Riggins with little brother Charlie and little sister Sadie.

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Thursday, August 12, 2010

Thursday Thoughts

Thursday was a sunny morning so after coffee, I decided on a side trip to take some train pictures in Dallas City IL. which is about six miles east of the Fort Madison bridge to Niota IL.

Dallas City is a very small river town on the Mississippi, it has it’s requisite grain elevator, and a couple of shops and not much else. The folks were nice enough to leave their wi-fi unlocked as I had a choice of about 5 signals to choose from. So as I waited between trains I caught up on reading blogs that I have missed in the last couple of days.

This town must be like the little town of Sandwich where Dennis & Donna live. It has three railroad crossings but they are so close together that the trains whistle continuously from one end of town to the other. A lot of horn blowing. I can see why Donna isn’t in love with train horns.

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               Downtown Dallas City IL.

The highlight of my stay was the eastbound Southwest Chief heading toward Chicago at a cool79 mph.

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It was going so fast I missed the nose of the lead engine.

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It blew through town like yesterday’s news.

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             UP freight on the Old Santa Fe line.

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It got a little warm sitting waiting for trains.

Headed back to Fort Madison and stopped to look for a stove for the trailer.

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Could have had a deal on these but I don’t know if Donna would like either one.

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             Islands in the river at Dallas City IL.

That’s about it for today I look forward to a nice lazy day tomorrow. Be safe out there.Sam & Donna.

8 comments:

  1. Looks like a good but hot day of train watching.

    I have a brother in law that just retired from the BNSF after fourty years of service about a month ago.He just turn 60 years old.

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  2. AHA! NOW you are beginning to see how I became a train basher! Just imagine living 500 ft from those suckers...(I do have to admit, I love the old steam engines)...Don't know where Dallas City is, but it looks pretty warm..YOU be safe out there big guy!!!!...and thanks for the "shout out"...

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  3. Who would be responsible for chopping the wood?

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  4. It's pretty hard to even imagine a train flying through town at 79mph! Wow! That would sure make me look both ways before crossing the tracks!

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  5. So glad to hear you are having so much fun!!
    I really like the looks of the Southwest Chief.
    I think those stoves might just increase your weight in the rig a bit. LOL
    Nice pic of the river!! :-)

    Take care!
    Mike & Gerri (happytrails)

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  6. Ohh we had a stove like the first one in the cabin when I was a kid. Neato!

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    Karen and Steve
    (Our Blog) RVing: Small House... BIG Backyard
    http://kareninthewoods-kareninthewoods.blogspot.com/

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  7. I have my doubts that Donna would want a stove like that - might heat up the 5th wheel too much - or burn it down!

    Glad you have been having such a good time enjoying the trains.

    Riggs will be glad to see you.

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