Fort Madison, Iowa~7/10/2011

Took a trip down to Fort Madison, Iowa to visit a friend and to do some train watching. On the way down to Fort Madison I noticed that there where several trains waiting to cross the Mississippi River from Gulfport, Illinois to Burlington, Iowa. Just south of Burlington I noticed a train sitting just east of the road that appeared to be stopped. I then did a u-turn and caught a northbound grain train lead by BNSF 2903 (GP39E) in BN green. This same train was still sitting there on my way home. First time 1300ish hrs second time 2100 hrs.

When I finally made it to Fort Madison my first stop was the Amtrak station. The first train that passed the Amtrak station was a Norfolk Southern lead mixed freight lead by NS 9301 (dash 9).

I then went to the north side of the Amtrak station to take a picture of a BNSF stacker that spent much of the day behind the Amtrak station. It was lead by BNSF 7588 (ES44DC)

Next up was a BNSF manifest lead by BNSF 5948 (ES44AC)

Following that was a BNSF westbound stacker lead by UP 8589 (SD70ACE)

Following that was a BNSF manifest lead by BNSF 8863 (SD70MAC).

Following that was an eastbound stacker lead by BNSF 7244 (ES44AC)

Next up was a BNSF eastbound with an ex. Santa Fe unit up front (BNSF 781 C44-9W)

The last train to pass the Amtrak station before heading to the train bridge that crosses the was a westbound stacker/intermodal lead by BNSF 7252 (EC44DC).

We then moved over to the bridge. The first train to pass was a short westbound lead by BNSF 4511 (C44-9W)

Next up was an eastbound 1x1 stacker lead by BNSF 6717 (ES44AC)

 Following that was an eastbound manifest lead by BNSF 5282 (C44-9W)

 After that I decided to try an across the parking lot shot, with ok results. This train was a stacker lead by BNSF 7588 (ES44DC). This was the train parked behind the Amtrak station when I arrived in Fort Madison.

 We then went back to the Amtrak station to wait for Amtrak to arrive. Before he did a westbound stacker/intermodal lead by BNSF 7207 (ES44DC) showed up for a recrew.

 Following that another westbound BNSF stacker/intermodal showed up lead by BNSF 4957 (C44-9W). This train also stopped for a crew change. The train in the background is the westbound from the picture before. Needless to say there weren't any eastbounds for awhile.

 Finally Amtrak showed up lead by number 10. This train was rather unique for me because many of the people in the last car were Amish.

 The last train of the day for me in Fort Madison was this westbound covered coal gondola train lead by BNSF 4910 (C44-9W). The cars were full of wet distillers corn according to my friend Paul who was with me.

 On my way home I stopped in the Burlington, Iowa BNSF yard and caught this coal train headed west under the power of BNSF 5977 (ES44AC)

That was the last train of the day for me. From this point I continued on my journey home.
That is all, Matt.