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.

What a comparison.. A pair of Iowa Interstate locomotives from two completely different generations feature as photogenic subjects for a series of night photography shoots hosted by the MSRLHA and... (more)

As part of the night photo session hosted by the MSRLHA and Train Festival 2011, CNW 411 idles in the BNSF Lower Yard in downtown Rock Island. Special thanks go to Steve Barry for a ton of assista... (more)

An interior view of BNSF 6688, a new GE ES44C4.

Comparing two generations of locomotives.. The vintage Nebraka Zephyr trainset built in 1936 idles alongside a 3 month old GE ES44C4 operated by BNSF Railway.

Pulling east toward Moline on the BNSF, IAIS 701 leads the Walcott lunch train out of the Lower Yard.

CNW 411 idles on display at Train Festival 2011 alongside the Leviathan.

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