6988 leads 7081 and 261 slowly through the tight switches and curves that replaced the former diamond crossing at Colona. The front and rear of the train are in line with each other while the midd... (more)

Members of Iowa Interstate and Friends of the 261 prepare QJ 7081 for its excursions during Rock Island's Riverway fest.

The Sunday RiverWay 2006 excursion skirts the edge of the Mississippi River as it heads south on the IC&E.

The Sunday RiverWay 2006 double-header enters IC&E trackage at West Dav and proceeds south to Muscatine.

The Saturday RiverWay 2006 triple-header heads west through the BNSF connection at Colona.

Backing up across the canal bridge outside Bureau, on its way to the depot.

The Saturday RiverWay 2006 triple-header heads west out of Sheffield.

The two Chinese QJ 2-10-2's are literally rolling along at 35mph. The engines and tenders were bouncing all over the place, making quite a sight.

Steamin' along at 35mph en route to Bureau.

The Saturday RiverWay 2006 triple-header heads east out of the Rock River valley as it approaches its station stop at Geneseo.

The Saturday RiverWay 2006 triple-header heads east as it meets the westbound IAIS Rock Island to Iowa City train picking up cars in the Moline siding.

The Saturday RiverWay 2006 triple-header departs Rock Island yard and heads for Bureau with stops at Silvis, Geneseo and Atkinson.

A more daring videographer shoots the tripleheader out the side of a van; this vehicle was later seen being pulled over by a Henry County sheriff's deputy.

The lead Chinese-built steam engine on today's excursions pauses west of Silvis.

The QJs and 261 make it home at 44th Street Rock Island.