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Draft:Iowa Interstate Railroad 6988

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Iowa Interstate Railroad 6988
No. 6988 hauling an excursion train through West Des Moines, Iowa, June 28, 2019
Type and origin
Power typeSteam
BuilderDatong Locomotive Works
ModelQJ
Build date1985
Specifications
Configuration:
​
 • Whyte2-10-2
 • UIC1′E1′
Gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Leading dia.920 mm (36.22 in)
Driver dia.1,500 mm (59.06 in)
Trailing dia.1,120 mm (44.09 in)
Tender wheels1,000 mm (39.37 in)
Minimum curve145 m (5,700 in; 476 ft)
Wheelbase6,400 mm (250 in; 21.0 ft)
Length16,140 mm (635 in; 52.95 ft)
Width3,375 mm (132.9 in; 11.073 ft)
Height4,790 mm (189 in; 15.72 ft)
Loco weight133.8 t (131.7 long tons; 147.5 short tons)
Tender weight119.7 t (117.8 long tons; 131.9 short tons)
Fuel typeCoal
Fuel capacity21.5 t (21.2 long tons; 23.7 short tons)
Water cap.50 L (11 imp gal; 13 US gal)
Firebox:​
 • Grate area6.80 m2 (73.2 sq ft)
Boiler pressure1,471 kPa (213.4 psi)
CylindersTwo, outside
Cylinder size650 mm × 800 mm (25.59 in × 31.50 in)
Valve gearWalschaerts
Valve typePiston valves
Loco brakeAir
Train brakesAir
CouplersKnuckle
Performance figures
Maximum speed80 km/h (50 mph)
Power output2,222 kW (2,980 hp),
2,670 kW (3,580 hp) (measured at 66 km/h or 41 mph)
Tractive effort33,290 kgf (73,400 lbf; 326.5 kN)
28,734 kgf (63,350 lbf; 281.78 kN) (85% pressure)
Career
Operators
ClassQJ
NumbersIAIS 6988
NicknamesIowan Bolt
First run1985
RetiredOctober 2005
Restored2006
Current ownerCentral States Steam Preservation Association
DispositionStored, awaiting 1,472-day inspection and overhaul
References:[1][2]

Iowa Interstate Railroad 6988 is a China Railways QJ class 2-10-2 type steam locomotive, built in 1985 by the Datong Locomotive Works. It was extensively used to haul mainline freight trains, until Chinese mainline services ended in 2005. The following year, in 2006, No. 6988, along with fellow QJ No. 7081, were purchased by the Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS) and shipped to the United States for excursion service. As of 2026, No. 6988 is owned by the Central States Steam Preservation Association.

Design and abilities

[edit]

History

[edit]

Revenue service in China

[edit]

No. 6988 was built in 1985 by the Datong Locomotive Works for the Jining–Tongliao railway, where it was extensively used to haul freight trains and passenger trains throughout China, until Chinese mainline service ended in 2005.[3][4]

Excursion service in the United States

[edit]

In 2006, it was purchased along with fellow QJ No. 7081 by Henry Posner III of the Railroad Development Corporation, for use in excursion service on the Iowa Interstate Railroad (IAIS). Since then, it has run fundraising excursion trains for various fire departments as well as other emergency response and cultural organizations along the IAIS.[5][6][7][8][3][9]

In 2011, No. 6988 was cosmetically altered with an "Americanized" appearance, in time for that year's Train Festival in Rock Island, Illinois.[3] The diesel-style bell originally installed when it arrived in Iowa was replaced with a steam engine type bell, the Chinese headlights were replaced with an American style light with a cast number plate beneath it, and an American steam whistle was installed.

In 2016, both No. 6988 and No. 7081 were donated to the newly formed non-profit organization, the Central States Steam Preservation Association.[10][11]

In August 2018, No. 6988 ran a two-day excursion train through the 18th and 19th were it ran a 45-mile round trip out of Mitchellville and Brooklyn, Iowa.[3]

In April 2021, it was announced that No. 6988 was originally scheduled to be removed from service in September to undergo its FRA-mandated 1,472-day inspection and overhaul, however, the IAIS had requested for the FRA inspection to be moved back to December 20, due to COVID-19 restrictions, it was later rescheduled again to December 20, 2022.[7][12][9]

In June 2022, No. 6988 made its final runs for IAIS and was placed in stored at the Railroading Heritage of Midwest America, were it is currently awaiting its FRA-mandated 1,472-day inspection.[13][14]

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Gibbons (2017), pp. 15, 23
  2. ↑ Gibbons (2017), p. 287
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Iowa Interstate QJ steam locomotive No. 6988 will run in August". Trains Magazine. July 3, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  4. ↑ Kevin Gilliam (September 23, 2022). "Trains Presents — Iowa Interstate 6988". Trains Magazine. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  5. ↑ Railroad Development Corporation acquires coaches Trains October 24, 2006
  6. ↑ "Volunteer group founded to operate renown steam locomotives". CSSPA. Archived from the original on 2016-04-01. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
  7. 1 2 "Iowa Interstate Asks FRA for More Time to Run Steam Locomotive". Railfan & Railroad Magazine. April 21, 2021. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  8. ↑ Sam Hewitt (September 2, 2019). "Chinese-Built Steam Back On USA Main Line". The Railway Magazine. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  9. 1 2 Jim Wrinn (October 22, 2021). "Chinese-built 2-10-2 makes last runs in Iowa before entering storage". Trains Magazine. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Volunteer group founded to operate renown steam locomotives". CSSPA. Archived from the original on 2016-04-01. Retrieved 2016-03-20.
  11. ↑ "Chinese-Built Steam Back On USA Main Line". The Railway Magazine. September 2, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Iowa Interstate Railroad" (PDF). February 25, 2021. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Iowa Interstate 2-10-2 to Run This Weekend". Railfan & Railroad Magazine. June 10, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2026.
  14. ↑ "QJ makes last trips before rebuilding". Trains Magazine. June 13, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2026.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Gibbons, Robin (2017). Locomotives of China - The QJ Class. Tynedale Publishing. ISBN 978-0993419225.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Gallegos, Bob (December 2006). "Chinese Steam Comes to Iowa". Railfan & Railroad. Vol. 25, no. 12. Carstens Publications. pp. 56–59.
  • Grant, H. Roger (2015). Railroaders Without Borders: A History of the Railroad Development Corporation. p. 88.
  • Olsen, Ron (February 2007). "Coming to America". Trains. Vol. 66, no. 7. Kalmbach Publishing. pp. 42–51. Retrieved March 1, 2026.

Category:2-10-2 locomotives Category:1′E1′ locomotives Category:Steam locomotives of China Category:Railway locomotives introduced in 1985 Category:CRRC Datong locomotives Category:Freight locomotives Category:Standard-gauge locomotives of China Category:Steam locomotives of the United States Category:Standard-gauge locomotives of the United States

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