Shots from Train Festival 2011

[kschmidt626]

With temps approaching 100 degrees on the drive to the Quad Cities it was going to be a long hot weekend. But some of the stuff that was going to be happening might just make it worth the time and bearing with the heat and humidity.

Train Festival 2011 was held in the Quad Cities area of Iowa/Illinois. The guest "stars" included the Nickel Plate #765 on its first visit east of the Mississippi River when it pulled a trip to Walcott, IA. The Nebraska Zephyr and other vintage diesels from Illinois Railway Museum. Of course the host railroad had some special items to show off including the recently "Americanized" QJ #6988 and pretty much still as is Chinese QJ #7081. Also the Iowa Interstate #513 the GEVO painted in the special Rock Island heritage scheme. Plus other steam engine including the Flagg Coal #75 and the Leviathan. All in all a great weekend. Weather didn't alway cooperate. The weather caused one night session to be cancelled and a second to be shortened due to approaching severe weather.

Here are some sample shots from the weekend.

To see more shots from Train Festival check out http://www.flickr.com/photos/22338037@N04/sets/72157627164179735/

NKP #765 eastbound at Colona passing the approach signal for the interchange with the BNSF.

NKP #765 now westbound from Bureau Junction just east of Tiskilwa, IL

A Familiar face in the engineer seat of #765 Ken Ristow a local steam engineer at the Milwaukee Co Zoo

Iowa Interstate #6988 Americanized QJ charges through the street running in Davenport, IA

#6988 eases into West Liberty to let passenger detrain for a photo run-by

What a difference several decades makes

IAIS #513 and Nebraska Zephyr poses for photos

To see more shots from Train Festival 2011 check out my Flickr Page
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22338037@N04/sets/72157627164179735/with/5978835807/

I will be adding more shots as time permits.

Keith Schmidt

 

[Zoohogger]

Thanks for posting these

Fun stuff, Keith.
Nice looking photos. Who could have imagined seeing an NKP Berk on
Rock Island tracks in Iowa.
I was only across the state to the west, but couldn't get there. Thanks for putting up these shots. At least I see good examples of what I missed.

6988 doesn't look half bad. What kind of whistle did they have on it?

 

[stlgevo51]

6988 doesn't look half bad. What kind of whistle did they have on it?

The whistle sounded like Cotton Belt 819's whistle, but someone replied to a comment I left on a Youtube video saying it was an IC 6 chime.

Nice shots Keith. On your afternoon shot from Moline on your Flickr page, I was standing just across the tracks from you. I should have my photos up in the next couple of days.

 

[papio]

Great shots Keith!

 

[brad_in_omaha]

Awesome Shots Keith! I really wish I had time to get over there. Hopefully the next one in 2013 or 2014...

 

[radiokid43]

Great pic, We came through on I80 last weekend and I saw on the Highway Signs about this. Would have loved to stop but had limited time to get to our destination.

On our way in IL, I noticed a railbridge with a CNW System sign on both sides of the bridge and they were in great condition. They are surviving atleast.

 

[SDJeff]

Awesome report and photos.

 

[kschmidt626]

Got some more shots ready and posted from Train Festival.

Check them out at http://www.flickr.com/photos/22338037@N04/sets/72157627164179735/

Nebraska Zephyr passes an elevator in Mineral, IL unfortunately rain and clouds didn't go away

Things were starting to clear up a bit as the eastbound Zephyr rolls by Ford Road just east of Geneseo, IL

Amtrak Heritage units powered a special train from Chicago to Rock Island and return. They were also part of the Night Photo Session on Saturday.

A "SHOCKING" Night at Train Festival. Lightning caused the cancellation of the Thursday night session and shortened the Friday night session as the heat/humidity led to some big storms rolling through each night.

Keith

 

[BuddyBurton]

That last shot is awesome!!!

 

[kschmidt626]

Thanks for the nice comments. It took about 30 shots to get that lightning shot. Altogether I think I got 4 shots with lightning bolts in them out of about 30 shots. Was using about 30 sec exposures and it worked.

Keith

 

[brad_in_omaha]

Awesome! I love the Nebraska Zephyr!