This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
7/2/2024
Iowa Interstate Railroad LLC (IAIS) recently announced the death of Paul Banner, its founding chairman. He was 102.
Banner was instrumental in the efforts to save the railroad following the liquidation of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad, IAIS officials said in a news release.
"To describe Paul Banner as a visionary would be an understatement. The idea of a fourth mainline — and an abandoned one at that — between Chicago and Omaha at the dawn of deregulation was considered by many to be delusional. We are proud to stand on his shoulders, which were extremely broad," said IAIS Chairman Henry Posner III.
Banner’s experience in the rail industry prior to IAIS included roles at Southern Railway and the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad.
"We remember his many contributions to this company and are very thankful to be able to carry on his legacy. Locomotive #519, named the Paul H. Banner to commemorate his 100th birthday, serves as a reminder of our first chairman as it moves freight on the line he helped to save," said IAIS President Joe Parsons.
Founded in 1984, IAIS is based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It operates in the Midwest between Chicago, Peoria, Illinois, and Omaha, Nebraska, and is one of few regionals in the country with direct connections to all six Class Is.