The combined CN-Iowa Northern Railway will benefit Iowa’s economy and businesses.
  • CN shares IANR’s commitment to local stakeholders. This transaction will enable IANR to continue to provide reliable first- and last-mile service to Iowa customers while offering new, single-line rail options to and from Iowa.
  • This will bring new opportunities for businesses trying to expand their market reach, get products to market quicker, and keep shipping costs down.
  • The transaction will meaningfully support the growth of local businesses in Iowa by creating new, single-line service and financially supporting a key Iowa railroad.
  • A direct single operator network will deliver more competitive origination options, improving supply chain costs across the grain feed mill market.
The combined CN-Iowa Northern Railway will be good for IANR employees.
  • CN will maintain the existing workforce and allow for additional career growth within a combined CN-Iowa Northern.
  • Iowa Northern employees will be joining a company that is consistently recognized as a top employer year after year, receiving notable recognition from Forbes, as one of Canada’s Best Employers (2023).
The combined CN-Iowa Northern Railway will continue to focus on local communities.
  • CN is committed to the local Iowa communities in which IANR operates – just like IANR has been.
  • Already, CN has invested more than $300 million U.S. dollars to build and maintain its safe and efficient network in Iowa alone.
  • As part of CN’s network, IANR will have greater access to financial resources to make capital investments to support future growth.
  • CN values its numerous community partnerships in Iowa, including America in Bloom, Cedar Valley United Way, Community Health Center of Fort Dodge, and the Colwell Fire Department. CN will continue to build more community partners as it expands its presence in the state through IANR.
The combined CN-Iowa Northern Railway is a value-add for customers and the rail supply chain in general.
  • CN’s ownership of the Iowa Northern Railway will provide a firm financial foundation for a key Iowa shortline railroad.
  • The CN-IANR transaction will provide access to a much broader rail network and markets via CN’s 18,600 miles of rail network that extends from Eastern to Western Canada into the Southern U.S.
  • The transaction will create new single-line options that will benefit Iowa shippers. CN will also preserve joint-line options between IANR and other rail carriers (including Union Pacific, Canadian Pacific Kansas City, and the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City Railroad).
  • CN’s investment in IANR will promote resilience in important supply chains, such as food products and biofuels. Iowa rail shippers in a wide range of agricultural and industrial markets will benefit from the transaction.

Grain Insight podcast dives into CN’s recent announcement about its agreement to acquire Iowa Northern Railway, which is pending regulatory review by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB).