Iowa Interstate No. 6988

Iowa Interstate No. 6988 (Nicknamed "Iowa Bolt") is a QJ class 2-10-2 "Santa Fe" type steam locomotive built by the Datong Locomotive Works of China in 1985.
==History==
No. 6988 is a QJ class 2-10-2 "Santa Fe" type steam locomotive built in 1985 by the Datong Locomotive Works for the Ji Tong Railway of China. It was used for steam-powered passenger trains on the Jining–Tongliao railway of Inner Mongolia. After twenty years of service in China, it was bought by Henry Posner III of Railroad Development Corporation along with No. 7081.https://www.steamlocomotive.info/vlocomotive.cfm?Display=6442https://www.csspa.org/abouthttp://www.markusworldwide.ch/Railways/Steam/China/JiTong/ThePassenger.htmhttps://steamgiants.com/united-states/iowa/iowa-interstate-6988/https://iaisrr.com/railroad/history-of-iais/
In preparation for Train Festival 2011, No. 6988 was "Americanized" having the skyline casing removed and the locomotive being given a new brass number plate, a bell, a new headlight, and a new paint scheme. No. 6988 and No. 7081 are currently awaiting their Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) federally mandated 1,472-day boiler inspections and will eventually return to service at some point. No. 6988 went on a ferry move on June 12, 2022 to Bureau Junction, IL and back to Silvis where it entered the Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA)'s former Rock Island Railroad shops and yard in preparation for its mandated 1,472-day overhaul. As of today, it remains stored at the RRHMA's Rock Island shops awaiting its mandated 1,472-day overhaul. It was later joined by Union Pacific Challenger No. 3985 and 2-10-2 type No. 5511 on November 19, 2022.
==Trivia== 
*6988 is one of three China Railways QJ locomotives in the United States and is one of six Chinese locomotives in the country.
*6988 is equipped with three whistle valves and an air horn.
*When initially modified to comply with American standards, 6988 was given an EMD bronze bell mounted beneath the running board which would later be swapped for a brass bell mounted at the top of the smokebox door.
*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. During this run, 6988 carried a Ukrainian flag in support of Ukraine, which at the time, had recently been invaded by Russia on February 24, 2022.
==Gallery== 
*Gallery
==References==
Category:Steam locomotives
Category:Tender locomotives
Category:2-10-2 steam locomotives
Category:2-10-2 locomotives
Category:Chinese locomotives
Category:Ten-coupled locomotives
Category:Built in 1985
Category:Standard gauge locomotives
Category:US railroads
Category:Passenger locomotives
Category:Freight locomotives
Category:Locomotives
Category:Preserved locomotives
Category:United States
Category:China
Category:Chinese steam locomotives
Category:4 foot 8 1⁄2 inch gauge
Category:CRRC Datong locomotives
Category:China Railways locomotives
Category:Excursion locomotives
Category:American steam locomotives
Category:Restored locomotives
Category:Preserved steam locomotives