IAISRailfans.org News From June 2007

News From June 2007

IAIS RECEIVES NEW SLUG

Posted Tuesday, June 19, 2007
IAIS received its newest addition to the motive power fleet last week when the Iowa, Chicago & Eastern delivered slug 650 to the Davenport interchange. Slugs are units with no diesel engine or generator of their own, only traction motors and a lot of weight. They're paired with another unit for power. This allows the powered unit to better utilize its full output at low speed by spreading the electrical energy over more axles.

IAIS 650 was created from the hulk of IAIS GP8 #466 by Relco in Albia, IA. It's mated with IAIS GP38 #601 as a power unit, and is expected to be used in Council Bluffs yard switching service, according to the Iowa Interstate email list. Thanks to Andy Brown and Erik Rasmussen, IAIS 650's [roster page] already has a number of good photos for those interested in checking out this latest addition. - NDH

QJs ON THE MOVE

Posted Saturday, June 9, 2007
For those of you on the west end, the two Chinese QJ-class 2-10-2s are moving your way under power. They were steamed up yesterday, and after leaving Newton in the late afternoon, made it as far as Booneville. As of 0745h Saturday morning, they were still in Booneville. While no one has provided official details or a purpose for this move, railfan speculation is that they'll run west to the Bluffs today and then back to Newton tomorrow. - NDH