With 12 incredible days of steam action and some of the hottest days in the US Midwest since the 1930’s, we could not think of a better name for our 3 Volume Steamin’ Summer video project.

QJs to Rock Island - Iowa Interstate Railroad’s two Chinese QJs traveled to the festival as a double-header, the first day with a passenger consist from Newton to Iowa City. The next day they brought a record-setting 55 car freight train to Rock Island. We get the first look at QJ 6988 after mostly cosmetic changes and a new whistle made it appear and sound more like a North American steam locomotive.

NKP 765 to Rock Island - we cover a portion of Nickel Plate 765‘s journey across Indiana on the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway. The scorching heat actually caused the entire railroad to shut down for part of the day.

Silver Creek & Stephenson - the Freeport, Illinois operating railroad museum conveniently scheduled a Photographer’s Special between the events at Little River Railroad and the Rock Island Train Festival. Great steam action provided by a 1912 Heisler, plus a Brookville “critter” and antique cars and trucks.

Multiple HD cameras

Minimal narration - less talk, more steam action!