The Illinois-Iowa Railfan

I am planing a mini vacation to see grandma out in Davenport I plan on two days but I suspect that two will turn into three as I would like to get shots out east. Any member s of the fourm world like to meet up let me know . I will most likely be staying the first night in Lowden at the Lincon hotel or the B&B there

UP1995 wrote:I am planing a mini vacation to see grandma out in Davenport I plan on two days but I suspect that two will turn into three as I would like to get shots out east. Any member s of the fourm world like to meet up let me know . I will most likely be staying the first night in Lowden at the Lincon hotel or the B&B there

I would like to know where some good shots are out east along 30 and gravel roads and also where the mile long curve is located ,what county blacktop and also if the Cedar River birgde is accesable via County backtop. I will let you guys know when I expect to travel, there are 7 more days left of detasseling so I would like to go after that gets done.
Thanks for the help!

The west end of the Cedar River bridge is easily accessed. If you come in on U.S. 30 get off at the "C" street exit... you pass under it to exit in a reverse curve from either direction. From the west, there is a very large cream color water tower on the North side of 30 just west of the exit. From the east, it is the first "limited access" type exit past the Cedar River (there are a couple of 90-deg turns to gravel roads, ignore them). Go north on "C", you'll cross a single track and then descend a hill... the Prairie Creek Power Station is to the west. Cross the U.P. double-track and on the left is a small parking lot for the entrance to a walking trail (old Burlington Route). Park there and cross "C" to the walking trail. Walk south on the trail and you will be on a pedestrian bridge over the U.P. mainline with the C.R. bridge to the east.

I stood up there the other day when a "tie" train came through... I don't know why it was working as hard as it was... the cars were not all full of ties, and I don't think that there is much grade there, but both engines were barking so loud I could not keep my feet from wanting to LEAVE!!!!!! Next time I'm gonna see if hanging on to the railing will keep me from fleeing!

If you would like a nice side view of the C.R. River bridge... just at the base of the hill, south of the U.P. tracks is a road to the east, through a VERY old single lane limestone block underpass (with stop sign on both sides). Take that road, it turns south right past the underpass, and then a few hundred feet take the left turn (not the gated one, go farther south). A few more hundred feet is a small area you can pull off on the left. That will be right along the river where it bends to the east. The U.P. bridge will be right in front of you, albeit a bit farther away than some would like... I recommend a good telephoto lens on your cameras. Great lighting all day.

Note: there is a gravel area on the left of "C" right at the grade crossing and lots of folk park there, but I would recommend against it. I have been "told" to leave by the local police. I also would recommend to NOT approach the bridge there... yes, easy walk to it, but "trespassers" are "persecuted".

Another place you can sometimes park is just to the north of the tracks on the left (west), closer than the parking lot I mentioned above, but it has a gate that is sometimes open and sometimes not... the parking is for the ball diamonds in the park there.

The foot bridge over the tracks is just too good to pass up, anyway!

Have fun Todd, I was just in Iowa this past week, so I won't be back for a month or so, maybe next time. Have fun while out railfanning!

I'll also have to check out a few of the places listed above, sounds like fun!

Rooms have been booked, im staying at the Sleep In in Mt Veron. and by the Machineshead restrunt in Davenport. I am leaving Monday morning.