Steam for show is great but there's nothing like the real deal. Poor 'ol #7081, usually follows QJ #6988's lead but on the return trip to Newtow, IA the engine, still in it's Chinese livery, high... (more)
The Walcott excursion gets a run on the hill climbing out of Davenport at old Missouri Division Jct. (from Rock days), where the Council Bluffs main and Golden State main split. In the old days t... (more)
The QJ-led Walcott excursion crosses into Iowa from Illinois as seen from Tar Beach.
With Train Festival 2011 just ended, an Iowa Interstate Railroad steam volunteer takes a drink in front no. 7081 in between night hostling duties in Rock Island. In the background is the Centennia... (more)
IAIS 7081 gleams in the afternoon sun at Trainfest 2011.
Engineer Franzen and Fireman Selinski have the 24-year-old 2-10-2 totally "dialed in" as they prepare to power out of Newton and on to Council Bluffs. Puffing past a house in the dale, it is unbe... (more)
QJ 7081 highballs down the former Rock Island mainline, recalling the Rock Island's better days at the end of the steam era.
Shortly after cutting off the train to the right the QJ's were split apart and were left alone to slowly let them cool off and sit for the night so they could be winterized the next day. Here we s... (more)
The casino in downtown Rock Island (one of 9 in the state) looms in the background as Iowa Interstate 2-10-2 7081 arrives back in town from Walcott, Iowa, with an excursion for Midwest flood relie... (more)
Iowa Interstate QJ 7081 sits in BNSF's Lower Yard in Rock Island.
