Bob, Elizabeth and I met in the lobby at 6 AM and I borrowed the car to run to McDonald's who were not open but settled on a gas station for some Chocolate Donuts to get me going this clear, cool and windy Sunday morning in Iowa. Bob drove Elizabeth and I down to the loading area but first there were a few pictures to take.
The two Chinese QJ's were on a side track waiting to pull forward then back down to our trainset.
Here the QJ's are pulling forward heading for the switch at the west end of the yard.
The QJ's then backed down the track towards our train but made a safety stop first before coupling onto our train.
There is no automatic stroker on these engines. Every scoop of coal is shoveled by hand.
The QJ's looked beautiful in the morning light here in Rock Island.
The QJ's then backed onto our trainset then coupled up to it. The train consisted of QJ 6988 and QJ 7081, Tool Car 9021, Coaches {all ex Montreal Commuter Train Coaches} 810, 820, 807, 819, 816, 804, 838 and 806, Abraham Lincoln 101 and Hawkeye 100. Bob drove us back to the boarding area and we said our goodbye until Iowa City. Elizabeth and I waited to board the train which we did at 8:42 AM.
The new best friends of anyone who took this trip as there were no bathrooms for coach passengers on the train. It was a use it before the trip or hold it until after the trip.
A smiling Elizabeth ready for her trip to Iowa City behind the Chinese QJ's.
Our conductor punched all our tickets and we were ready to start this trip.
At 8:48 AM the QJ's started backing our train towards the Rock Island Yard.
The train slowly backed down to the Rock Island Yard and the connection to the Government Bridge.
Our connection to the former Rock Island mainline.
The QJ's now are pulling the train out of the Rock Island Yard on the former Rock Island Mainline.
The train heads for the channel of the Mississippi River that made the Rock Island Arsenal Island.
The train crossed the first channel of the Mississippi River.
Trees on Arsenal Island are showing Fall Colors.
The old Rock Island Fort.
Our train headed across the Mississippi River.
Views crossing the Mississippi River.
Our train came off the bridge and was now in Davenport, Iowa.
The train crossed one of the streets in Davenport. After passing through downtown Davenport, the train did its street running in Davenport before heading out of town at a good clip.
After passing through downtown Davenport.
The train did its street running in Davenport before heading out of town at a good clip.
Once out of Davenport, the train went across Interstate 280.
An eastern Iowa Farm.
The siding at Walcott where that Iowa Interstate freight train was at yesterday.
This is where the Dinner Train went to last night just east of the Grain Elevator in Walcott. This is where my new mileage starts today.
Corn farm were the corn stalks had been cut.
In the field only a part of the corn stalks had been cut.
It was fun watching the chasers on the road alongside of our route. This van is being driven by my good friend Keith Schimdt, who was the official videographer of these QJ trips for Flood Relief. We spotted a Rock Island Station still standing in Wilton.
Later the train crossed the Cedar River, one of the rivers that flooded out many towns in Southeastern Iowa.
The train was greeted by town folks in West Liberty.
The West Liberty Rock Island Station.
Another farm as we approached Iowa City.
A line of trees.
More corn fields along our route.
The Iowa Interstate Freight Yard.
The train has arrived into Iowa City at the Rock Island Station.
Three views of our train after I detrained at Iowa City.
A few minutes later, the QJ's backed the train by the Rock Island Station and I must say it had been a wonderful two days with the Iowa Interstate Chinese built QJ's. I was then interviewed by Channel 7 of Iowa City and that video is now on their web site. We headed back to the car to leave Iowa City.
