Chip Sherman highlights the NRHS Spring Conference in Cedar Rapids, IA, the special train to Silvis Shop visit via Iowa Interstate Railroad and CP 2816

The Quad Cities area was humming with railfan developments in May 2024. Iowa Interstate Railroad’s Henry Posner III (Rail Development Corporation chairman) invited NRHS 2024 Spring Conference attendees to an Operation Lifesaver donation event.  The NRHS donated funds to Operation Lifesaver at Iowa Interstate's South Amana, Iowa shop. Folks then boarded a three-car IAIS diesel-powered train for a 90-mile run from South Amana to Silvis, Illinois.

Silvis Shops (formerly Rock Island) is now the home to Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA). They were the recipients of Union Pacific equipment donation in November 2022. The equipment included UP 3985 Challenger, UP 5511 2-10-2 Baldwin, UP 6936 Centennial, Southern Pacific business car STANFORD, and other passenger equipment. Thanks to Steve Sandberg, president of RRHMA, for allowing an update on activities at the Silvis Shop on May 6, 2024.

Rounding out the program is a brief look at CPKC Canadian Pacific 2816 4-6-4, named Empress, on the Final Spike Steam Tour along the Mississippi River at Le Claire, Iowa, and Kansas City, Missouri.