After a brief stop, the triple header smokes it up as it accelerates toward Bureau.
IAIS's "new" Chinese 2-10-2's lead Milwaukee 261 on an excursion. Here it is seen pulling from Rock Island into the town of Silvis before taking on passengers.
Composed next to a thingy(we're using technical terms here) used for servicing locomotives(probably) is QJ 6988.
Triple headed steam in action! IAIS/QJ's 6988 and 7081 lead Milwaukee 261 into Bureau Junction where they will wye the train for the return trip back to Rock Island.
The 6988 with both cylinder cocks open puts on a show for the crowd as it pulls out of Rock Island Yard in order to spot the triple-header on the outside track. Centennial bridge is in the backgro... (more)
Last shot of the train as it heads back west from Bureau towards Rock Island, smoking past an IAIS hyrailer.
The photo runby for any passengers that wanted to get off in Bureau. Not as cool as mountains in China, but still pretty awesome to watch.
Stopped in Bureau to load/unload passengers.
Pacing triple-headed steam trains is always enjoyable.
Chinese steam locomotives meet the American midwest's fields of soybeans. Notice the airplanes chasing the train - there were at least 6 of them.
Everyone came out to see the triple header in Bureau.
Joe LeMay managed to put this train into emergency by sticking his lens just a bit too close..
Like the Chinese dragons they somewhat resemble, the two QJs (and the 261!) start 'em up at Rock Island breathing smoke and steam.
