TRAIN FESTIVAL 2011
                     ROCK ISLAND, IL

Finally the day the three guys have waited for arrives.
We're up early, eat breakfast and head to downtown Rock Island.
A parking place waits just for us. We park, then head across the street to wait in line to board the train. Just us, and about one thousand other people.

Okay, we're on board, find our seats and collapse.
Brother-in-law Stanley did well, he was the reservations director.
We had comfortable captain chairs at a table in a dome car that was air conditioned, which was great because it was only around 100' outside.
The locomotive pulling us was a 2-10-2 wheel Chinese built steam locomotive, pictured above.
This is one of two Chinese built steamers purchased by the Iowa Interstate Railroad in 2006.

Located at either end of the car were rest rooms. This was so cool, especially for me, since it would be an all day ride.

Once under way we were served coffee, tea, or orange juice and pastries. Yum-Yum.
After leaving the rail yard the train crossed over a back channel of the Mississippi to Arsenal Island. I spoke of the museum there in a previous blog.

The U.S.Government built a fort on this island in 1816. During the Civil War, it served as a Confederate POW camp. Today, it's the largest government owned weapons manufacturing arsenal in the U.S.

Because of that, as we entered its territory, we were told to put away all cameras, including cell phones and video cameras.

They said we were being watched closely and if the guards saw the tiniest flicker of a possible camera, the train would be stopped, cameras confiscated, and the train backed to the station, and cancel the excursion. Yikes, just like in the movies.

Whew, everyone obeyed the rules and we went forward to cross the Mississippi River via, what else, the Government Bridge.

Now in Iowa, we traveled up the east coast to Iowa City.
Along the way we were served lunch, a choice of beef or chicken. I chose chicken and it was tasty for catered food.

It was a pleasant ride with a stop for a run-by. This is where all the rail fans get off the train with cameras in hand. The train backs up a mile or so, gets up a head of steam and runs-by for its picture to be taken. They actually did two run-bys.

The scenery was beautiful, and before we knew it we arrived in Iowa City. The engine went to the reverse end of the cars and we were on our way back via the same route.

When we pulled into the station we saw two small engines made by the Vulcan Iron Works in Wilkes Barre, PA.
One, the #75, was owned by the Flagg Coal Co. of Avoca, PA and the other, the #126, was owned by the Leigh Valley Coal Co. of Hazelton, PA. The #126, was eventually sold to the Heidelberg Coal Co. of Avoca, PA.

Those of you from Northeast PA have probably heard of these coal companies one time or another.
Avoca, PA is the next town over from where I was born and raised. I was familiar with those coal breakers. Our town of Hughestown was also a coal town. Pagnotti's No. 9 colliery was located there. In fact my dad worked for that coal company and worked on engines like the #75 and #126. They were called "loceys" and were the work horse around the coal yard.

Both the #75 and the #126 were purchased and restored by father and son John and Barney Grambling. They moved them to their shop in Ashley, IN.

After the train ride we were ready for supper. Yep, hungry again.
We ate in a small cafe' across from the station.
Their sandwiches were large, with fresh fixings, on delicious breads.

After eating we were tired and headed back to the hotel. It was a tiring day, sitting and watching the world go by, literally, does that.

We had to pack and get ready for our next destination the following day.

Our next stop was the American Pickers, you know Antique Archeology, Mike, Frank and Danielle, from the History Channel.

If you watch that show you'll want to come back and read my next blog.