The Iowa Traction Railroad is an electrically operated common carrier

Common carrier

A common carrier in common-law countries is a person or company that transports goods or people for any person or company and that is responsible for any possible loss of the goods during transport...

 railroad running between Mason City

Mason City

Mason City is the name of several places in the United States of America:*Mason City, Illinois*Mason City, Iowa*Mason City, NebraskaSee also: Mason...

 and Clear Lake, Iowa

Clear Lake, Iowa

Clear Lake is a city in Cerro Gordo County, Iowa, United States. The population was 8,161 at the 2000 census. The city is named for the large lake on which it is located. It is the home of a number of marinas, state parks and tourism-related businesses. Clear Lake is also a major stop on Interstate...

, Iowa. It can trace its roots back to the Mason City and Clear Lake Railway which was founded in 1896. The shops were situated in Emery, the midpoint between the two namesake towns. Passenger service began on July 4, 1897. Freight has been the major source of income since the beginning and has been the only source since the charter for trolley service in Mason City expired August 30, 1936.