Returning from Altoona with an excursion, Iowa Interstate "QJ" 6988 puts on a great show!

Railfans who were fortunate enough to witness the last years of steam on the Jitong Railway will never forget the experience, particularly if they braved the sub-freezing temperatures to capture t... (more)

6988 is out in the country but will soon arrive in Mitchellville.

Iowa Interstate QJ 6988 leads a excursion east, just west of Michellville.

Iowa Interstate QJ 6988 leads a excursion into Mitchellville. Word on the street has it this is the last weekend of excursions for the 6988 before retirement.

6988 leads one of its trips back into Mitchellville, where it will re-load passengers.

IAIS QJ 6988 leads the 2nd trip out of five up the hill and into Altoona.

IAIS QJ #6988 leads an eastbound passenger train at Altoona Iowa.

IAIS 6988 leads her second steam excursion trip of the day towards Mitchellville where she will take on 1,000 more gallons of water. IAIS 703 would lead the train West and 6988 would take it back ... (more)

In preparation for a weekend excursion, volunteers fill the tender and make final adjustments to the QJ. The train will run on both Saturday and Sunday to support fire departments along Iowa Inter... (more)

A line of steam engines and cranes rust away at IRM.

Dressed in it's new livery, IAIS QJ 6988 goes for a blue flag test run on the house track at Newton. Gone is everything white to be replaced with IAIS yellow and "GEVO lightening bolts" on the ele... (more)

The SP 975 sits in low, early morning light on the steam service tracks at IRM. The 975 is an ALCO product, produced in 1918.