by Gilbert B Norman
I have learned that that the Cedar Rapids & Iowa City Railroad has ceased operations over the ex-MILW Cedar Rapids-Yocum Jct line but that the Iowa Interstate (Rock Island successor) will assume such.
On a personal note, I was "out there" this past weeked. A hotel at which I always stay, namely Holiday Inn Express in Coralville, offers "rooms with a view". About 830PM Saturday, I was certain I heard a train, but was simply too tired to get off the bunk and go look (I'm "not exactly a night owl in this life BTW, sundown is usually bedtime in the summer). Only Sunday morning, when visiting with railfan friends in Amana, did I learn this was the final CRIC operated train over the line.
Incidentally, Yocum Jct is the interchange between this line and the Rock Island near Homestead. Trains can operate off the ex-MILW and travel either East or West on the Rock Island (IAIS).
Unfortunately, the major potential source of oin-line traffic has failed to develop. That would be from the Amana Refrigeration plant at Middle Amana. Amana was quite loyal to the MILW in past years, providing many a favorable line haul, including "all the way" to the West Coast. However that business deteriorated, whose fault depends upon who you listen to, and today all input of raw materials and purchased parts is by 18 wheeler. There is still fabrication such as metal stamping and assembly done there. The finished household appliances also move by 18 wheeler. What is ironic is that Amana has a warehouse (whoops, Distribution Center) in Coralville that is wiithin sight of the RI, but no rail access has been provided.
About two year ago, Amana Refrigeration was acquired by Maytag (The Amana Colonies had long sinced disposed of their interest). Maytag reportedly owns a substantial interest in the IAIS, and they make extensive use of rail transportation at their Newton, IA facility. I would have thought that the same philospohy of using rail transport would apply to their acquisition of Amana, but to date, the 18 wheelers are the sole source of transportation for the Amana/Maytag plant.
How much longer Maytag/Amana will have any production within the USA remains an open question; some here likely know they closed a large production facility in Galesburg, IL where rportedly machinery got a one way routing to "South of the Border". But if they are to continue such, especially in "swing state Iowa" (never mind one-party Illinois, where the Democratic US Senate candidate is presently running unopposed), it would be nice to see them make optimal use of "their' railroad that now serves Middle Amana.
On a personal note, I was "out there" this past weeked. A hotel at which I always stay, namely Holiday Inn Express in Coralville, offers "rooms with a view". About 830PM Saturday, I was certain I heard a train, but was simply too tired to get off the bunk and go look (I'm "not exactly a night owl in this life BTW, sundown is usually bedtime in the summer). Only Sunday morning, when visiting with railfan friends in Amana, did I learn this was the final CRIC operated train over the line.
Incidentally, Yocum Jct is the interchange between this line and the Rock Island near Homestead. Trains can operate off the ex-MILW and travel either East or West on the Rock Island (IAIS).
Unfortunately, the major potential source of oin-line traffic has failed to develop. That would be from the Amana Refrigeration plant at Middle Amana. Amana was quite loyal to the MILW in past years, providing many a favorable line haul, including "all the way" to the West Coast. However that business deteriorated, whose fault depends upon who you listen to, and today all input of raw materials and purchased parts is by 18 wheeler. There is still fabrication such as metal stamping and assembly done there. The finished household appliances also move by 18 wheeler. What is ironic is that Amana has a warehouse (whoops, Distribution Center) in Coralville that is wiithin sight of the RI, but no rail access has been provided.
About two year ago, Amana Refrigeration was acquired by Maytag (The Amana Colonies had long sinced disposed of their interest). Maytag reportedly owns a substantial interest in the IAIS, and they make extensive use of rail transportation at their Newton, IA facility. I would have thought that the same philospohy of using rail transport would apply to their acquisition of Amana, but to date, the 18 wheelers are the sole source of transportation for the Amana/Maytag plant.
How much longer Maytag/Amana will have any production within the USA remains an open question; some here likely know they closed a large production facility in Galesburg, IL where rportedly machinery got a one way routing to "South of the Border". But if they are to continue such, especially in "swing state Iowa" (never mind one-party Illinois, where the Democratic US Senate candidate is presently running unopposed), it would be nice to see them make optimal use of "their' railroad that now serves Middle Amana.
