Mike's Railroad Crossing Forum

I'm hoping some folks in that area of the country can help me out here. I am unaware of how the Iowa Interstate stumbled up on the two Chinese QJ steam locomotives that I see all over YouTube. What is the deal with these two locomotives?

I know they are used for special passenger excursions and even double-headed to create the longest steam-pulled revenue freight train but what is the story behind the locomotives themselves? Are they on loan from a Chinese railroad or did the IAIS purchase them outright?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Railroad Development Corpration, parent company of IAIS owns the QJs. RDC bought a third QJ, which was sold to RJ Corman (Old Smokey).

Here's the QJ info from Railroad Development Corporation's site: http://www.rrdc.com/news_QJ.html

Thanks for that info, sir. It all makes sense, now.