Hopefully, we'll get another chance soon to see two 2-10-2s romping through Iowa on a revenue freight. Watching the QJs cross over Route 59 was an unforgettable experience.

After dropping about half of their train on the hill, the QJs pound westward into the setting sun to make Council Bluffs on time.

Fans and residents came from all over to get a glimpse of the two Chinese 2-10-2s as they made a water stop in Anita during Jim Gunning and Bill Raia's June photo charter.

Unfortunately, the smoke from QJ 7081 obscures the trailing 2-10-2 and the freight train as the Steam Specials photo charter blasts through Wiota at around 40 MPH.

Working hard near Hancock

Steam bringing tonnage (4200+ tons, 88 cars) into Anita, Iowa.

Coming to a stop near Hancock to take on water.

Working upgrade out of Council Bluffs, headed for Newton.

Storming upgrade with 88 cars at Hickory Avenue.

Deadhead move running on the IAIS main headed for Booneville, where the power will tie up for the night.

QJ 7081 leads sister 6988 and two cars off of the Iowa Interstate and onto the Union Pacific at Des Moines. This was the deadhead move for the June 9th charter with BCIB-07.

QJ 7081 on the turntable at Council Bluffs.

The pair of QJ's owned by RDC and kept on the IAIS are chartered to pull the regular westbound manifest. The impressive pair are passing the former Rock Island depot at Atlantic on their way to C... (more)

BICB finishes watering up just west of Hancock.

Freshly watered, the QJs continue westbound towards Council Bluffs with the BICB train.