IOWA ASSOCIATION OF RAILROAD PASSENGERS 
3349 Southgate Court Southwest #108
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404
(319) 362-6824

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE--05/21/97

STATE RAIL PASSENGER GROUP TO MEET IN CEDAR RAPIDS
AT RAILROADERS REUNION

        (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)--The Iowa Association of Railroad
Passengers, Inc., (IARP) will be holding its next meeting at Ushers
Ferry Historic Village in Cedar Rapids at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday,
June 1st.  The group will hear an update on current proposals for
additional railroad passenger service in Iowa, including the proposals
for a train through Cedar Rapids and Ames, and a train through
Davenport, Iowa City and Des Moines.

        Welch says IARP is a state-wide group that supports rail
passenger service.  Welch says the group meets at various locations
throughout the state.  Previous recent meeting sites have included 
Amana, Boone, Burlington, Council Bluffs, Des Moines and Osceola.

        Welch says, "A nine-state consortium will be meeting next
month to discuss more rail service for the Midwest. Iowa officials
are a part of that meeting. We hope plans will be made for additional
service for Iowans."

        Welch also expects to receive an update on the Iowa Department
of Transportation's long-range "Iowa in Motion" draft plan which has
just received additional public input. "I've been told that railroad 
passenger service generated the second highest number of responses 
to the DOT in the latest round of public comments."

        The meeting is being held at the same time as the "Tenth Annual 
Railroaders Reunion" at Ushers Ferry. The railroaders reunion features
railroad displays, slide and video presentations, operating model 
railroads, children's activities, an entertainer performing train songs,
as well as various sale and swap tables.  This year's featured railroad
is the Union Pacific Railroad. Food is available on the grounds.

        The meeting is open to the public and non-members are 
encouraged to attend.  However, there is an admission fee for access 
to the reunion grounds.  Public Adult admission is $2.00. Admission
for children 5-11 is $1.00.  Under 5-years-old are admitted free.

        Ushers Ferry Historic Village is located next to Seminole Valley
Park in northwest Cedar Rapids.  Follow 42nd Street west to Seminole
Valley Road, turn on Seminole Valley Trail.

        Membership information is available from the Iowa Association
of Railroad Passengers, Inc., 3349 Southgate Court, SW, Suite 108, 
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404.  Membership information will also be available at the meeting.