Western Railroad Discussion > Iowa question concerning Route 30

Let me say I will post this on the western forum since I'm thinking this is where my question should be directed to. In about two weeks, my wife and I will be making out annual road trip from NJ out to Lanesboro, MN. For the return route, we decided that part of our return route will take us over a stretch of Route 30 east from Cedar Rapids to DeWitt before getting back on I-80 to head home. Looking at a Iowa DOT road map, I see that the UP line runs parallel to 30. My question is what type of volume can I expect to see along that stretch of track between those two towns. Any comments regarding photo locations would also be appreciated. Thanks in advance for any information from this vacationing easterner...

You'll see a few if you just drive straight through with no stops. There are about 50-60 trains a day if you take your time. The tracks skirt out of view at a few places along the way but generally are within view of US 30 this time of year when the corn isn't fully grown. The westbound shot off the US 30 overpass at Wheatland is the gem in this stretch of track. The area around Lisbon and Mt Vernon is nice for just sitting on a gravel road and enjoying the countryside and trains.

-Justin

Pattenburg Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> . . . In about two weeks, my wife
> and I will be making out annual road trip from NJ
> out to Lanesboro, MN. For the return route, we
> decided that part of our return route will take us
> over a stretch of Route 30 east from Cedar Rapids
> to DeWitt before getting back on I-80 to head
> home. . .

Unless you have specific reasons to go through the Quad Cities, I would suggest continuing eastward on US 30 through Clinton and on into Illinois until you get to I-88 near Sterling. I've done this many times and you continue to follow the C&NW/UP at close range. You can return to I-80 once you get to the Chicago Area using I-355.

illini73 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Pattenburg Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > . . . In about two weeks, my wife
> > and I will be making out annual road trip from
> NJ
> > out to Lanesboro, MN. For the return route, we
> > decided that part of our return route will take
> us
> > over a stretch of Route 30 east from Cedar
> Rapids
> > to DeWitt before getting back on I-80 to head
> > home. . .
>
> Unless you have specific reasons to go through the
> Quad Cities, I would suggest continuing eastward
> on US 30 through Clinton and on into Illinois
> until you get to I-88 near Sterling. I've done
> this many times and you continue to follow the
> C&NW/UP at close range. You can return to I-80
> once you get to the Chicago Area using I-355.

US30 is close to the tracks from just west of Mechanicsville
east to roughly Grand Mound. After that, you get further
away from the tracks. Traffic, rail traffic that is,
can vary widely, although westbounds may be a little
tough as Metra doesn't like their commuter trains
interfered with, and coal is down. As Justin said, westbound
at the US30 overpass on the east edge of Wheatland is nice,
but there's a little walk, and traffic on US30 zooms by.
Another nice spot is between Clarence and Lowden, about
MP42, which is the start of Clarence Hill, a long westward
climb. There's a nice little curve there.

As for following US30 to the Sterling area, well, that would
depend on how much time you have. From DeWitt, which is where
you would leave 30 to get to I80, the tracks are well away from
the road and not always visible. And once into Illinois, that
situation gets worse, and US30 west of Sterling can be difficult.
If you have the time and money, okay. If you're in a hurry,
take US61 from DeWitt to I80 and blast east. That will save
you a lot of time and toll money.

Nick Tharalson,
Marion, IA



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/26/13 07:55 by ntharalson.

Thanks one and all for this information. It was very informative and much appreciated.

Don't forget to mind the speed limits. When I drove on US 30 in the western part of Iowa last year, it seemed the speed limits changed every 10 miles or so, then 2-3 times in a mile or two.

Have a great trip.

I don't know about the eastern part of Iowa, but in the western part there were a number of ethanol plants with their own switchers along the line.

and remember to stop for some Iowa food - pork (fried tenderloins or "fritters" are my favorites