Terrific Train Sites & Sightings in the QC

For those who love (or even just like) trains, the Quad Cities is a wonderland of interesting facts, historical significance, fun adventures, and enjoyable viewing. You’ll find delightful toy trains, exciting train rides, and big imposing engines.

Terrific Train sites/sightings in the Quad Cities

1. Travel UNDER a train on a double-decker bridge

How is this possible? It’s quite the story.

In 1854, the railroad reached Rock Island and in 1856, the first railroad bridge across the Mississippi was built here, connecting Rock Island, Illinois, with Davenport, Iowa. The bridge was made primarily of wood and had five fixed spans, each with a flat top and each 250 feet long. The draw, or swing, span was 286 feet long and located near the middle of the river. At the time, it was the longest swing span in the world.

The new wooden railroad bridge was struck by a steamboat, the Effie Afton, soon after its completion, setting off a major conflict between steamboat and railroad interests that ultimately reached the U.S. Supreme Court, and the outcome was in favor of the railroad and involved a little-known lawyer, Abraham Licoln.

**You can see a mural of the First Railroad bridge in downtown Rock Island at the corner of 17th Street and 3rd Avenue. You can even see the riverboat in the distance!

The bridge’s replacement, completed in 1866, was probably the last Mississippi River bridge to have been constructed largely with wood. It only lasted six years before a new double-decker structure was completed. Then a steel structure was completed in 1896. The Government bridge was the first bridge designed by Ralph Modjeski, the man who went on to become “America’s Greatest Bridge Builder.” The double-decker bridge has double railroad tracks on top and vehicle traffic underneath. The swing span opens to accommodate boats/barges going up and down the river. It weighs 1,250 tons and it is the only one like it in the world.

If the timing is right and there is a train also using the bridge, you can drive your car on the lower level while hearing the rumble of a train on the upper level. It is both terrifying and exhilarating at the same time.

2. Ride the Niabi Zoo Express

Located in Coal Valley, IL, Niabi Zoo offers 40+ acres bustling with more than 600 animals representing 200 species from around the world and is a thriving part of the Rock Island County Forest Preserve District.

See animal habitats in a whole new way when you take a ride on the Niabi Zoo express train.

3. Enjoy the detailed tracks of the Western Illinois Model Train Club

Located one block east of the four-way stop in Viola, Illinois, and then a half block south, you’ll find one of the most fantastic train set ups in the Quad Cities region. They are open Mondays and Thursdays from 2 - 4 p.m. or by appointment: call 309-781-7873.

Plans for a two-level HO scale train system with a DCC layout will fill the building. The train club is always looking for new members to help with these exciting efforts.

4. Find the Train Garden at the Quad City Botanical Center

All aboard! The Botanical Center, in partnership with the Heartland Model Railway Club, is home to a 1:24th scale garden train railway exhibit. Up to four independent trains can operate on the almost 800 feet of track. The train is operational on Sunday afternoons 12 - 4 p.m., May through October, and for special holidays and private events when requested in advance. Enter this garden from inside the Botanical Center just past the banquet rooms.

5. Watch the train cars passing through the Quad Cities

Here are some of the best places to catch a glimpse of these iron beasts:

Rock Island

Abbey Station
Behind the Quad City Botanical Center
Downtown at Schwiebert Park

Moline

By the John Deere Pavilion
Along Ben Butterworth Parkway

Davenport

Across from the Village of East Davenport
From up in the Skybridge
Follow the elevated train bridge across the Government Bridge as it winds through Davenport.

BONUS Train tip: Sometimes there is an old train caboose in the Rock Island Train Yard outside the Abbey Station. My kids love to drive by and look for her. I’d LOVE to know her history. I bet she’s seen quite a bit and traveled the rails around the country. It’s great to find her back home every so often.

Written by Meghan Cooley

Meghan Cooley moved to the Quad Cities from St. Charles, IL, as an Augustana College student over 20 years ago. She left briefly after graduation and then returned to work in admissions and then marketing at Augustana College for 18 years. She now works as a consultant for admissions marketing and social media. She also does copy editing and writes for the Quad City Moms Blog. Now a true Quad Cities transplant, Meghan lives in Rock Island with her husband, Luke (R.O.W.V.A. and Augustana grad and Modern Woodmen employee) and four boys. She loves living in the Quad Cities and finds it the perfect place to raise a family, plan a date night, and go on adventures.