It is really hard to believe that this was enough power for a freight train along the Aurora Sub. Now days to find any train under 8,000 horse probably not too common, but back in 1997 a measly 4,... (more)

The west end of the Mason City Yard had a fixed distant signal for the diamond with the UP at the Bear Trap. The signal here and Nora Spring were just a reminder to be prepared to stop at the diam... (more)

Step back to 2009 and the CP Russell is working east on the Mason City Sub towards Marquette. The plow is stop at West Ossian to head into the siding to meet a MDSMCX. The crew has to get the swit... (more)

Step back to 2009 and the CP Jordan is heading north towards Austin on the Owatonna Sub. An unlike meet at Grafton is taking place as the crew cleared up for 946. After 946 blasts thru town, the c... (more)

The daily southbound St. Paul to Kansas City freight passes thru the small town of Mystic in southern Iowa. The train is working over the Laredo Sub from Ottumwa to Laredo. The train passes this u... (more)

The Savanna base local B67 is working Lyons Siding on the northside of Clinton. The crew comes out of Savanna and does a Clinton turn doing alittle bit of everything along the way. Next the crew w... (more)

I wandered into Clinton ahead of a show I had on Saturday. I figured I would do some flying around the ex-CNW Clinton Depot. If the UP ever gets going with their new Mississippi River Bridge plans... (more)

A local out of Davenport begin the task of climbing the Eldridge Spur towards Eldridge. Leaving the mainline at Waterworks this branch passes over an impressive wooden bridge. The lone geep has it... (more)

CP ran their tech train across the old GWWR on the KCS on 1/27 and 28. The train came out of Gateway Rail Services in St. Louis late 1/27 and ran to KC on the 28th. Last night the train made its w... (more)

The daily Waterloo to Ft. Dodge local stops at Ackley to setouts 2 cars in the house track. The cars are bound for the Iowa River Railroad, but the job tomorrow will deliver them. This job normall... (more)

An empty coal train heads back to the mine on the BNSF Ottumwa Sub. This empty is only a few miles into the trip, as they left plant at Chillicothe about 32 miles back. Next crew change at Creston... (more)

The West Burlington Shops was the heart of the BN heavy locomotive repair and rebuild dating back to 1883. The shops were closed in 2004 by BNSF and everything moved to Galesburg and other shops. ... (more)

These 2x2x2 unusual coal trains on the BNSF are a product of where the trains must go. These trains go to the CP at Ottumwa and on the CP they must transverse the 1.8% Rutledge Hill to get out of ... (more)

An empty coal train bound for the PRB rolls easily west thru Chariton in southern Iowa. The train is working west on the BNSF Ottumwa Sub from Galesburg, IL, to the next crew change point at Crest... (more)

An empty coal train bound for the PRB rolls easily west thru Chariton in southern Iowa. The train is working west on the BNSF Ottumwa Sub from Galesburg, IL, to the next crew change point at Crest... (more)