A pair of SD60s on the Cedar River got me out for a midday chase southbound on the Osage Sub. This job most days runs with 1 unit. The past couple of weeks in October 2024, traffic had been on the... (more)

With a boxcar of lumber sandwiched by a couple of centerbeams that are all destined for Beisser Lumber Company in Grimes, the local crosses Walnut Creek.

The Final Nail In The Coffin For Iowa Northern. Back on January 30, 2024, Canadian National Railroad and the Iowa Northern Railroad filed an application seeking approval from the STB (Unite... (more)

CP 6644 leading its train North for Nahant at track speed across a channel from the Mississippi River.

DAIR 2511 & 2 other units lead a freight from Hudson, SD across the Big Sioux River. Here they cross over from the state of South Dakota and into Iowa.

The South St. Paul, MN, to Des Moines, IA, freight train is down to about 20 minutes to work as they pull into Mason City off the Fairmont Sub. Surprisingly, this train doesn't take the Spineline ... (more)

The new CPKC Midwest Mexico Express (MMX) trains that started mid-2023. We were able to shoot both MMX trains around Ottumwa. 181 was a 6 hour difference between days, but 180 seemed to arrive rig... (more)

UP 4014 over the Des Moines River in Boone Iowa on the 2024 Midwest Tour

An empty BNSF coal train rolls west across the Des Moines River outside of Ottumwa, Iowa as it heads back towards the North Antelope Mine in Wyoming's Power River Basin for another load. This trai... (more)

From May 2-11, I had the immense privilege to witness CP 2816, the "Empress" 4-6-4 Hudson steam locomotive, make its trek south on the Final Spike Steam Tour celebrating the Canadian Pac... (more)

From May 2-11, I had the immense privilege to witness CP 2816, the "Empress" 4-6-4 Hudson steam locomotive, make its trek south on the Final Spike Steam Tour celebrating the Canadian Pac... (more)

The Iowa Northern and Canadian National operated a joint special across the majority of the railroad over 2 days. Many high-end officials sat down and talked about the many aspects of the upcoming... (more)

Back in 1993, the Cedar River flooded out the CNW mainline around Cedar Rapids. Mainline trains ended up making the slow trek thru downtown Cedar Rapids for a few days. Later this day, the trains ... (more)

A pair of SD70's lead this Englewood, TX, to South St. Paul, MN, freight that has slowed up for the curves and diamond at Iowa Falls. The train passes over the branch the UP that runs over to Alde... (more)

A local fisherman enjoys the fishing on this warm evening as this South St. Paul to Des Moines freight train slowly rolls over the Iowa River in Iowa Falls. The train is working south on the Spine... (more)