Iowa Traction Railroad: The Last True Interurban Freight

Iowa Traction Railroad is the last true interurban hauling freight. This resilient shoreline still uses 100 year old electrics on steep grades through the Iowa Countryside. We spent a day and a half documenting their operations as we chases their daily jobs.
Second channel: ‪@michigancentralshorts‬
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[@RailPreserver2K]

I hope progress rail understands this railroad is now literally a living museum at this point given the fact all the motive power are museum pieces.

[@stampycatfan01lol]

A comment from Progressive Rail in Trains Magazine stated that while diesels may be used to supplement the existing power, they plan to continue electric operations as well.

[@bracdude181]

@@stampycatfan01lolcurious about how much it costs to keep these old engines and electrical infrastructure going vs a fleet of diesels and paying for diesel fuel, and the amount of maintenance required

[@simplsquam]

​@@bracdude181Considering they have a stockpile of parts from their previous locomotives and have still maintained their vintage infrastructure, their only cost concerns should be finding customers to serve

[@edgein7892]

A great little railroad, lots of action too it seems.

[@arthurkallansrud1950]

I was raised in Ft.Dodge and lived near the Ft.Dodge,Des Moines,and Southern . I road the interurban from Ft .Dodge to Des Moines many times till the tracks where removed .

[@mow4ncry]

That's definitely vintage all right even unguarded crossings

[@ronaldrondeau7870]

Thanks Tyson you comments are exacts, Im rail fan since I was 12 now im 73. Now after the merge CP KC im gonna have to get a KCS engine for my layout

[@rimodeler7963]

Great job of documenting operations on the Iowa Traction Railroad. Truly amazing that the electric locomotives are still in operation to this day and hopefully for years to come. Thank you! Mike

[@WMAC_Master]

Absolutely amazing something like this still exists. Great work documenting!

[@AlexThePatriot]

I hope this railroad keeps pulling revenue freight for another 100+ years

[@albertcarello619]

This railroad reminds me of freight operations on the Chicago Aurora and Elgin. Their freight trains were always about this length. Chicago,Aurora and Elgin freight service ended on June 9 1959.

[@IowaTrainGay]

Aye! Glad you got the chance to see this railroad!

[@albertcarello619]

This tanker train is sure long for this railroad and a train of this length is also considered long for the Chicago Aurora and Elgin.

[@frederickschulkind8431]

They have plenty of business judging by the length of those trains.

[@kristoffermangila]

Yeah, and it seems that Iowa Traction is using what the Brits call "Top and Tail" operations.

[@vaxghost]

No ditch lights? Interesting. Great video!

[@Socoolds455]

Ditch lights are only required for speeds over 20 mph, locomotives built before 1949(?) are also exempt.

[@FlightAndTrack]

Great video! Glad you got to see it!😊

[@albertcarello619]

I imagine decades ago there was passenger service on this line.

[@albertcarello619]

It's too bad the Chicago Aurora and Elgin didn't survive like this railroad. It had a very great deal of freight customers. One of them TOASTMASTER. Another one was Sun Electric maker of automobile diagnostic tools and equipment. Unfortunately Chicago Aurora and Elgin was saddled by passenger operating losses.

[@arthurkallansrud1950]

Maybe the Railroad can get used Amtrak electric engine when they get the new engines for the NE Corridor.

[@thomasnovacek4686]

Northeast Corridor locomotives here? The power system doesn't fit, and then there are a few other small details that make it impossible to operate these locomotives…

[@jessicaburdell7779]

The AEM-7s have already been gone sadly and the HHP-8s are now being converted to cab cars

[@mikehawk2003]

Wouldn't work. Voltage isn't compatible and Amtrak locomotives with their carbodies aren't good as switchers. For the traffic, speed, elevation this line has, an approx. 480HP steeplecab is enough power.

[@philliplee980]

Very cool

[@NickBurman]

What's the deal with those sulphuric acid cars, storage or new flow? Also, if the new owners intend to keep running under wire, they better start working on it... it's very, very crooked...

[@chunkpowers]

Ok, Honest stupid question. When they switch poles does that switch the polarity of the traction motors like a reverser handle does or does each pole control a traction motor and they are not Bi directional?

[@MichiganCentralLines]

Likely a few reasons, the main one being if you push the poles, they would have a higher likeliness of coming off the line. Pulling them allows them to follow the line and plenty he tension keep them connected. additionally the polls would not be apt to going through a switch properly if being “pushed” at the point.

[@DPU.proMN.IA.]

Small Town my ars been there many times not small trust me

[@tomharris8263]

Why do they have to keep changing the electric pickup poles each time directions are changed?

[@memyself8340]

To minimize damage, you need to pull the poles, not push them. If they were to catch on anything while being pushed, they would break.

[@tomharris8263]

Sounds good. Thanks for the reply.@@memyself8340

[@UsTrainsAndSirens]

Off topic question but where was the intro filmed? Great video!

[@markwilliams2620]

Near Ann Arbor, MI. If you watch their Amtrak videos around Ann Arbor they say the street. Might be Haggerty or Ann Arbor Trail.