| By: | Gary Everhart |
| Dates: | 7/22/2011 - 7/23/2011 |
| Album Info: | Definitely two stars at the 2011 Rock Island Train Festival were the two Chinese built steam engines owned and operated by the Iowa Interstate RR. The two locomotives, class QJ 2-10-2s No. 6988 and 7081, were built in 1985 and 1986, respectively, by China's Datong Locomotive Works. Pittsburgh-based Railroad Development Corp., the owner of the 500-mile regional Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS), purchased the engines in 2006. They were brought up to American standards while in China and then shipped and loaded onto flatcars in Houston. Their debut was the RiverWay 2006 Rock Island anniversary festival . Still just as impressive to those attending the Train Festival. Interesting to note that #6988 has been repainted to appear more like an American steam engine while 7081 remains in the traditional Chinese paint scheme. More pics of each one will be in later albums dedicated to each one separately. |
