Trainfestival 2011 was an enjoyable experience. The 765 was there, the two Chinese built QJ 2-10-2s, Viscose #6, the Grambling family's TWO tank engines, the magnificent Leviathan, the 1936 Nebraska Zephyr, and a variety of diesels (including a pre-war E-5 on the Zephyr).
For our drive up, we stopped briefly at the NKP 2-8-2 in Bloomington, IL.
She's essentially a USRA copy built by Lima in the 1920s. Ray B. has built some gorgeous models of these engines in HO.
We attempted to catch 765 on the return leg of her day long excursion, but she was moving at track speed for much of it and we didn't catch here until she pulled into Moline alongside us as we sat at a stop light!
The way it worked out (having my toddler along but not my wife), I didn't get many good photos...this is the closest thing to a side view of the Leviathan:
Leviathan did make at least one fine demonstration run...1000'+
There were 2 hour and day long excursions
The steam engines took turns pulling the 2 hour trips, with an Iowa Interstate RR GP on the rear end. This one had an Iowa Interstate 2-10-2.
It backed up to the Rock Island yard in Rock Island, IL and then ran across the bridge to the Rock Island, past the arsenal, and then across the 1890s bridge into Davenport. The passenger cars for this were from the Iowa Interstate RR and Mid America Car Leasing...heavy enough for a nice show on the 1% grade.
The older of the two QJs...1985! The younger one is from 1986! While the design is older than the 765 (a Russian version of an American design, iirc), you can tell that it is newer in the details. Additionally, the engineer sits on the wrong side and the controls are a little different. Neat engines.
In addition to the trains, there was a river boat for cruises on the Mississippi.
That's the Burlington's bridge closing after our boat for the 2:30 crew change.
Among the most intriguing "toys" at the festival were these 100-107 year old amusement park locomotives, Cagneys.
They've been restored and Wasatch is offering new ones.
The actual trains were located in a Burlington yard. The festival portion was at a beautiful city park next door.
There were a few nice diesels as well (it is rare for me to refer to a diesel as "nice")
This beautiful SW-7 wore different slogans on each of her sides...gorgeous...and was used for some real switching on one of the mornings.
The C&NW F-unit couldn't compete with her fellow Illinois Railway Museum sisters for cosmetic appeal.
I particularly enjoyed the contrast of the Burlington E-5 parked alongside the modern 4400 HP BNSF diesel (thank you BNSF for helping make this happen and for providing a display diesel!). The technology gap between the Leviathan and the NKP Berks is about the same as the gap between these diesels.
On the ride home, we stopped in Galesburg for the Burlington 4-6-4.
I remember seeing that engine from an Amtrak train when I was 5 years old...on my way to Como, Breckenridge, and Alpine Tunnel.
As much as I love steam...the class of the show was the 1936 Nebraska Zephyr
Not the 1940ish diesel, but the passenger cars!
What an unusual vestibule!
And the unique ceiling in the car...sort of the opposite of a clerestory!
The kitchen, which was being used to prepare diner for the night, was still authentic with charcoal stoves and a working ice box! The resemblance to the galley of the 1939 Pullman/NYC 6 BR-Buffet-Lounge car my father used to own was uncanny (but this was about 3x the size); surprisingly, the Zephyr wasn't anywhere near as ornate).
One of my co-workers made rode the Zephyr on its all-day excursion and still managed to pull off the 7+ hour drive home last night. I'd like to get up to IRM to ride it as well.
What a neat train!
