IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) - The University of Iowa Athletics Department announced on Wednesday it is ending the Hawkeye Express passenger train experience.

The university said the decision was made due to potential continued social distancing measures, the need for equipment upgrades and increases in operating expenses.

“The Hawkeye Express has been a wonderful part of our Hawkeye football gameday experience,” Matt Henderson, UI senior associate athletics director, said in a news release. “While it was a difficult decision to make, we all agree it is the right decision. This experience would not have occurred without the Sabin family and their Iowa Northern Railway Company.”

The university said an average of 3,700 fans took the 10-minute train ride from Coralville to Kinnick Stadium each gameday during the 2019 football season.

The Iowa Northern Railway Company owns the Hawkeye Express, and it runs on the track owned by the Iowa Interstate Railroad. It operates between Council Bluffs and Chicago.

I believe two F40PH's and several former C&NW gallery cars are involved.

Just one. A F40PHR (almost always #461) was the second locomotive.