Chinese Steam Special prepares to depart Rock Island for an excursion to Yocum.

People seemingly came out of the woodwork when the tripleheader of the QJ's and 261 made a stop at Geneseo

The famed triple header is under way at Rock Island heading east to Bureau Jct.

What can I say.... I had a craving for Chinese today and as luck would have it, I still had some left-overs from September of '06. Rail Development Corporation's QJ #6988 sits in Iowa today, alon... (more)

The trio of steamers high ball out of Colona and cross the scenic Rock River.

The mighty steam loco's power down and deccelerate for the BNSF crossing at Colona.

The steamers pull into Geneseo on their return trip to detrain particular passengars and water the loco's.

With Milwaukee Road 261's single chime Leslie air horn blaring... the triple header thunders around a curve leading into the town of Tiskilwa.

After wying the trainset on the Peoria Branch, IAIS 6988 heads back west toward the Quad Cities passing under an historic RI cantilever signal.

Eastbound Iowa Interstate Excursion with QJ 6988 and 7081 and Milwaukee Road 261

Standing with many other RP photogrpahers, the triple header cuts through Sheffield

Ah... the chase is on! Triple header steam at speed - convert you to a steam fanatic in seconds. Former Jitong Railway QJ #6988 & 7081 along with a bit of Milwaulkee muscle - #261. Railroad: Iowa Interstate
Locomotive: Steam 2-10-2
Location: Mineral, Illinois, USA
Locomotive #: IAIS 6988
Train ID: Unknown
Photo Date: September 16, 2006

The IAIS Chinese Steam engines pull the Rock Island to Homestead passenger excursion past the IAIS rocks.

A steam triple header! IAIS 6988, IAIS 7081, and Milwaukee 261 fly through Sheffield on the return to Rock Island, pulling RiverWay 2006 celebrating the first railroad bridge over the Mississippi... (more)