Ride the Rails behind the World's Largest Operating Diesel Locomotive
Step aboard a rare piece of living history as you ride in classic vintage streamliner coaches powered by the world’s largest diesel locomotive, Union Pacific DDA40X #6936 on a scenic rail adventure across the heartland.
Railroading Heritage of Midwest America (RRHMA) in conjunction with the Iowa Interstate Railroad is proud to present RRHMA-Silvis’s patriotic themed fundraiser trip, “The Liberty Rocket”
Funds from this trip will benefit local nonprofits such as Operation Lifesaver, Inc.
Making its mainline debut after restoration, RRHMA presents ATSF #537!
ATSF #537 is an ex-Santa Fe Dash 8-40BW Locomotive, donated to our organization by the BNSF Railway in 2023. Freshly restored to its original as-delivered paint in 2024, this will be the first time that #537 has hit the mainline powering trains again since revenue service.
Whether you're a lifelong railfan or simply looking for a unique way to experience Midwest history and scenery, this is a fundraiser you won’t want to miss!
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Locomotive Power: UP DD-40-X #6936
- Departure: RRHMA-Silvis, 9:00 AM
- Arrival: West Liberty, IA ~11:00AM, 1 Hour Layover
- Wye: South Amana, IA ~2:00PM
- Return: RRHMA-Silvis, 6:00 PM
- Round-Trip Duration: ~8.5 Hours
***All Departure and Arrival time are subject to change
Our Saturday trip traces the historic Rock Island Line westward across the Mississippi River and into the rolling farmland of eastern Iowa. Along the way, enjoy:
- Stunning river views over The Quad Cities
- Vintage railroad infrastructure
- Opportunities for railfan photography
***Bagged Lunches from The Hungry Hobo will be provided***
Upon arrival in West Liberty, enjoy time to view this charming Iowa town:
- Visit the Historic Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Depot and enjoy a boxed lunch provided by The Hungry Hobo
- One-on-one Q&A with our top-notch steam restoration crew
Sunday, September 27, 2026
Locomotive Power: ATSF B40-8W #537
- Departure: RRHMA-Silvis, 10:00 AM
- Arrival: Bureau Jct, IL ~12:30PM, 1.5 Hour Layover
- Return: RRHMA-Silvis, 4:30 PM
- Round-Trip Duration: ~6.5 Hours
***All Departure and Arrival time are subject to change
Our Sunday trip heads to the heart of the Illinois River Valley, following the Rock Island mainline eastward towards the historic division point of Bureau Jct. On this trip, enjoy:
- Many Railroad landmarks and infrastructure
- Rural Illinois landscapes
- Opportunities for railfan photography
Upon arrival in Bureau Jct., we will be hosting a BBQ Lunch featuring:
- Catering from Tony’s Butt Shack BBQ – Your choice of Pulled pork, Pulled Chicken, Beans, Mac n’ Cheese & Slaw!
- One-on-one with our top-notch steam restoration crew
- Explore various craft vendors
Experience Vintage Luxury!
Travel behind our historic coach cars across the heartland!
Step back in time and experience vintage train travel in our historic streamliner coach cars! These air-conditioned coaches were donated by the Union Pacific Railroad in late 2022, and have since been restored by RRHMA staff and volunteers.
These coaches are equipped with 44 seats, all interiors restored to their as-delivered appearance in the 1950’s, including functional air-conditioning. Each coach is equipped with restrooms at each end of the car.
Tickets for four of our coaches from our fleet of streamliner cars will be available for the general public.
Climb aboard former Pennsylvania Railroad P70 coach cars from the Iowa Interstate Railroad! Purchased and now restored, these elegant coaches now run in service frequently on the IAIS for fundraiser trips.
These coaches are equipped with 72 seats per car, and has been converted to be an open-air style passenger car.
Enjoy the outdoors with these open window coaches.
Tickets for five of these coaches from the IAIS fleet will be available for the general public.
Erik Rasmussen Photo
1829 Media Photo
For the ultimate passenger rail experience, step aboard our one-of-a-kind “observation” business car, The Selma! This business car, once owned by the Union Pacific and Western Pacific railroads, was once the oldest car in the Union Pacific heritage fleet; built in 1912 by Pullman Standard.
Pullman would customize the car to the buyer’s specifications, including types of wood to be used in the interior, ventilation, heating and cabinet hardware. Selma has an observation room, three bedrooms, a secretary’s room, crew quarters, a dining room with seating for six, and a kitchen.
Only 10 tickets for this special passenger car will be available for the general public.
Tickets
Saturday, September 26, 2026
“The Selma” Business Car – $249 Per Person
Streamliner Coaches – $149 Per Person
P70 Coaches – $139 Per Person
Ages 4 and under ride for free.
*Box Lunch Included
The Selma – SOLD OUT!
Streamliner Coaches – SOLD OUT!
P70 Coaches – 200 seats remaining!
***Non ADA Accessible Equipment***
Sunday, September 27, 2026
“The Selma” Business Car – $229 Per Person
Streamliner Coaches – $129 Per Person
P70 Coaches – $99 Per Person
Ages 4 and under ride for free.
*Catered BBQ Lunch Included
The Selma – SOLD OUT!
Streamliner Coaches – 40 seats remaining!
P70 Coaches – 200 seats remaining!
***Non ADA Accessible Equipment***
Please arrive at least 45 minutes before scheduled departure time!
Exclusive Shop Tours!
Included with your ticket, guests will also have the unique experience to join a special guided tour through RRHMA-Silvis’s steam locomotive restoration facility!
Upon return to RRHMA’s Silvis facility following each day of trips behind “The Liberty Rocket” on September 26 & 27th, 2026, guests will be provided with refreshments and have a 90-minute guided shop tour throughout the facility by our steam locomotive restoration crew.
Guests will have the ability to be up close with the world famous Union Pacific “Challenger” locomotive, #3985, and see the last Union Pacific TTT Type Steam locomotive in existence, #5511.
Our steam restoration crew will be available everywhere throughout the facility to provide demonstrations, discussions, and detailed insight on what it takes to restore and maintain some of the largest steam locomotives ever built for the railroad.
Boarding Location
Boarding will be at RRHMA-Silvis
1101 2nd Avenue N, Silvis, IL 61282
When you arrive at the gate, please have your tickets ready, only ticketed passengers will be allowed on the property.
Parking is available on a first-come basis.
Parking lots open at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 26th
Parking lots open at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 27th
Overnight parking is not permitted. Click the map to the right for locations and directions.
