Many Rock Island diesels units, especially Geep's made it into the mid Sixties in their original red, black and white scheme with "wings". We see here GP7 1226 and F7(A) 103 at the R... (more)

Not as pretty as her SY sister but alive and ready to go this engine was fired as we watched, listened and smelled the process, probably my favorite experience around steamers. They creak, they g... (more)

A beautiful CN graduate heads the museum's diesel passenger train in a recreation of a classic scene imitating CNW's prairie meanderings. The railroad was a great experience but we had a bonus, a... (more)

I would guess there are no two of this model anywhere that are anywhere near alike. Haven't seen one with original engines yet. Once ubiquitous, they are becoming rare critters. From the looks ... (more)

Fairly rare on UP, no dynamic brakes. I really don't know if it's Iowa but took a shot. Just one of those rapid "friendly wave and hearty hi yo Silver" trips on a college break.

Coal loads and empties meet on the west side of Ottumwa, Iowa on a May morning, with BNSF 5618 bringing up the rear of the westbound empties on E JOJATM0 18A, while loaded train C BKMOTM0 19A wait... (more)

Headed up by a pair of Santa Fe-painted Dash 9s, the 836 local pauses while working the Keokuk Junction Railway interchange as a storm rolls in at dusk.

A real antique. Photo by unknown. From my collection.

GTW GP38-2 4912 leads CN L565 West out of Farley after working a industry in town. Second out is a geep from CN's newest fallen flag, the Iowa Northern.

Resting in the Yard. This manifest train rests in Nahant Yard, waiting to depart for its next destination.

Working the Mississippi. This BNSF local uses trackage rights on the CPKC main in Davenport to get to the BNSF tracks on the Century Bridge that crosses the Mississippi River.

CGW FP7 116-A sits on display at the museum in Oelwein on a cold night with snow showers.

UP Turbine number 16 is coupled to a DD35B and is ready for its next assignment. Its nearing the end up its service life as it was retired in February of 1970. These turbines were nicknamed Big Bl... (more)

BNSF 7469 seen leading a Vehicle Train past what remains of Old Fort Madison

A former L&N Geep returns to Manly Yard in northern Iowa. The Iowa Northern Railway operated from 1981 to 2025 on 175 miles of trackage within the midwestern state. In 2023, Canadian National anno... (more)