Iowa Interstate "QJ" #6988 really brought out the crowds as the Datong, China built steam locomotive highballs through the small town of Altoona, Iowa.

Railfans who were fortunate enough to witness the last years of steam on the Jitong Railway will never forget the experience, particularly if they braved the sub-freezing temperatures to capture t... (more)

6988 is out in the country but will soon arrive in Mitchellville.

Iowa Interstate QJ 6988 leads a excursion east, just west of Michellville.

Iowa Interstate QJ 6988 leads a excursion into Mitchellville. Word on the street has it this is the last weekend of excursions for the 6988 before retirement.

6988 leads one of its trips back into Mitchellville, where it will re-load passengers.

IAIS QJ 6988 leads the 2nd trip out of five up the hill and into Altoona.

IAIS QJ #6988 leads an eastbound passenger train at Altoona Iowa.

IAIS 6988 leads her second steam excursion trip of the day towards Mitchellville where she will take on 1,000 more gallons of water. IAIS 703 would lead the train West and 6988 would take it back ... (more)

In preparation for a weekend excursion, volunteers fill the tender and make final adjustments to the QJ. The train will run on both Saturday and Sunday to support fire departments along Iowa Inter... (more)

Dressed in it's new livery, IAIS QJ 6988 goes for a blue flag test run on the house track at Newton. Gone is everything white to be replaced with IAIS yellow and "GEVO lightening bolts" on the ele... (more)

Doubleheaded QJ 2-10-2's cross the JiTong line's iconic Simingyi viaduct. This perspective on the bridge shows off the marvelous civil engineering of this relatively new line.

Doubleheaded QJ 2-10-2's head a freight approaching the summit tunnel on the JiTong line. Steam had about a year left before the last major mainline steam operation in the world was dieselized.