One Last Bolt: A Farewell To Iowa Interstate 6988

Описание: With the last excursion runs held last year, the future of Iowa Interstate's 6988 and 7081 seemed bleak. Confined to a shop with minimal space and equipment to perform a proper rebuild and inspection, many wondered if the sister "QJs" might ever turn a wheel under their own power again. Until Railroading Heritage of Midwest America purchased the former Rock Island shops in Silvis Illinois as part of their vision for a "museum of steam". Within months after this, the first new residents of the complex were announced: UP 3985, 6936 and friends as gifts from Ed Dickens and the Union Pacific, and 6988, given another chance at life!
So it was two weeks ago, the "Iowa Bolt" was fired up one last time (with special permission from the FRA of course) for the trek to her new home, and boy, was it ever one. She didn't run "light" of course, IAIS put her to work; 13 loaded tank cars, one empty hopper, and a GP38-2 were tucked behind her aux tender, tool car, and a duo of the P70 coaches. Leaving Newton, she made pauses at Grinnel and Brooklyn, staying over a little longer at the latter thanks to an air brake gremlin, before barnstorming east to South Amana. After a switch crew returned to the yard and a quick inspection, she fought up the grade at Homestead and flew the rest of the way to Iowa City, pausing there for another break before making the final tear east to the Mississippi River, roaring through West Liberty and stomping up Stockton Hill in the process. In a fitting ending, she holds at the Government Bridge in Davenport for a barge, before finally crossing the river for what will be the last time in several years, offering a final whistle salute to her homeland as she leaves it behind, for now.
This wasn't "Goodbye", more like, "See You Later".

Enjoy Everybody! There is plenty more to come!