Contact: Jeff Barker – 904-463-0910

118 S. Clinton St., Siute 300, Chicago, IL60661

Washington, D.C. – Arizona Eastern Railway, an Iowa Pacific Holdings company, filed a petition with the Surface Transportation Board today seeking permission to build a new railroad line in Arizona. The 10-mile long line will serve a new Phelps Dodge Mining Company copper mine and an industrial park in Safford, Ariz.

The new rail line will carry copper and copper-production materials to and from Phelps Dodge Mining Company mines and facilities around the country. By building a railroad directly to the mine rather than relying on trucks to transfer product from the mine to the railroad, approximately 22,000 truck trips per year will be avoided. The new line will also facilitate development of an industrial park near the Safford airport.

“The new rail line is an excellent addition to the Gila Valley and the City of Safford,” said Safford Mayor Ron Green. “Building the rail line is a win for everyone -- it will reduce the number of trucks on area roads, facilitate the development of the new Phelps Dodge mine and be a valuable marketing tool for our airport industrial park.”

The new line would diverge from the existing Arizona Eastern Railway line east of Safford, Ariz., cross the Gila River on a new 500-foot bridge, pass the Safford airport industrial park site and end at a new Phelps Dodge Mining Company copper mine complex. Construction on the $22 million rail line is projected to commence in mid-2007 with completion a year later.

“We are very excited to work with Phelps Dodge and the City of Safford to build this new line,” said Arizona Eastern Railway President Ed Ellis. “By building this branch line, Phelps Dodge will gain the cost efficiencies of direct rail service and the people of Safford and the Gila Valley will have fewer trucks on the roads.”

Phelps Dodge Mining Company is already a major rail shipper, sending over 7,000 freight cars per year over the Arizona Eastern Railway. The new branch line is expected to generate over 5,000 additional carloads. Rail shipments are generally less costly than trucking due to the inherent efficiencies of rail technology.

Arizona Eastern Railway is owned by Iowa Pacific Holdings, LLC. Iowa Pacific is a shortline railroad holding company based in Chicago. Iowa Pacific owns four shortline railroads in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas.

Contact: Tracy Davis -- 312-466-0900 x14

Lubbock, Texas – West Texas & Lubbock Railway (WTLC) was directed by the U. S.

Surface Transportation Board (STB) today to provide freight rail service to two Pyco

“West Texas & Lubbock Railway crews stand ready to provide Pyco Industries with the quality rail service they require,” said WTLC President Ed Ellis. “We are at Pyco’s service for as long as necessary.”

WTLC is a shortline railroad operating 105 miles of track on two lines west and southwest of Lubbock. For more information on WTLC, go to

Contact: Don Shank – 719-852-7000

Alamosa, Colo.  --  The San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad (SLRG) and the Denver and Rio Grande Historical Foundation (DRGHF) are collaborating to operate a new excursion train in the San Luis Valley.  The trains will operate from Alamosa, making direct, same-day trips over La Veta Pass and connect to trains running in the Toltec Gorge.

The trains will run daily from Alamosa on two scenic routes.  One run is to the town of La Veta, over spectacular, 9,242-foot high La Veta Pass.  The other run is through the San Luis Valley to Antonito where passengers may connect to the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad.  Passengers riding to Antonito may continue their journeys on the steam-powered narrow gauge train to Osier, Colo. and return the same day.

The passenger trains will operate late May through mid-October.  Train equipment will be climate-controlled coaches and a food service car pulled by diesel locomotives.  These are the first regularly scheduled passenger trains on these tracks in over 50 years.

In the town of La Veta, passengers may explore the historic Western town while the train is turned for the return trip.  The town has a thriving artists’ community, an authentic general store and several interesting shops and restaurants.

 “We’re very excited to offer this train-riding experience to southern Colorado visitors,” said Don Shank, President of the DRGHF.  “Alamosa is a railroad hub so it’s only natural that visitors should have the opportunity sample that heritage while visiting the local hotels, restaurants and nearby attractions like the Great Sand Dunes National Park.”

“The rail crossing of La Veta Pass is spectacular,” said Ed Ellis, President of the SLRG.  “The line has two tunnels, a horseshoe curve, track on a narrow ledge and awesome mountain views.”

Leo Schmitz, Executive Director of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission, is looking forward to the new connection at Antonito.  “This service expands the opportunities for folks coming to ride our historic piece of the Denver and Rio Grande narrow gauge,” he said.  “Many of our riders stay in Alamosa hotels -- now they can leave their cars in Alamosa and make the entire trip by train.”

For additional information or reservations, call 1-877-7CO-RAIL (877-726-7245) or go to www.alamosatrain.com on the web.