First train of the trip is this load in the Walcott siding on 22 Dec 2010. Never seen these CN cars on IAIS before.
By: Nathan D. Holmes

The switchers around the QC just keep getting bigger. It would appear that 154 and 155 are regularly pressed into local runs.
By: Nathan D. Holmes

Meanwhile, while 154 drags cars over from Davenport, 709 switches cars in the Rock Island yard.
By: Nathan D. Holmes

Finally, a real day of railfanning on Monday, 27 Dec 2010. After some wait, 509 leaves the Silvis yard as the single leader on BICB-26.
By: Nathan D. Holmes

Coming down the BNSF Industrial Track between Silvis and Rock Island.
By: Nathan D. Holmes

Coming around the corner in downtown Moline
By: Nathan D. Holmes

Almost street running in Davenport amid light flurries
By: Nathan D. Holmes

Finally, something other than a tele-smash that gets the effect of the snow and scenery.
By: Nathan D. Holmes

A break in the fog at Walcott reveals the depth of the frozen frost on everything.
By: Nathan D. Holmes

And after some delay, here comes 509 and CBBI-26
By: Nathan D. Holmes

At Durant, they stop to try to switch out a pair of cars for Norfolk Iron, but the switch is frozen and can't be opened.
By: Nathan D. Holmes

Ah, the joys of winter railroading... That pesky switch won't budget, though. Gave us time to run to Caseys for lunch, however.
By: Nathan D. Holmes

CBBI - led by 506, 503, and 505 - sits and awaits the arrival of 509 west at North Star
By: Nathan D. Holmes

The meet - just as soon as they get that switch open.
By: Nathan D. Holmes

Working on that stubborn frozen switch.
By: Nathan D. Holmes

509 leaving the west end of North Star as seen from Moscow
By: Nathan D. Holmes

A wider view in the sunlight at Moscow
By: Nathan D. Holmes

Rounding the corner just east of Atalissa
By: Nathan D. Holmes

A wider view at the same spot
By: Nathan D. Holmes

Last light at Downey. I wouldn't have ever caught them, but the crew put the train in emergency at West Liberty because a city backhoe clearing snow was fouling the track. It took the crew an hour to pump the air back up and walk the train.
By: Nathan D. Holmes

Tuesday morning found this very short train (154, 718, 511, and a bit over a dozen ethanol tanks) in the hole at Walcott.
By: Nathan D. Holmes

Thanks to a couple other fans (and just instinct), we knew that the regular west train was approaching for a meet.
By: Nathan D. Holmes

Once 507 west was past, 154 headed on east into Rock Island
By: Danny Holmes

On the way into town, we spotted the Clinton job coming across the Crescent Bridge, so we pulled in for this shot along the Davenport waterfront.
By: Nathan D. Holmes

Thanks to a tip from Erik on the list, I knew 513 would be leading BICB-27 on Tuesday, and that it was just out of Silvis. So, after the BNSF, we headed for Silvis.
By: Nathan D. Holmes

They spent quite a bit of time at Silvis, moving large cuts of cars around and air testing them. Here they are just down the line from the previous shot, pulling a long cut out of the yard.
By: Nathan D. Holmes

On the back was Patriot Renewal Fuels 250, which is the former IAIS 250. Nobody knew for sure where it was headed or why. (Answer: Iowa City for maintenance)
By: Nathan D. Holmes

While waiting on 513 to finish up, my dad and I went to lunch and then found EMDX 760 out working the BNSF local. Here he his headed for the industrial track at East Moline.
By: Nathan D. Holmes

As he's approaching, my dad pointed out headlights on the third line that converges at East Moline - the IC&E/CP Nitrin Branch. It's a little weedy because it was literally a "turn and shoot" shot.
By: Nathan D. Holmes

114 pulling up about as far as he can go without permission on the industrial track. The DS is holding the track open for 513 for now.
By: Nathan D. Holmes