This article was posted yesterday on the Trains e-Newswire.... Chinese steam locomotives begin testing in Iowa August 28, 2006 IOWA CITY, Iowa - The two Chinese class QJ 2-10-2 steam locomotives brought to the U.S. this summer have begun test runs in Iowa on the Iowa Interstate Railroad. On August 26, No. 7081 ran back and forth on several hundred feet of an industrial siding on the east side of Iowa City. The 7081 and sister locomotive 6988 are expected to pull a freight train on the IAIS, at an undetermined time, to ensure they are compliant with Federal Railroad Administration regulations for operation in the U.S. and are mechanically sound. The pair will pull a series of excursions out of the Quad Cities on September 14-17. The trips are being operated in conjunction with "RiverWay 2006," the celebration marking the 150th anniversary of the country's first railroad bridge across the Mississippi River, constructed by the Rock Island Railroad between Rock Island, Ill., and Davenport, Iowa. Sponsoring groups for the trains are The Friends of the 261, the Quad Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau, and City of Rock Island, in cooperation with the Iowa Interstate Railroad and the Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad. The locomotives were purchased by Railroad Development Corporation, owner of the Iowa Interstate and several other railroads around the world. RDC is offering the two locomotives for sale to tourist or regional railroads, and has an option to purchase three more 2-10-2s still in China.
Thanks to RFDTV on my satellite, I saw these brutes in action--doubleheaded over Jingpeng Pass... What a sight! And it's now possible to see them without a passport?! Cool!
There is a quick segment about these, in the promo portion of a 1990's Goodheart Video on Milw 261. The sound is quite impressive, just from my poor tv stereo speakers. In person, they ought to be an incredible thrill. Boxcab E50
This has the potential to become THE steam event of the midwest this year. Steve Sandberg has been pricing diesel rentals to pull his cars to the Quad Cities, as they will be used for the QJ train. He's thinking it will be more cost effective to use the 261 to deliver the cars. It will be out running excursions anyway. Maybe he'll couple up and have a triple header? :confused2:
Interesting! The QJ was the largest freight steamer that China produced, and the most numerous. It was introduced in 1956, and from 1957 to the late 1980's over 4500 were produced. It was based on the Russian Lv, the plans for which were given or sold to the Chinese government back in the day when they were on more friendly terms. According to the Encyclopedia of Trains and Locomotives, the QJ weighs 272,160 lbs. and has a boiler pressure of 214 psi, and a tractive effort of 63,340 lbs. It is also notorious for vibration and for what the authors refer to as "self-detatching fittings", requiring frequent maintenence.
I love the 261 - I have seen her many times and rode behind her as well. Nothing like the site of following her up the river back on the minnesota side to her home base in Minneapolis. On the highway runs most of the way along the tracks adn the river on the other side all close together. what sights & sounds of steam. sometimes going 60-65mph to keep up with her! another article here and photo on the chinese locos. http://www.bnsf.com/employees/communications/bnsf_today/2006/06/2006-06-12-e.html I guess I wonder, isn't there a lot of neat American locos that they could restore, run? nothing against Chinese, but that is part of their heritage. if I go to China, I'd be great to see their locos, but here we must have some old Shay, climax, and other steamers I'd rather see. I guess maybe cause they are newer and so maybe need less if no work to get them in service? and the rarity of them? but, Hmmm.
You may be correct, in guessing if the cost of buying these, won out over restoring something here in the USA. Although I, too, would love to see many more old North American lokeys restored. Some day..... :teeth: Boxcab E50
2-10-2 In Steam The following article is posted on the Trains e-Newswire....... Chinese steam engine runs in freight service Print | Email | Contact Us September 6, 2006 Chinese-built 2-10-2 No. 6988 leads Iowa Interstate train BICB west at Homestead, Iowa, on Sept. 6. (Chris Guss) IOWA City, Iowa - Chinese class QJ 2-10-2 No. 6988 led a freight train on the Iowa Interstate Railroad today. The locomotive, one of two purchased by the owners of Iowa Interstate, Railroad Development Corporation, lead train BICB (Blue Island, Ill. to Council Bluffs, Iowa) for approximately 20 miles from Iowa City to Homestead, Iowa. There, the engine uncoupled to let the freight train head west, then ran backwards light to Iowa City. The engine was identified as "Iowa Interstate 6988" on track warrants. The trip was made to break in the locomotive prior to four days of excursions that will operate out of Rock Island, Ill., September 14-17. RDC's other QJ, No. 7081, has not made a break-in trip yet.
Sweeeeeeet, I'll be in Davenport this weekend for a fly-in. Wonder if I can see these great locomotives.
Last time I saw QJ6988, it was ex-works at Daban depot in Feb 2005. Thought it'd go straight to scrap so it's good to see it working. It'll find life a bit easier in Iowas, compared to Jingpeng! If I can work out how to post photos, I'll post the ones I took of it. Anyone who's interested in the history of the QJ, with it's origins will find this site of interest http://home.c2i.net/schaefer/qjdetails/qjhistory.html
I will be there!!! I have tickets to ride the 261 on Sunday and still trying to impress on ms.train the importance of seeing the other engines running. BNSF7173 get some photos for us if I don't make it.:angel:
I hope you succeed! Tell her your attending is vital to the survival of our precious hobby! Boxcab E50
