Council Bluffs Railway
Encyclopedia
The Council Bluffs Railway was a shortline Class III railroad
that handled freight switching operations in Council Bluffs, Iowa
. It operated from May 1991 until July 2006, when it was sold to the Iowa Interstate Railroad
. The Council Bluffs Railway was an OmniTRAX
subsidiary.
, the Council Bluffs Railway began operations in May 1991 when it took over the 30-mile terminal switching operations of the former Council Bluffs and Ottumwa Railway
, which was a subsidiary of National Railway Systems and operated that trackage from 1989 to 1991. Prior to the Council Bluffs and Ottumwa's operation of that trackage, the track had belonged to the Iowa Southern Railroad
. (The Iowa Southern once had operated a 61.5-mile former Norfolk and Western Railway
(and Wabash Railroad
prior to that) line between Council Bluffs, Iowa
and Blanchard, Iowa
, but in 1988, the Iowa Southern abandoned the line between Council Bluffs and Blanchard and scaled back its operations to just switching service in Council Bluffs.)
Like the Council Bluffs and Ottumwa Railway, the Council Bluffs Railway's headquarters were at the corner of 29th Avenue and High Street in Council Bluffs.
Although it was a subsidiary of OmniTRAX, the Council Bluffs Railway's actual parent company in the OmniTRAX family was the Great Western Railway Company of Iowa. That moniker was strictly a paper one, however.
In July 2006, the Iowa Interstate purchased the Council Bluffs Railway as a way to expand its intermodal operations and create greater capacity in its Council Bluffs terminal.
Class III railroad
A Class III railroad, as defined by the Surface Transportation Board, is a railroad with an annual operating revenue of less than $20 million . The term only applies to United States railroads, but is sometimes applied to other countries...
that handled freight switching operations in Council Bluffs, Iowa
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Council Bluffs, known until 1852 as Kanesville, Iowathe historic starting point of the Mormon Trail and eventual northernmost anchor town of the other emigrant trailsis a city in and the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States and is on the east bank of the Missouri River across...
. It operated from May 1991 until July 2006, when it was sold to the Iowa Interstate Railroad
Iowa Interstate Railroad
The Iowa Interstate Railroad is a Class II railroad operating in the central United States. The railroad is owned by Railroad Development Corporation of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.-History:...
. The Council Bluffs Railway was an OmniTRAX
OmniTRAX
OmniTRAX, Inc. is one of North America's largest private railroad and transportation management companies, providing management services to 16 regional and short-line railroads that serve 10 U.S...
subsidiary.
History
A subsidiary of OmniTRAXOmniTRAX
OmniTRAX, Inc. is one of North America's largest private railroad and transportation management companies, providing management services to 16 regional and short-line railroads that serve 10 U.S...
, the Council Bluffs Railway began operations in May 1991 when it took over the 30-mile terminal switching operations of the former Council Bluffs and Ottumwa Railway
Council Bluffs and Ottumwa Railway
The Council Bluffs and Ottumwa Railway was a shortline Class III railroad that handled freight switching operations in Council Bluffs, Iowa. It operated from August 1989 until May 1991, when it was sold to the Council Bluffs Railway, an OmniTRAX subsidiary....
, which was a subsidiary of National Railway Systems and operated that trackage from 1989 to 1991. Prior to the Council Bluffs and Ottumwa's operation of that trackage, the track had belonged to the Iowa Southern Railroad
Iowa Southern Railroad
The Iowa Southern Railroad was a shortline railroad in southern Iowa, operating a former Wabash Railroad line between Council Bluffs and Blanchard. It was abandoned except at Council Bluffs on August 22, 1988, and in August 1990 the remaining trackage was sold to the Council Bluffs and Ottumwa...
. (The Iowa Southern once had operated a 61.5-mile former Norfolk and Western Railway
Norfolk and Western Railway
The Norfolk and Western Railway , a US class I railroad, was formed by more than 200 railroad mergers between 1838 and 1982. It had headquarters in Roanoke, Virginia for most of its 150 year existence....
(and Wabash Railroad
Wabash Railroad
The Wabash Railroad was a Class I railroad that operated in the mid-central United States. It served a large area, including trackage in the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri and Ontario. Its primary connections included Chicago, Illinois, Kansas City, Missouri, Detroit,...
prior to that) line between Council Bluffs, Iowa
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Council Bluffs, known until 1852 as Kanesville, Iowathe historic starting point of the Mormon Trail and eventual northernmost anchor town of the other emigrant trailsis a city in and the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States and is on the east bank of the Missouri River across...
and Blanchard, Iowa
Blanchard, Iowa
Blanchard is a city in Page County, Iowa, United States. The population was 61 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Blanchard is located at .-Landmarks:...
, but in 1988, the Iowa Southern abandoned the line between Council Bluffs and Blanchard and scaled back its operations to just switching service in Council Bluffs.)
Like the Council Bluffs and Ottumwa Railway, the Council Bluffs Railway's headquarters were at the corner of 29th Avenue and High Street in Council Bluffs.
Although it was a subsidiary of OmniTRAX, the Council Bluffs Railway's actual parent company in the OmniTRAX family was the Great Western Railway Company of Iowa. That moniker was strictly a paper one, however.
In July 2006, the Iowa Interstate purchased the Council Bluffs Railway as a way to expand its intermodal operations and create greater capacity in its Council Bluffs terminal.