Big steam-Quad Cities

jwallis · **Posted:** Fri Sep 01, 2006 12:45 am

Just read the trains newswire announcing that 261 will deadhead the consist for the QJ trips. With 261 there, this will surely be the big steam event of the year. I wish I could be there to see it!

Don C. · **Posted:** Fri Sep 01, 2006 10:07 am

It could be as many as twelve days of 261 under steam in Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois peppered with as much as a week of two live QJs. There will be no diesel tucked in behind the locomotives to provide HEP and satisfy the Amtrak requirements. The daylight run from LaCrescent, MN, to the Quad Cities down the west bank of the Mississippi on Monday, September 11, should be a photographer's dream. Most, if not all, of the consist will be painted in Milwaukee Road colors. For anyone with a week of vacation and in need of a "steam fix", this should fit the bill. It will probably be the biggest gathering of live steam in the U.S. in 2006.

Don C.

Don C. · **Posted:** Sun Sep 03, 2006 5:43 pm

I just spoke to one of the steam people who was contracted to work on the two QJs at Iowa City. 6988 was hydroed yesterday and passed. Today it is under steam (she popped-off as he and I were speaking on the phone at 430pm CDT). This should put to rest any rumors about the serviceability of the two QJs. Tickets are still available for the trips out of the Quad Cities on 9/14 through 9/17 at www.261.com

Don C.

Steve Singer · **Posted:** Sun Sep 03, 2006 6:28 pm

Saw so many QJs in the 1980s I got tired of them, but gosh, I wish I could be there. Should be quite a show.

Mgoldman · **Posted:** Tue Sep 05, 2006 3:03 am

Does anyone know definitively, whether there will be runbys provided for the riders of the excursion(s)?

Are photographer "tickets" still available and other then a worthy donation, is there any type of perk /access provided? I no longer see the photographer tickets on the site, where did they go?

Thanks

Mark D. · **Posted:** Tue Sep 05, 2006 12:06 pm

I don't think runby's have ever been guaranteed. Rather, they are done when the host railroad, time, other rules, geography, and weather permit.
I would guess that there may be a runby or three at some point in at least one or some of the excursions. But if, when, and where are all dependent upon circumstances.
I've read the photographer's special thing is no longer on the web site. AFAIK, it didn't offer anything particularly special. It was more of a donation to help with the upcoming overhaul of the Milwaukee Road 261 locomotive.
Mark D.