Steam & Excursion > Iowa Interstate Steam Returning in 2019

I hadn't seen anything on here yet, but just saw on Facebook a flyer for an IAIS steam special from Chillicothe to Henry on May 18th. Looks like 4 round trips are sheduled. $16 rides for adults.

I'm glad they are bringing the steam to Illinois this year!

I think the last time one of the QJs have been in Illinois was was during TrainFestival in 2011.

akpsteam Wrote:
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> I think the last time one of the QJs have been in
> Illinois was was during TrainFestival in 2011.

I believe the final steam excursion before the 5 year hiatus was the Tiskilwa trips in Sept. 2013.

Andy

This is a bit of a PR mess. One flyer on Facebook from no official group. Can't find any official mention or details anywhere. Nothing posted by Central States Steam Preservation. I don't even know what involvement they have at this point with the QJs. IAIS said they where done with steam, but they ran one last year. I think for as little press as they get, and turnout always seems fairly low, it costs more to run them than the firefighters end up making. So
I'm surprised they would send a QJ this far east. Last time I talked to Henry he said wouldn't he feasible.
But I will go down tomorrow and see what I can find out.

Posted from Android

FWIW ... IAIS does have a steam excursion tentatively
scheduled  for June 29 at Menlo, IA ...
https://csanders429.wordpress.com/2018/12/04/steam-excursions-iowa-interstate-to-run-steam-in-2019-up-might-continue-steam-program-beyond-next-year/

and I plan to try to be there!

Odyssey
Evergreen, CO

unseenthings Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This is a bit of a PR mess. One flyer on Facebook
> from no official group. Can't find any official
> mention or details anywhere. Nothing posted by
> Central States Steam Preservation. I don't even
> know what involvement they have at this point with
> the QJs. IAIS said they where done with steam, but
> they ran one last year. I think for as little
> press as they get, and turnout always seems fairly
> low, it costs more to run them than the
> firefighters end up making. So
> I'm surprised they would send a QJ this far east.
> Last time I talked to Henry he said wouldn't he
> feasible.
> But I will go down tomorrow and see what I can
> find out.
>
> Posted from Android

I'm told Saturday trips at Chillicothe are correct, and I was told that short out and back trips would be the plan before any flyers came out.  Sunday hasn't been finalized, but something is in the works.  They were talking about coming to Illinois last August.  My source is reliable, but it's not my place to jump the gun and blab before anything is announced publicly.

If you'll recall, ticket sales were so good last year that they added an additional trip each day.  In all 10 trips sold out over two days, if that is what passes for low turnout.

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/09/19 09:53 by MaryMcPherson.