DENVER — The Hall of Fame induction of Iowa Interstate Railroad Chairman Henry Posner III highlighted the railroad’s week at the recent American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association conference in Denver, which also saw Iowa Interstate recognized with two major awards.
Posner was inducted into the Short Line Railroad Industry Hall of Fame, along with longtime shortline executive and former Federal Railroad Administrator Ron Batory, and the late Earl Durden, who was instrumental in the development of the ASLRRA, as well as a manager of some 16 short lines [see “ASLRRA names three new members …,” Trains News Wire, Jan. 7, 2025].
Posner, in his acceptance speech, called the occasion “a great opportunity to raise the consciousness of our industry peers on many subjects: safety, policy, education, and also about the willingness to fail, doing the right thing, and attracting the next generation. But most importantly, it was about family. IAIS is a family in its own way and is part of the RDC family of companies.” Driving home the point of Iowa Interstate as family, Posner was introduced by his daughter, Ida, also an Iowa Interstate board member.
The railroad was also named 2025 Regional Railroad of the Year by Railway Age, and received the ASLRRA Environmental Award for its work developing the Newton Energy Rail Park in Newton, Iowa. The facility supports rail movement of wind turbine blades and tower sections.
Iowa Interstate celebrated the occasion by bringing its historic business car, the Hawkeye, to Denver Union Station, where it hosted friends, family, and colleagues during the conference. The modernized heavyweight car began life as a Frisco dining car in 1928, was rebuilt into an office car in 1949, and moved through several owners before being purchased by Iowa Interstate from Kansas City Southern in 2006.
