Iowa Interstate Railroad steam locomotive no. 6988 waits in the Rock Island yard while sister engine no. 7081 clears the track ahead during Train Festival 2011.

Iowa Interstate Railroad's Chinese-built QJ steam locomotive no. 6988 moves through the yard prior to an excursion at Train Festival 2011.

The latest restoration project of John and Barney Gramling leads a triple header at Train Festival 2011. Behind Lehigh Valley Coal Co. 126 is Flagg Coal Co. 75 and Viscose Company 6.

Nickel Plate Road #765 simmers on a warm summer night in Rock Island, Illinois. Lighting by the MSR&LHA

With the Nickel Plate 765 now cut off of the head end, the two Amtrak Heritage Units shove the train back for staging.

The only EMD E5 left in the world proudly sits in Rock Island. This unit usually works at the Illinois Railway Museum, but today it has just completed an excursion from Rock Island to Bureau and ... (more)

The Nebraska Zephyr all polished up during the night shoot at trainfest. One of IRM's finest pieces.

NKP 765 rolls up along side IAIS 7081 at Trainfest 2011.

Having had a successful run the previous day, 765 rests in the yard. To be honest, I was stunned when I captured this image. Other than a little bit of straightening and sharpening in Photoshop,... (more)

After a heavy storm rolled through NKP 765 rests in the yard at Rock Island Illinois durning Train Festival 2011. The storm brought much needed rain to the area and made for neat photographs.

Not to often you see a blonde engineer, especially on the 765. Well it happened on this clear night in Rock Island.

IAIS 7081 gleams in the afternoon sun at Trainfest 2011.

The excursion train to Bureau Junction with NKP 765 on the lead, pulls up next to one of Iowa Interstate's two Chinese QJ steam locomotives during the 2011 Train Fest in the Quad Cities.

An IAIS GP38-2 & the "Americanized" QJ sit under the Centennial Bridge on a humid night.