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The big event in railroading during the hot summer of 2011 was the Train Festival in Rock Island, IL. The four-day event was held along the Mississippi Riverfront in downtown Rock Island on park land and the adjacent rail yards.

Among the highlights were seven steam locomotives: QJs 6988 and 7081 from Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS), NKP #765 from Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, Flagg Coal #75 and Lehigh Valley Coal #126 from Gramling Locomotive, and privately owned Viscose #6 and Leviathan #63. The Illinois Railway Museum arrived with the streamlined Nebraska Zephyr train-set with its stainless steel-clad E5 #9911-A plus two classic diesels from their collection. In addition, modern equipment was on hand from Iowa Interstate, BNSF, and Iowa, Chicago & Eastern. Amtrak sent two units painted in Heritage 1 and Heritage 2 paint schemes to mark their 40th anniversary.

Two daily round trips from the Festival to Walcott, IA over the famous Government  (Arsenal) Bridge led by one of the big steam locomotives brought many opportunities to ride and railfan in both urban and rural settings. There were also day-long trips, notably Bureau Junction, IL trips, one led by #765 and the other with the Nebraska Zephyr. A third trip led by newly “Americanized” QJ 6988 to Iowa City was also popular. All trips during the Festival were sold out in advance.

On the Festival grounds there were equipment displays, vendors, food, children’s activities, and a live-steam demonstration. 

The other significant opportunities for viewing steam railroading were the ferry moves by the large locomotives. The QJs came from Newton, IA as a double-header, first hauling a passenger consist to Iowa City, then a record setting freight train to Rock Island. After the Festival the QJs completed the trip to Newton during a one-day fast paced jaunt to Newton with the tool and water cars, two IAIS business cars, and a short freight train.

As for #765, it started out near North Judson, IN where it had served earlier in the summer at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum. It took a somewhat convoluted route to get it to Logansport, IN where it reached the Toledo, Peoria & Western (TP&W) for it’s straight west shot to East Peoria to gain IAIS tracks. It was on the TP&W when the excessive heat caused the railroad to limit the speed to about 10 miles per hour, then finally halted all traffic on the railroad as the temperature climbed above 100 F. The locomotive continued its trip after sundown and arrived at East Peoria in the wee hours, then pressed on to Rock Island. After the Festival, #765 made a much speedier trip back to Logansport. 

The Festival itself was a joy. The site was ideal spreading out along the river. Plus it was across the street from downtown businesses and restaurants, with plenty of low cost or free parking. The displays were arranged for easy access plus there were vantage points for a wider view from Centennial Bridge over the rail yard, or from the Great River Trail on top of the levee.

The only negative was the record-breaking heatwave that descended upon the Midwest, plus some wild thunderstorms. But, it’s July, and those things happen. Bravo to the volunteers and especially the steam engine crews for carrying on despite the discomfort.

Despite the overall success of the event, apparently the promoters did not meet their expectations, and some creditors were left without being paid. Although the parties are working to reach agreements, it does put a large cloud over future events such as this. It’s been reported that other such festivals in recent years have had marginal or no profits as well, so we will all need to hold our collective breath that it does not mean an end to ambitious events of this kind. 

Our video record of the Rock Island Train Festival, excursions, and locomotive ferry moves can be found on our DVDs Steamin’ Summer Volume 2 & Steamin' Summer Volume 3. If you were there, maybe you’ll see yourself! And if you weren’t able to make the event, here is your best chance to see what you missed.

Thanks, Steve Mitchell, Yard Goat Images

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