6988's nickname was a result of the new livery it received in 2018 which was inspired by the livery worn by Iowa Interstate's diesel locomotives. 6988's last ran in June 2022 when it was moved to Silvis, IL for an overhaul.

IAIS 6988 and 7081 were brought to the US by Railroad Development Corp. to test the market for modern imported steam in the United States. See the QJ page for more information. During the summer of 2011, both engines were modified to connect with tank car …

Originally a Class QJ steam locomotive, IAIS #6988 was built by the Datong Locomotive Works in 1985 for the Ji Tong Railway of China. With a wheel arrangement of 2-10-2, also known as a “Santa Fe”-type, this narrow-gauge steam locomotive was to be used in hauling passenger trains for the Ji Tong Railway.

Enjoy footage from the cab of the only operating QJ class steam locomotive in the United States. 6988 ran six sold out trips from Oxford on July 4th.

IAIS 6988 : Description: IAIS 6988 pulls River Way 2006 through Stockton on the trip to Iowa City and Yocum. Photo Date: 9/15/2006 Upload Date: 10/23/2006 11:58:26 PM : Location: Stockton, IA : Author: Bill Pearsall: Categories: Locomotives: IAIS 6988(2-10-2) Views: 565 Comments: 0

衣阿华州际铁路6988号及7081号机车（iais 6988 & iais 7081） 这两台前进型蒸汽机车于2006年6月13日运抵美国，交付至铁路发展公司下属的IAIS铁路。 这两台机车在美国服役初期仍带着中国铁道部路徽，其后被换上IAIS铁路的标志。

Iowa Interstate is a freight rail carrier operating in the Midwestern United States between Council Bluffs, Iowa and Chicago, Illinois over former Rock Islan...

June 11th and 12th of 2022 saw the last movements of the Iowa Interstate’s Chinese built QJ steam locomotive #6988 before the federally mandated 15-year boil...

2006年9月26日 · IAIS Chinese QJ 2-10-2s 6988 and 7081 In June 2006, Railroad Development Corp., parent company of the Iowa Interstate RR, imported a pair of Chinese 1980s-built 2-10-2 Class QJ steam engines, for potential sale in the United States.

2019年6月29日 · IAIS 6988 Menlo, IA 6-29-2019 The train had the 6988 Steam Locomotive on the West end and the diesel locomotive 707 on the East end. Photos: 1. Unloading after Run #1 in Menlo, IA