Covering the Midwest: Entertainment City, Mason City, Twin Cities, and Quad Cities

[stlgevo51]

On July 14th, I made a trip to Branson, MO, with some family members on Vacation. While I was there, I was able to shoot the unique Branson Scenic Railway, a tourist operation operating out of the downtown Branson area. Most of these shots are from nearby Hollister, but the last shot is the Branson depot.


GP30 in Hollister by stlgevo51, on Flickr

F9PH in Hollister by stlgevo51, on Flickr

BSRX 99 by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Hollister Depot by stlgevo51, on Flickr

F9PH at the Station by stlgevo51, on Flickr

 

[stlgevo51]

Immediately when I got back home, we got in another car and went north. We needed to be in St. Paul the next day at noon, so we had a long drive. However, our trip was productive, as we stayed in Mason City, IA, for the night. Mason City is home to the Iowa Traction Railroad, one of the last electric freight operations in the country.

That night, I took some night shots near the AGP plant in Mason City.

Iowa Traction Steeplecabs by stlgevo51, on Flickr

IATR 54 and the Moon by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Electricity and Industry by stlgevo51, on Flickr
The next day, we got up and saw that the IATR was moving. We chased it to their yard where we watched them switch a little, but we had to get moving towards Minnesota.

Catenary Cave by stlgevo51, on Flickr

IATR 51 Near the Shops by stlgevo51, on Flickr

 

[stlgevo51]

Twin Cities

We didn't get to do much railfanning in the Twin Cities, but I did some. The first two shots are from the CP near the Ford Plant. The first shot has a SOO GP38-2, which is rare for me.

CP and SOO by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Pulling From the Ford Plant by stlgevo51, on Flickr
We also swung by the Minnesota Commercial. The MC has some really cool power, and not an EMD in sight! All operations are carried out by old GEs, ALCOs, and MLWs!

Cool Power by stlgevo51, on Flickr

T-2, an Oddball by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Minnesota Commercial 75 by stlgevo51, on Flickr

 

[stlgevo51]

Quad Cities-Trainfestival2011: Day 1

We departed the Twin Cities and headed for the Quad Cities and Trainfestival2011. That Friday, I chased the NKP 765 to Bureau and back. We took a break in midday, but we were back for the sunny afternoon run as the Nickel Plate Berkshire returned to the festival.


A Nice Way to Start by stlgevo51, on Flickr

765: East Moline by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Blasting throught colona by stlgevo51, on Flickr

The Sun is out at Mineral by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Blasting Off in Atkinson by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Rock River Bridge and Steam by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Slowing for the Quad Cities by stlgevo51, on Flickr

NKP 765 by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Stopping Traffic by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Almost There! by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Smokin' by stlgevo51, on Flickr

 

[stlgevo51]

Quad Cities-Trainfestival2011: Day 2

Saturday brought more steam as we attempted to chase the 6988 on its trip to Iowa City. We failed miserably, only ending up with 1 shot. We chased the Walcott excursion from Davenport to Walcott and back before getting some lunch. Our last shots from the trip are of the 7081 leading the second Walcott excursion westbound.


IAIS Rock Island Heritage Unit by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Dumb Cars by stlgevo51, on Flickr

IAIS 6988 over Government Bridge by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Starting Off on the Right Track by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Not Quite a "Santa Fe" by stlgevo51, on Flickr

All You Can Eat by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Backing to the Quad Cities by stlgevo51, on Flickr

One Last Shot by stlgevo51, on Flickr

Bringing up the Rear by stlgevo51, on Flickr

 

[stlgevo51]

Videos

I will add Videos as I edit them. Here's the first one, the NKP 765 chase:

Looking back, I wish I would have had more time in the Quad Cities to go to the festival. I wanted to see the engines on display there. Also, we have to go back to the Twin Cities often, so although the stay wasn't great this time, next time I will have a better understanding of where the rail action is. I need to get back to the MC to get some better shots of the rare power!

Thanks for looking!

 

[-chet]

Id say the CRIP unit is a win.

That IATR machine is great.

 

[brad_in_omaha]

Awesome Shots stlgevo51! Really good stuff! That second to last shot is probably my favorite with the smoke between the trees!

 

[MattM]

Iowa Traction has always been one of my favorite lines and your photos did it good justice.

 

[stlgevo51]

Thanks guys! I really like the IATR too!

Brad- I liked that shot as well! Something about a smokey steam engine is always cool to see.

 

[Bill Anderson]

Quite a trip. You saw a lot of interesting engines: Alcos, traction, steam, F unit, special paint schemes.

 

[AlcoFanRS27]

Nice photos, love the ones of 765. I like the Iowa Traction ones, I haven't seen many of them.

 

[stlgevo51]

Thanks guys! You are right Bill, I did see a lot of interesting locomotives!