![Railroad workers near a steam locomotive in low angle sunlight.](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TRN_QJ_August_2021_DSC_5317.jpg)
It's just after dawn on Aug. 20, 2021, and the crew of 2-10-2 No. 6988 is busy getting the Chinese-built steam locomotive ready for its deadhead move from Newton, Iowa, to South Amanda, Iowa.
Photograph by Jim Wrinn
Photograph by Jim Wrinn
![Railroad workers near a steam locomotive in low angle sunlight.](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TRN_QJ_August_2021_DSC_5317-100x80.jpg)
![Steam locomotive hauling a freight train under clear, sunlit skies.](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TRN_QJ_August_2021_DSC_5796.jpg)
No. 6988 arrives at South Amana, Iowa, on Aug. 20. This was its destination for the day. Ahead is switching to passenger cars and a weekend of excursions delighting passengers and benefitting local emergency agencies.
Photograph by Jim Wrinn
Photograph by Jim Wrinn
![Steam locomotive hauling a freight train under clear, sunlit skies.](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TRN_QJ_August_2021_DSC_5796-100x80.jpg)
![Steam locomotive hauling freight train over steel truss bridge.](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TRN_QJ_August_2021_DSC_5779.jpg)
No. 6988 crosses the Big Bear Creek near Marengo, Iowa, on Aug. 20, 2021.
Photograph by Jim Wrinn
Photograph by Jim Wrinn
![Steam locomotive hauling freight train over steel truss bridge.](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TRN_QJ_August_2021_DSC_5779-100x80.jpg)
![Steam locomotive hauling freight train under clear skies.](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TRN_QJ_August_2021_DSC_5770.jpg)
No. 6988 roars by at 40 mph on the Iowa Interstate main line near Victor, Iowa, on Aug. 20, 2021.
Photograph by Jim Wrinn
Photograph by Jim Wrinn
![Steam locomotive hauling freight train under clear skies.](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TRN_QJ_August_2021_DSC_5770-100x80.jpg)
![Steam locomotive nosing past old brick passenger station.](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TRN_QJ_August_2021_DSC_5741.jpg)
No. 6988 passes the Grinnel, Iowa, depot on Aug. 20, 2021. The depot was a union depot for the Rock Island and the Minneapolis & St. Louis. It was a restaurant that is now closed.
Photograph by Jim Wrinn
Photograph by Jim Wrinn
![Steam locomotive nosing past old brick passenger station.](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TRN_QJ_August_2021_DSC_5741-100x80.jpg)
![Steam locomotive hauling long freight train.](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TRN_QJ_August_2021_DSC_5716.jpg)
After dipping into the yard for a train of tank cars (and a trailing diesel for the weekend's passenger excursions) No. 6988 steams out of the Newton, Iowa, yard on Aug. 20, 2021.
Photograph by Jim Wrinn
Photograph by Jim Wrinn
![Steam locomotive hauling long freight train.](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TRN_QJ_August_2021_DSC_5716-100x80.jpg)
![Steam locomotive shrouded by steam.](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TRN_QJ_August_2021_DSC_5650.jpg)
After dipping into the yard for a train of tank cars (and a trailing diesel for the weekend's passenger excursions) No. 6988 steams out of the Newton, Iowa, yard on Aug. 20, 2021.
Photograph by Jim Wrinn
Photograph by Jim Wrinn
![Steam locomotive shrouded by steam.](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TRN_QJ_August_2021_DSC_5650-100x80.jpg)
![Close-up view of a steam locomotive in a yard.](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TRN_QJ_August_2021_DSC_5605.jpg)
With cylinder cocks wide open No. 6988, the Iowa Bolt, leaves the shop at Newton, Iowa, on Aug. 20, 2021 with its auxiliary water tank car and tool car in tow.
Photograph by Jim Wrinn
Photograph by Jim Wrinn
![Close-up view of a steam locomotive in a yard.](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TRN_QJ_August_2021_DSC_5605-100x80.jpg)
![Close-up view of a steam locomotive in a yard.](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TRN_QJ_August_2021_DSC_5599.jpg)
With cylinder cocks wide open No. 6988, the Iowa Bolt, leaves the shop at Newton, Iowa, on Aug. 20, 2021 with its auxiliary water tank car and tool car in tow.
Photograph by Jim Wrinn
Photograph by Jim Wrinn
![Close-up view of a steam locomotive in a yard.](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TRN_QJ_August_2021_DSC_5599-100x80.jpg)
![Close-up view of a steam locomotive tender reflecting low angle sunlight as a railroader climbs into a steam locomotive cab.](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TRN_QJ_August_2021_DSC_5337.jpg)
It's just after dawn on Aug. 20, 2021, and the crew of 2-10-2 No. 6988 is busy getting the Chinese-built steam locomotive ready for its deadhead move from Newton, Iowa, to South Amanda, Iowa.
Photograph by Jim Wrinn
Photograph by Jim Wrinn
![Close-up view of a steam locomotive tender reflecting low angle sunlight as a railroader climbs into a steam locomotive cab.](https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/TRN_QJ_August_2021_DSC_5337-100x80.jpg)
Look over Jim Wrinn’s shoulder as with photographs taken on August 2021 excursion with Iowa Interstate Railroad’s QJ 2-10-2 steam locomotive in Iowa.
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Am I wrong to wonder why tourist railroads don’t each year put aside money for things like this, including doing ongoing fundraisers? Or is there just not enough money to budget for this over the 15 years? I just don’t know, but this feels like a waste.
Nice pictures but there is no South Amanda, IA. It should read South Amana, IA.