The Walcott excursion gets a run on the hill climbing out of Davenport at old Missouri Division Jct. (from Rock days), where the Council Bluffs main and Golden State main split. In the old days t... (more)

Sporting her new "Americanized" look, Iowa Interstate's QJ #6988 leads the Iowa City excursion east.

Sporting her new "Americanized" look, Iowa Interstate's QJ #6988 leads the Iowa City excursion east.

The first day of the IAIS QJ move to Train Festival 2011 finds 6988 leading 7081 at South Amana, headed for the wye at Yokum Junction for a meet with a westbound IAIS freight. The consist on this... (more)

The QJ-led Walcott excursion crosses into Iowa from Illinois as seen from Tar Beach.

With Train Festival 2011 just ended, an Iowa Interstate Railroad steam volunteer takes a drink in front no. 7081 in between night hostling duties in Rock Island. In the background is the Centennia... (more)

Iowa Interstate Railroad steam locomotive no. 6988 waits in the Rock Island yard while sister engine no. 7081 clears the track ahead during Train Festival 2011.

Iowa Interstate Railroad's Chinese-built QJ steam locomotive no. 6988 moves through the yard prior to an excursion at Train Festival 2011.

IAIS puts the QJ's to work enroute to Train Fest, pulling over 7,000 tons of freight in 55 loads to set a new world record for revenue tonnage pulled by steam in the 21st Century.

Relics along the old Rock Island frame the Iowa City excursion led by a QJ returning to Train Fest.

QJ 6988 leads the procession of the two QJ's and commuter cars as they head for Iowa City in preparation for the upcoming Train Festival in Rock Island.

Pacing QJ 6988 along Highway 6 on it way to the Train Festival in Rock Island.

What a comparison.. A pair of Iowa Interstate locomotives from two completely different generations feature as photogenic subjects for a series of night photography shoots hosted by the MSRLHA and... (more)

Leading the all day Iowa City excursion back toward Rock Island, IAIS 6988 glides across a bridge in Moscow. Photo taken with permission.

The 2pm Walcott train charges through Walcott in the afternoon light.