Mar 29 Sun
     
         Today, we plan to go down to Clinton, Iowa!!! I am very happy to have chance to go back Iowa again! But this morning, I saw a CNW painted Fairbanks Morse engine which displays in Milton, WI on a magazine, so ask Paul bring me to see it before our trip to Clinton.
         The CNW #10 Fairbanks Morse engine, originally from Minneapolis Northfield & souhtern; later was used by a short line, Central Wisconsin, and never owned by C&NW!!! It is very funny, but we appreciate they repaint it as traditional C&NW green and yellow color. And, you still can see "The route of Streamliner 400" on its body!!!
         Later, we went on the "Free" way to Illinois. Yes! Illinois is so-called" HAPPY STATE"! We need to pay a lot of $ for the toll way. Finally, we arrive Rocelle IL. From Rocelle to Clinton, we follow the CNW east-west mainline , and want to find if we can get any CNW engines.
         The first spot we visited is Rochelle. Here is the location BNSF line and CNW line cross each other. When we arrived the diamond, I saw 6 cars RR fan stay there to wait for train. I think, because it is sunny, so Railfan went out for train watching!!! We didn't see any train pass the diamond, but catch one UP train in Rochelle ex-CNW depot.
         About 13:40, we arrived Nelson. This is the place CNW mainline has a branch down to Madison, IL(not Madison, WI) and have track right to St Louise. We saw a UP train again, still no CNW loco!!!

      
     

       
         Before we arrived Clinton, we stop by a great place where BN line cross the top of CNW line. This place is near the Mississippi River, and after that, we will enter IOWA!!!
         Yes! After we cross Mississippi river, the familiar slogan appeared: IOWA MAKE YOU SMILE!!! Yeah! I came back IOWA. When we just cross the river, the west bound train we have met just cross the river. We didn't well prepare for it, but still get a good shot. Later, we visited the CNW clinton yard. Sadly, only see a #4622 CNW painted loco. Then, we went back to CNW Clinton depot. It is very beautiful, but the platform already removed. When we just arrived there, another east bound train ran by. IT IS A CNW C44-9W 8665 engine!!! I am very happy, but didn't well prepare for its coming. However, the photo turn out so good. I am so surprised!

     

        The Mississippi river bridge must be the most important spot in Clinton area. This historical bridge was made in 1909. And it can turn around like a clock to let ship pass it! We sat down beside the river to get a east bound train, then moved to the bridge to get another shot. We wait, wait and wait --- No trains come. We are very sad. And as you know: The Railfan Rule is: Everytime when you give up, the train will just come after you leave! Do you believe this? In Taiwan, Japan, and America are all the same. Everytime I give up, the train will come. This time, Paul and I make a time to leave. We said after 17:00 if the train didn't come, we will leave. And we just say the railfan joke: Maybe we will see the train when we drive back and on Mississippi river bridge. Ha! Ha! The railfan rule have been proved again. We heard a train horn sound just before 17:00, and the train crossed the bridge about 17:05. We didn't leave, and we saw the train!!! So, my opinion for you is: Wait 5 more min when you decide to leave, and maybe you will get a bonus train!
     
     

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