Mason City was once a major railroad hub in north central Iowa. The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad (Milwaukee Road), Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad (Rock Island), Chicago Great Western Railway (CGW), Chicago & North Western Railway (C&NW), Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway (M&StL) and Iowa Traction Railway (IATR) all operated lines within the community. While some of the lines have been abandoned, CPKC, Union Pacific Railroad and IATR continue to operate significant facilities within the city.