In the first of two encores before her boiler certification expires later this year, Iowa Interstate "QJ" 6988 ventured out from her home at the shops in Newton Iowa to pull a weekend's worth of trips benefiting local fire departments, firstly in Oxford Iowa on August 21st, then again in Wilton IA on the 22nd. Not ones to miss such a grand steam show as this, my friends and I made the trek west to spend a fleeting three days with the "Iowa Bolt". Starting on Friday the 20th, you'll see the ferry move from Newton, as the "Santa Fe Type" hauls her support cars, 11 tankers, and GP38-2 No.707 to South Amana to meet up with the excursion equipment. Once freight has been swapped for passenger, hold on, as you'll bear witness to this 2-10-2 in her natural element: thundering along the ex-CRI&P, putting on a show for the local crowds with running starts, fully displaying the brand of magic that only a steam locomotive can. You'll also see the ferry moves to Oxford and Wilton respectively, shooting at such name locations as Homestead, Kent Park, Tiffen, and the Cedar River Bridge at Moscow. Enjoy Everybody! There is plenty more to come! Chapters Intro: 00:00-00:58 Ferry Freight: 00:58-19:50 Oxford Trips: 19:50-45:14 Wilton Trips: 45:14-01:03:36 #6988 #iais #steamlocomotive

After a disappointing, steamless, 2020, Iowa Interstate's QJ 2-10-2 steam locomotive (6988) runs the rails again this year. The day is August 21, 2021, and the railroad/steam crew will run a total of 5 passenger excursions out of Oxford, Iowa. Each excursion will stop in Coralville, Iowa, where the diesel (IAIS 700, EMD GP38-2) will pull the train back to Oxford.