowa Northern and Canadian National operated a joint special across the majority of the railroad over 2 days in late 2023. Many high-end officials sat down and talked about the many aspects of... (more)