CN to buy Iowa Northern Railway Company

MONTREAL — The US Surface Transportation Board has approved the Canadian National Railway Company’s acquisition of the north-central Iowa-based Iowa Northern Railway Company.

The CN says the decision allows their company to combine the Iowa Northern Railway’s 175 route miles with their nearly 20,000-mile rail network as early as February 13th.

The combined CN-Iowa Northern network will offer single-line service to better connect grain, fertilizer, renewable fuels, and industrial markets to CN’s North American network. The Waterloo-based Iowa Northern Railway has been regarded as one of the fastest-growing independent short-line railroads in the country.

Besides their rail lines, Iowa Northern’s holdings also include the Manly Logistics Park and Manly Terminal in Manly.