We all arose and I found out that the Chicago area was going to get two to three inches of rain an hour. As it was pouring here in Rock Island with lightning and thunder, I decided a new plan was in order for today. First we would have to get Bob Riskie to the Illinois Zephyr so Nathan and I left with Bob at 7:45 AM and once on the road, decided that Princeton would be the safe choice. Bob checked on his train, which was running on time, so we drove east down Interstate 80 arriving at Princeton in plenty of time to stop at McDonald's for breakfast. After that we drove to the Amtrak station.
Bob saying goodbye to Nathan.
The Princeton Amtrak station built in 1911.
Bob waving goodbye to us.
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy caboose 13569 built by International Car in 1964 is on display east of the station.
Nathan and I filled the rental van with petrol before returning to Motel 6 in Moline. Nathan wanted a nap so Gene, Bob, Elizabeth and I went to Moline to take pictures of the Nebraska Zephyr excursion to Bureau this morning.
The Davenport, Rock Island and Northwestern station at 2021 River Drive. Built in 1900 by Olaf Cervin, it was in active use until 1934 when converted to offices for Frank Foundry Company. The City of Moline purchased the building in 1994 and designated it a local landmark, renovating it as a visitor's centre. That closed in May 2008 and as of July 2011, it was vacant. It was later demolished in July 2016 due to the construction of an entrance ramp to the new Interstate 74 bridge over the Mississippi River.
The Moline station sign.
It was trying to rain on us but Bob used our umbrellas to keep us dry. A few minutes later we started hearing the horn and air horn of Chicago, Burlington and Quincy E5A 9911A coming our way with the Nebraska Zephyr trainset.
The Nebraska Zephyr trainset ran though Moline on its way to Bureau Junction. From here we drove to the former Iowa Chicago & Eastern yard west of Davenport.
Iowa Chicago & Eastern GP9 103, ex. I&M Rail Link 103 1997, nee SOO 403 built by Electro-Motive Division in 1954.
Dakota Minnesota & Eastern GP40 4005 "Larry Pressler, ex. Union Pacific 631, exx. Missouri Pacific 631, nee Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific 4700 built by Electro-Motive Division in 1970.
Iowa, Chicago and Eastern GP9 103 and Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern GP40 4005.
Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern SD40-3 6050, ex. Helm Leasing 6050, nee Union Pacific SD40 3017 built by Electro-Motive Division in 1966.
Iowa, Chicago and Eastern GP40-2 4207 "City of South Beloit", ex. Finova Capital Corp 5003, exx. NREX 7246, nee Southern Pacific 7246 built by Electro-Motive Division in 1984.
Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern SD40-2 6364, ex. SOO 6364, nee Milwaukee Road 203 built by Electro-Motive Division in 1974.
Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern GP38 3833 "City of Aurora", ex. Kansas City Southern GP40 795, exx. Illinois Central Gulf 3059, nee Illinois Central 3059 built by Electro-Motive Division in 1967.
Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern GP40 4002 "Spirit of 86", ex. Union Pacific 653, nee Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific 4712 built by Electro-Motive Division in 1970.
Views around the roundhouse.
Iowa, Chicago and Eastern SD40-2 6408 "City of Chillicothe", nee Union Pacific 3503 built by Electro-Motive Division in 1979. From here we headed over to Davenport to catch Nickel Plate Road 765 running down the street.
Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 765 pulled the 11:00 AM train to Walcott this morning and put on a great show during the street running in Davenport. We then returned to Motel 6 to pick up Nathan before returned to Rock Island and parked in our usual parking structure.
A building in Rock Island has this mural, after which we all returned to the Train Festival grounds.
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy SW7 9255 from the Illinois Railway Museum.
Iowa Interstate Rock Island ES44AC 513.
Iowa Interstate 2-10-2 7081. From here Nathan and I went to see the model railroads.
The train was switching the cars around. Nathan and I walked over to the exit and waited for Gene, Bob and Elizabeth and once reunited, went back to the van and drove out to the grade crossing at Central Park Avenue in Davenport.
The 2:00 PM train with Iowa Interstate QJ 2-10-2 7081 heading to Walcott made its way across Central Park Avenue. We then drove to the old Dry Line Yard in Bettendorf.
BNSF SW1200 3535, ex. Burlington Northern 193, nee Northern Pacific 134 built by Electro-Motive Division in 1956.
We then returned to Motel 6 and I started my story writing before the five of us went to Montana Jack's for dinner, then I resumed writing. Nathan took Gene to the Quad City Airport for his flight home, I finished the story and tomorrow we head back to La Plata.
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