IAIS 6988 leads the tripleheader east

QJ 6988 spins on the turntable at Council Bluffs. Note that its large front numberboard has been removed. This locomotive was not used in the lead during the photo charter because of a problem w... (more)

I love the gritty, dirty side of steam railroading. This is the right hand side eccentric crank on QJ 6988.

Chinese Steam Special crosses the Mississippi River on its way into Davenport.

Chinese Steam Special prepares to depart Rock Island for an excursion to Yocum.

People seemingly came out of the woodwork when the tripleheader of the QJ's and 261 made a stop at Geneseo

The famed triple header is under way at Rock Island heading east to Bureau Jct.

What can I say.... I had a craving for Chinese today and as luck would have it, I still had some left-overs from September of '06. Rail Development Corporation's QJ #6988 sits in Iowa today, alon... (more)

The trio of steamers high ball out of Colona and cross the scenic Rock River.

The mighty steam loco's power down and deccelerate for the BNSF crossing at Colona.

The steamers pull into Geneseo on their return trip to detrain particular passengars and water the loco's.

With Milwaukee Road 261's single chime Leslie air horn blaring... the triple header thunders around a curve leading into the town of Tiskilwa.

After wying the trainset on the Peoria Branch, IAIS 6988 heads back west toward the Quad Cities passing under an historic RI cantilever signal.

Eastbound Iowa Interstate Excursion with QJ 6988 and 7081 and Milwaukee Road 261