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The Railroading Heritage of Midwest America held its annual "Walk Amongst Giants" fundraiser on June 29, 2024. The fundraiser allows visitors to go inside the former Rock Island steam shops in Silvis, IL to view the progress of restoration efforts on UP 3985 and UP 5511 (for a fee).

Incidentally, CP 2816, the "Empress" steam locomotive, was on her way back to Canada after leading CPKC's business train to Mexico as part of CPKC's "Final Spike Steam Tour" to celebrate the 1-year anniversary of the CP-KCS merger and was laying over in the Quad Cities for a couple days. Originally the locomotive was going to lead an excursion out of Silvis on Iowa Interstate trackage, but that was subsequently cancelled, so the CPKC crew offered to put the locomotive on display in Silvis during the RRHMA event.

After the event, 2816's crew had to gingerly reverse out of Silvis back to Nahant Yard in Davenport, IA to re-attach to its trainset. Part of that reverse move consisted of backing across the famous rail/road Government Bridge connecting Moline, IL and Davenport, IA. Here, the crew looks ahead as the Empress makes her entrance onto the bridge.

It was about a month ago when this same engine was passing underneath the bridge on the Davenport side of the river when
leading the Tour train down to Mexico; nice full circle moment here.

The Railroading Heritage of Midwest America held its annual "Walk Amongst Giants" fundraiser on June 29, 2024. The fundraiser allows visitors to go inside the former Rock Island steam shops in Silvis, IL to view the progress of restoration efforts on UP 3985 and UP 5511 (for a fee).

Incidentally, CP 2816, the "Empress" steam locomotive, was on her way back to Canada after leading CPKC's business train to Mexico as part of CPKC's "Final Spike Steam Tour" to celebrate the 1-year anniversary of the CP-KCS merger and was laying over in the Quad Cities for a couple days. Originally the locomotive was going to lead an excursion out of Silvis on Iowa Interstate trackage, but that was subsequently cancelled, so the CPKC crew offered to put the locomotive on display in Silvis during the RRHMA event.

After the event was over, 2816's crew had the task of reversing the locomotive out of Silvis and through downtown Moline to the Government Bridge, where it would cross the Mississippi River to get back to its trainset in Nahant Yard in Davenport, IA. Here, the crew trundles along at a reduced pace through the west side of Moline, passing the brick facade of the Williams White & Co. building, which bears witness to the passage of a nearly 100-year-old steam locomotive that is somehow still younger than the company she is passing.

The Railroading Heritage of Midwest America held its annual "Walk Amongst Giants" fundraiser on June 29, 2024. The fundraiser allows visitors to go inside the former Rock Island steam shops in Silvis, IL to view the progress of restoration efforts on UP 3985 and UP 5511 (for a fee).

This year, the organization's Centennial diesel locomotive, UP 6936 (formerly owned by Union Pacific before being donated to RRHMA two years ago and now newly restored to operation), was assigned to a short three car train for an onboard Operation Lifesaver presentation.

Incidentally, CP 2816, the "Empress" steam locomotive, was on her way back to Canada after leading CPKC's business train to Mexico as part of CPKC's "Final Spike Steam Tour" to celebrate the 1-year anniversary of the CP-KCS merger and was laying over in the Quad Cities for a couple days. Originally the locomotive was going to lead an excursion out of Silvis on Iowa Interstate trackage, but that was subsequently cancelled, so the CPKC crew offered to put the locomotive on display in Silvis during the RRHMA event.

So here we are, two iconic locomotives of two historic railroad companies meeting face to face, likely for the first time in history. Pretty neat.

See this link for a view on the other side of the track:
www.flickr.com/photos/133078587@N08/53869724869/in/datepo...

The Railroading Heritage of Midwest America held its annual "Walk Amongst Giants" fundraiser on June 29, 2024. The fundraiser allows visitors to go inside the former Rock Island steam shops in Silvis, IL to view the progress of restoration efforts on UP 3985 and UP 5511 (for a fee).

This year, the organization's Centennial diesel locomotive, UP 6936 (formerly owned by Union Pacific before being donated to RRHMA two years ago and now newly restored to operation), was assigned to a short three car train for an onboard Operation Lifesaver presentation.

Incidentally, CP 2816, the "Empress" steam locomotive, was on her way back to Canada after leading CPKC's business train to Mexico as part of CPKC's "Final Spike Steam Tour" to celebrate the 1-year anniversary of the CP-KCS merger and was laying over in the Quad Cities for a couple days. Originally the locomotive was going to lead an excursion out of Silvis on Iowa Interstate trackage, but that was subsequently cancelled, so the CPKC crew offered to put the locomotive on display in Silvis during the RRHMA event.

So here we are, two iconic locomotives of two historic railroad companies meeting face to face, likely for the first time in history. Pretty neat.

See this link for a view on the other side of the track:
www.flickr.com/photos/133078587@N08/53872406963/in/datepo...

A four part series of CB&Q 4-6-4 Hudson #3001, sitting on display outside the Amtrak station in Ottumwa, IA.

A four part series of CB&Q 4-6-4 Hudson #3001, sitting on display outside the Amtrak station in Ottumwa, IA.

A four part series of CB&Q 4-6-4 Hudson #3001, sitting on display outside the Amtrak station in Ottumwa, IA.

This week, I had the immense privilege to witness CP 2816, the "Empress" 4-6-4 Hudson steam locomotive, make its trek south on the Final Spike Steam Tour celebrating the Canadian Pacific - Kansas City Southern merger that occurred 1 year ago. This is the locomotive's first extensive tour in over 17 years, having sat in storage until being chosen to lead this special anniversary train to Mexico City, emphasizing the new railroad's ability to link three different countries on one continent.

Because of its significance, I chose to chase the train from the Twin Cities to southeastern Iowa - four different states over 10 days, by far the longest chase I have ever attempted.

Here, the Empress departs the display in Davenport and heads back to Nahant Yard, passing by Modern Woodmen Park, home of the Quad Cities River Bandits, a minor league baseball team.

This week, I had the immense privilege to witness CP 2816, the "Empress" 4-6-4 Hudson steam locomotive, make its trek south on the Final Spike Steam Tour celebrating the Canadian Pacific - Kansas City Southern merger that occurred 1 year ago. This is the locomotive's first extensive tour in over 17 years, having sat in storage until being chosen to lead this special anniversary train to Mexico City, emphasizing the new railroad's ability to link three different countries on one continent.

Because of its significance, I chose to chase the train from the Twin Cities to southeastern Iowa - four different states over 10 days, by far the longest chase I have ever attempted.

Here, the Empress and her train chug across the Iowa River in Fredonia, IA.

This week, I had the immense privilege to witness CP 2816, the "Empress" 4-6-4 Hudson steam locomotive, make its trek south on the Final Spike Steam Tour celebrating the Canadian Pacific - Kansas City Southern merger that occurred 1 year ago. This is the locomotive's first extensive tour in over 17 years, having sat in storage until being chosen to lead this special anniversary train to Mexico City, emphasizing the new railroad's ability to link three different countries on one continent.

Because of its significance, I chose to chase the train from the Twin Cities to southeastern Iowa - four different states over 10 days, by far the longest chase I have ever attempted.

The Empress has now reached Ottumwa, IA, where she will make a quick stop at the CPKC yard office south of town. Before that, the train is seen here crossing the Des Moines River on the west side of town.

This week, I had the immense privilege to witness CP 2816, the "Empress" 4-6-4 Hudson steam locomotive, make its trek south on the Final Spike Steam Tour celebrating the Canadian Pacific - Kansas City Southern merger that occurred 1 year ago. This is the locomotive's first extensive tour in over 17 years, having sat in storage until being chosen to lead this special anniversary train to Mexico City, emphasizing the new railroad's ability to link three different countries on one continent.

Because of its significance, I chose to chase the train from the Twin Cities to southeastern Iowa - four different states over 10 days, by far the longest chase I have ever attempted.

The grand finale of my chase was capturing the Empress across one of three bridges southwest of Foster, IA, the middle one being arguably the most impressive of the three. The train is seen here crossing the structure in rural southern Iowa as it hustles south towards Kansas City.

What a great way to end the chase!

This week, I had the immense privilege to witness CP 2816, the "Empress" 4-6-4 Hudson steam locomotive, make its trek south on the Final Spike Steam Tour celebrating the Canadian Pacific - Kansas City Southern merger that occurred 1 year ago. This is the locomotive's first extensive tour in over 17 years, having sat in storage until being chosen to lead this special anniversary train to Mexico City, emphasizing the new railroad's ability to link three different countries on one continent.

Because of its significance, I chose to chase the train from the Twin Cities to southeastern Iowa - four different states over 10 days, by far the longest chase I have ever attempted.

One of the less commonly seen aspects of such a tour is the locomotive undergoing its maintenance chores. Here, members of the steam crew are busy looking over the Empress as it rests in Nahant Yard in Davenport, IA.

This week, I had the immense privilege to witness CP 2816, the "Empress" 4-6-4 Hudson steam locomotive, make its trek south on the Final Spike Steam Tour celebrating the Canadian Pacific - Kansas City Southern merger that occurred 1 year ago. This is the locomotive's first extensive tour in over 17 years, having sat in storage until being chosen to lead this special anniversary train to Mexico City, emphasizing the new railroad's ability to link three different countries on one continent.

Because of its significance, I chose to chase the train from the Twin Cities to southeastern Iowa - four different states over 10 days, by far the longest chase I have ever attempted.

Here, the Empress sits on display in downtown Davenport, IA, affording me the opportunity to get a little creative with it.

This week, I had the immense privilege to witness CP 2816, the "Empress" 4-6-4 Hudson steam locomotive, make its trek south on the Final Spike Steam Tour celebrating the Canadian Pacific - Kansas City Southern merger that occurred 1 year ago. This is the locomotive's first extensive tour in over 17 years, having sat in storage until being chosen to lead this special anniversary train to Mexico City, emphasizing the new railroad's ability to link three different countries on one continent.

Because of its significance, I chose to chase the train from the Twin Cities to southeastern Iowa - four different states over 10 days, by far the longest chase I have ever attempted.

One of the less commonly seen aspects of such a tour is the locomotive undergoing its maintenance chores. Here, the Empress is partially obscured by an oil truck, which is helping refuel the locomotive (which was converted to oil-burning) while it rests in Nahant Yard in Davenport, IA.

This week, I had the immense privilege to witness CP 2816, the "Empress" 4-6-4 Hudson steam locomotive, make its trek south on the Final Spike Steam Tour celebrating the Canadian Pacific - Kansas City Southern merger that occurred 1 year ago. This is the locomotive's first extensive tour in over 17 years, having sat in storage until being chosen to lead this special anniversary train to Mexico City, emphasizing the new railroad's ability to link three different countries on one continent.

Because of its significance, I chose to chase the train from the Twin Cities to southeastern Iowa - four different states over 10 days, by far the longest chase I have ever attempted.

Here, as seen from Davenport, IA's famous Skybridge, the Empress can be seen chugging along the shores of the Mississippi River in the distance. In a few minutes, the train will pass underneath the Government Bridge - a combination road / rail swing bridge that carries Iowa Interstate traffic - in the foreground.

This week, I had the immense privilege to witness CP 2816, the "Empress" 4-6-4 Hudson steam locomotive, make its trek south on the Final Spike Steam Tour celebrating the Canadian Pacific - Kansas City Southern merger that occurred 1 year ago. This is the locomotive's first extensive tour in over 17 years, having sat in storage until being chosen to lead this special anniversary train to Mexico City, emphasizing the new railroad's ability to link three different countries on one continent.

Because of its significance, I chose to chase the train from the Twin Cities to southeastern Iowa - four different states over 10 days, by far the longest chase I have ever attempted.

Here, the Empress is seen arriving in Davenport, IA, passing underneath the famous Government Bridge that is used by both cars and Iowa Interstate freights.

This week, I had the immense privilege to witness CP 2816, the "Empress" 4-6-4 Hudson steam locomotive, make its trek south on the Final Spike Steam Tour celebrating the Canadian Pacific - Kansas City Southern merger that occurred 1 year ago. This is the locomotive's first extensive tour in over 17 years, having sat in storage until being chosen to lead this special anniversary train to Mexico City, emphasizing the new railroad's ability to link three different countries on one continent.

Because of its significance, I chose to chase the train from the Twin Cities to southeastern Iowa - four different states over 10 days, by far the longest chase I have ever attempted.

Here is another view of the Empress passing through Davenport, IA, which includes such sights as the Government Bridge and a portion of the roller dam on the Mississippi River.

This week, I had the immense privilege to witness CP 2816, the "Empress" 4-6-4 Hudson steam locomotive, make its trek south on the Final Spike Steam Tour celebrating the Canadian Pacific - Kansas City Southern merger that occurred 1 year ago. This is the locomotive's first extensive tour in over 17 years, having sat in storage until being chosen to lead this special anniversary train to Mexico City, emphasizing the new railroad's ability to link three different countries on one continent.

Because of its significance, I chose to chase the train from the Twin Cities to southeastern Iowa - four different states over 10 days, by far the longest chase I have ever attempted.

Here, the Empress has been spotted for display underneath the famous Skybridge in Davenport, IA, as an eager crowd gathers around to witness the beautiful engine.

This week, I had the immense privilege to witness CP 2816, the "Empress" 4-6-4 Hudson steam locomotive, make its trek south on the Final Spike Steam Tour celebrating the Canadian Pacific - Kansas City Southern merger that occurred 1 year ago. This is the locomotive's first extensive tour in over 17 years, having sat in storage until being chosen to lead this special anniversary train to Mexico City, emphasizing the new railroad's ability to link three different countries on one continent.

Because of its significance, I chose to chase the train from the Twin Cities to southeastern Iowa - four different states over 10 days, by far the longest chase I have ever attempted.

Here, a crowd looks on as the Empress sits on display in downtown Davenport, IA. In the background is the roller dam on the Mississippi River and the clock tower of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island Arsenal building.

This week, I had the immense privilege to witness CP 2816, the "Empress" 4-6-4 Hudson steam locomotive, make its trek south on the Final Spike Steam Tour celebrating the Canadian Pacific - Kansas City Southern merger that occurred 1 year ago. This is the locomotive's first extensive tour in over 17 years, having sat in storage until being chosen to lead this special anniversary train to Mexico City, emphasizing the new railroad's ability to link three different countries on one continent.

Because of its significance, I chose to chase the train from the Twin Cities to southeastern Iowa - four different states over 10 days, by far the longest chase I have ever attempted.

On this rainy morning, the Empress begins its journey to Davenport, IA, and it puts on a show as it passes spectators gathered around the historic Bartlett, IL depot on Metra's MD-W line.