IAISRailfans.org News From August 2008

News From August 2008

FIRST FIVE ES44ACs LEAVE ERIE, PA

Posted Saturday, August 16, 2008
The first five of Iowa Interstate's dozen new ES44ACs have left GE's locomotive factory in Erie, PA. IAIS 502, 503, 504, 508,and 510 left Erie via Norfolk Southern on the morning of Friday, 15-Aug-2008. They're on NS 145, and if I understand this train correctly, it's a manifest for Hannibal, MO. For those looking for the units, the train was called out of Bellevue, OH, on Saturday morning at 0145h. It looks like they'll go straight to KC on the NS.

IAIS 505 and another unit were spotted on the outbound NS tracks at Erie this morning (Saturday, 16-Aug-2008). They'll most likely be westbound this afternoon. K Bauer (CSX4838 on Trainorders.com) caught these two this morning, and I've added his shots (with permission) to the new [IAIS 505 roster page].

The units are in primer, and will move to Kansas City, MO, to be painted and prepped for service at Mid-America Car. (MAC is the same shop that overhauled and painted the 700s and 150s as well, and has done a good deal of other work for IAIS.) - NDH

IAIS ANNOUNCES QJ RUNS FOR FLOOD RELIEF

Posted Thursday, August 14, 2008
This morning, 14-Aug-2008, Iowa Interstate and RRDC issued a press release announcing that once again, Railroad Development Corporation's two Chinese 2-10-2 QJ-class steam engines will run on passenger excursions on IAIS. On October 18 and 19, a series of different runs will be made between Iowa City and Silvis, IL. All proceeds from the events will go to the Salvation Army, in support of their relief efforts for flood victims this year. A PDF copy of the official announcement can be found [here].

The two QJs will operate a freight eastward from Iowa City to Rock Island on the morning of Saturday, 18-Oct-2008. After arriving, one will run passenger trips east to Silvis, and the other will run west to Walcott. A dinner train will follow on Saturday night, though the press release states that this will be a private trip. On Sunday, the two will return west with a special Rock Island to Iowa City passenger train, and then be returned to storage in Newton, IA.

The City of Rock Island is acting as both host and coordinator for the events. Additional details and ticket information will be available from [their website] in late August. - NDH