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After suffering track damage from heavy floods in June, Iowa Interstate Railroad Ltd. (IAIS) will offer some relief to Iowa and Illinois communities that also were impacted by the flooding.

On Oct. 18-19, IAIS will operate two steam locomotives owned by parent Railroad Development Corp. (RDC) during special events organized to benefit The Salvation Army's flood-relief efforts. The city of Rock Island, Ill., is hosting and coordinating various rail-oriented events over the course of the two days.

On Oct. 18, a double-headed freight train will travel from Iowa City, Iowa, to Rock Island in an attempt to set a new record for steam-hauled revenue tonnage. IAIS will split the locomotives in Rock Island and operate passenger excursion shuttles east to Silvis, Ill., and west to Walcott, Iowa. At night, the railroad will provide a private evening dinner trip for special guests catered by RDC "celebrity chefs" from Pittsburgh, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Peru and Guatemala.

On Oct. 19, IAIS will operate a one-way limited excursion train from Rock Island to Iowa City, then return the steam locomotives to their home in Newton, Iowa.

"Although it has taken us some time to recover from our flood damage, we have not forgotten the many people who also suffered losses and were assisted by The Salvation Army," said IAIS President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis Miller in a prepared statement. "We hope these events will help to replenish their much-needed funds in order to continue their valuable service to our communities."