A quartet of GP38-2s hold the mainline at Atkinson with a loaded coal train for Cedar Rapids. After getting a new crew, the train waits for the eastbound CBBI.

After doing some work in Atkinson, the empty coal train from Cedar Rapids heads east for Peoria.

Milwaukee Road #261 in a pan shot, caught between 2 QJ's and a near solid consist of Milwaukee Road passenger cars. BW Photo.

New life for former Jitong Railway QJ #6988 seen here at speed in this pan photo taken not in China but amazingly, Eastbound enroute to Bureau, IL. Railroad: Iowa Interstate Railroad
Locomotive: Steam 2-10-2
Location: Atkinson, Illinois, USA
Locomotive #: IAIS 6988
Train ID: Unknown
Photo Date: September 16, 2006

After a stop in Atkinson, they proceed on to Genneseo.

After a brief stop, the triple header smokes it up as it accelerates toward Bureau.

IAIS 703 leads a "BICB" train at Atkinson, Illinois.

The east and westbound freights meet in Atkinson with the eastbound in the siding.

BICB heads west along US Rte 6 which follows the IAIS pretty closely across Illinois and Iowa with many pacing opportunities.

An extra Rock Island to Peoria train gets underway at Atkinson after picking up a load of ties. The ties and ballast on the head end will be used on the on-going track rehab across Illinois. The... (more)

An extra Rock Island to Peoria train pauses at Atkinson to pick up a carload of ties. The first 39 cars are ballast for the on-going track rehab program underway across Illinois.

An Iowa Interstate "RIPE" train ducks under the ex-RI signal bridge east of Atkinson. After a set out at Bureau, the train will continue on the branch down to Peoria.

An extra grain train from Rock Island to Peoria runs under the old double track signal bridge east of Atkinson.