CN secures approval to acquire Iowa Northern Railway

Canadian National Railway (CN) has received approval from the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) to acquire the Iowa Northern Railway Company (IANR). The deal, set to close by Feb. 13, will integrate IANR’s 175-mile route with CN’s 20,000-mile network, enhancing connectivity for grain, fertilizer, renewable fuels and industrial markets. 

The acquisition will enable single-line service, providing businesses along the IANR network with new opportunities to expand their reach and better respond to market demands. 

“We recognize and thank the STB for its commitment to a rigorous process that has yielded the right outcome,” said Tracy Robinson, CN’s president and CEO. “We look forward to welcoming Iowa Northern Railway into the CN family and are excited to offer customers, farmers and supply chain partners single-line access to new markets.” 

For IANR, the acquisition represents a milestone. “I am proud of what Iowa Northern’s employees and customers have built and their role in Iowa’s economy,” said Daniel Sabin, IANR chairman. “This combination will bring benefits to customers, employees and the communities we serve.” 

The deal underscores CN’s strategy to expand its network and enhance its capabilities to serve critical sectors of the North American economy.