Steam on the Iowa Interstate

As reported in Progressive Railroading's daily news e-newsletter: Iowa Interstate to break out steam locomotives for Salvation Army benefit. After suffering track damage from heavy floods in June, Iowa Interstate Railroad Ltd. (IAIS) will offer some relief to Iowa and Illinois communities that also were impacted by the flooding.
On Oct. 18-19 IAIS will operate two steam locomotives owned by parent Railroad Development Corp. (RDC) during special events organized to benefit the Salvation Army's flood-relief efforts. The city of Rock Island, Illinois is hosting and coordinating various rail-oriented events over the course of the two days.
On Oct. 18, a double-headed freight train will travel from Iowa City, Iowa to Rock Island in an attempt to set a new record for steam-hauled revenue tonnage. IAIS will split the locomotives in Rock Island and operate passenger excursion shuttles east to Silvis, Ill. and west to Walcott, Iowa. At night the railroad will provide a private evening dinner trip for special guests catered by RDC "celebrity chef's"from Pittsburgh, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Peru and Guatemala.
On October 19, IAIS will operate a one-way limited excursion train from Rock Island to Iowa City, then return the steam locomotives to their home in Newton, Iowa.
- Any details on these events would be appreciated. Thanks.

Maybe tim will chime in...


Sounds like a fun road trip

The two locomotives are Chinese Q-J class 2-10-2 engines. The City of Rock Island, IL will have more information posted on their website, www.rigov.org by the end of August. Besides the steam excursion visiting Iowa City that Saturday, the Hawkeye Express will be also be running that day because of the Wisconsin-Iowa football game.

Train tickets are now available by going the City of Rock Island's website or by calling the Rock Island Park & Recreation Department at (309) 732-7275. There will be six trips on Saturday. Three excursions between Rock Island and Silvis. The Silvis bound train departs at noon, 2 PM and 4 PM. Two excursions between Rock Island and Walcott. The Walcott bound train departs at 1 PM and 3 PM. Tickets for the Silvis and Walcott trips runs $40 for adults and $25 for children under twelve years of age. Children under three years old are free, if they do not occupy a seat. There will also be a dinner train at 6:00 PM. Tickets for the dinner train are $150.
On Sunday there will be a trip to Iowa City. It departs at 8:30 AM. Coach seats cost $125. Premium seats are also available. for

Found some info on the IAIS web site:

http://www.iaisrr.com/sites/iaisrr.com/ ... 0Train.pdf

Wow a big steam trip planned for my fall break and it's nearby too! Too bad I already have other train riding plans, go freakin figure... Take good pics, guys! Maybe even youtube it.

https://www.press-citizen.com/story/ent ... 483167001/

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Iowa Interstate Railroad will provide its huge, Chinese-made, coal-fired steam locomotive and five refurbished antique passenger cars to make five excursion trips from Oxford to Iowa City and back on July 4. Each trip will haul 350 riders boarding near Old Roy’s bar and grill.

Advance tickets are being sold online through the “Oxford Fire Department, Iowa” Facebook page as an equipment fundraiser for the local firefighters. Nearly half of the 1,750 available tickets have already been purchased and one time slot is sold out.

“Our town was first platted in 1856,” said Judy Schwab, chair of the eight-member core committee which has been working nearly two years on this celebration. “But the name was changed from Tank Town to Oxford when it officially became a town in 1868.”
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https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews ... xcursions/

DES MOINES, Iowa – Central States Steam Preservation Association and the Iowa Interstate Railroad, in partnership with Operation Lifesaver and the Science Center of Iowa, will run short passenger trips out of downtown Des Moines with the Iowa Bolt 2-10-2 steam locomotive No. 6988 Labor Day Weekend.

This event will put Operation Lifesaver at the forefront of the weekend to promote railway safety; as well as an opportunity for the public to see and learn about steam and its history. The Steam Preservation Association is also pleased to partner with the Science Center of Iowa, a non-profit with the similar mission of engaging and educating Iowans along their journey of lifelong science learning.

Riders will be able to enjoy an operating display from Operation Lifesaver to learn about railway safety, and a trip into the Iowa countryside behind the Chinese-built QJ No. 6988 as a part of this event. They can also enjoy the rest of what the Science Center of Iowa has to offer, such as a Mini Makers Fair on Monday, Sept. 6, for an additional fee.
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