| The Gregarious Railfan |
Clinton, IA 52732 (population, 26,869)
GPS: N 41.83602, W 90.18783 (bridge) Google map
Scanner: UP 161.040 [62]; CP (IC&E) 160.770 [44], 161.370(?) [84]; marine 156.650
Railroads: Union Pacific Central Division, Clinton Sub; Canadian Pacific (DME) Quad Cities Division, Davenport Sub
Description: Clinton, Iowa is located in East Iowa on the Mississippi River. It is at the point that the UP
(former CNW) main from Chicago crosses the Mississippi River. It is also served by the Canadian Pacific (ex Iowa,
Chicago & Eastern Railroad, formerly, Montana Rail Link), with rails and facilities within view of the bridge. The UP
Bridge is a double track swing bridge that opens for barge traffic on the river (This Bridge is scheduled to be replaced
in 2014/15). Parking for decent viewing of the bridge is from the private parking lot of Midwest Poly (2003) at 901
S. 3rd St. in Clinton (N 41.83639, W 90.19060). Railfans that I have talked to generally only use this lot on
weekends and aren’t sure what company policy is towards railfans. Another location to view rail traffic coming off the
bridge is just up the hill off S. 2nd St. (N 41.83602, W 90.18783), however, don’t venture too far onto RR
property. There is a UP yard with a crew change point at Beaver Channel Parkway (N 41.8180, W 90.2188) West of
Clinton, on US-30; although recent improvements to US-30 have eliminated any convenient parking. The UP main
through Clinton sees about 60 trains a day. About 22 miles north of Clinton, the BNSF approaches the Mississippi at
Savanna, IL (N 42.0900, W 90.1549) and proceeds north along the east side of the river. Savanna is worth the side
trip if you have some extra time. Also marine traffic along the Mississippi is interesting if you like that kind of thing.
Marine frequency # 156.650 and other marine channels can be interesting by the locks and bridges.
Approximate # trains per 24 hours: 50
Gregariousness quotient: Low
Local Food: a wide selection of fast food and eateries are north of Clinton on US-67.
Local Pub and grub: Rastrelli’s, 239 Main Ave. (N 41.87307, W 90.18182) They have Great Pizza. (only my opinion)
Lodging: Food and Lodging (including Motel 6 & Super 8) are available west on US-30 near the UP yard at Beaver
Channel parkway. Railfan Motels.com
Clinton Vistors Guide
GPS: N 41.83602, W 90.18783 (bridge) Google map
Scanner: UP 161.040 [62]; CP (IC&E) 160.770 [44], 161.370(?) [84]; marine 156.650
Railroads: Union Pacific Central Division, Clinton Sub; Canadian Pacific (DME) Quad Cities Division, Davenport Sub
Description: Clinton, Iowa is located in East Iowa on the Mississippi River. It is at the point that the UP
(former CNW) main from Chicago crosses the Mississippi River. It is also served by the Canadian Pacific (ex Iowa,
Chicago & Eastern Railroad, formerly, Montana Rail Link), with rails and facilities within view of the bridge. The UP
Bridge is a double track swing bridge that opens for barge traffic on the river (This Bridge is scheduled to be replaced
in 2014/15). Parking for decent viewing of the bridge is from the private parking lot of Midwest Poly (2003) at 901
S. 3rd St. in Clinton (N 41.83639, W 90.19060). Railfans that I have talked to generally only use this lot on
weekends and aren’t sure what company policy is towards railfans. Another location to view rail traffic coming off the
bridge is just up the hill off S. 2nd St. (N 41.83602, W 90.18783), however, don’t venture too far onto RR
property. There is a UP yard with a crew change point at Beaver Channel Parkway (N 41.8180, W 90.2188) West of
Clinton, on US-30; although recent improvements to US-30 have eliminated any convenient parking. The UP main
through Clinton sees about 60 trains a day. About 22 miles north of Clinton, the BNSF approaches the Mississippi at
Savanna, IL (N 42.0900, W 90.1549) and proceeds north along the east side of the river. Savanna is worth the side
trip if you have some extra time. Also marine traffic along the Mississippi is interesting if you like that kind of thing.
Marine frequency # 156.650 and other marine channels can be interesting by the locks and bridges.
Approximate # trains per 24 hours: 50
Gregariousness quotient: Low
Local Food: a wide selection of fast food and eateries are north of Clinton on US-67.
Local Pub and grub: Rastrelli’s, 239 Main Ave. (N 41.87307, W 90.18182) They have Great Pizza. (only my opinion)
Lodging: Food and Lodging (including Motel 6 & Super 8) are available west on US-30 near the UP yard at Beaver
Channel parkway. Railfan Motels.com
Clinton Vistors Guide
| Clinton, IA Rail Bridge |
| Clinton Rail Bridge with US-30 highway bridge in the foreground Union Pacific Picture |
Railroad: Union Pacific Central Division, Clinton Sub
Railfan Access: Very Limited but good long view from a riverfront park north of the US-30 highway bridge.
Description: The existing bridge at Clinton is a double-track steel bridge, 890 feet long, opened to rail traffic in
1909. It consists of a 460-foot long movable bridge of the swing-span type – it swings horizontally around a pier in
the middle of the river channel to open and close – and two fixed spans totaling 430 feet in length. The steel
structure of the bridge clears the normal river level by 18 feet, 7 inches.
The Union Pacific is currently planning a new rail bridge at Clinton and is in the process of generating environmental
statements and applying for state and federal grants.
Railfan Access: Very Limited but good long view from a riverfront park north of the US-30 highway bridge.
Description: The existing bridge at Clinton is a double-track steel bridge, 890 feet long, opened to rail traffic in
1909. It consists of a 460-foot long movable bridge of the swing-span type – it swings horizontally around a pier in
the middle of the river channel to open and close – and two fixed spans totaling 430 feet in length. The steel
structure of the bridge clears the normal river level by 18 feet, 7 inches.
The Union Pacific is currently planning a new rail bridge at Clinton and is in the process of generating environmental
statements and applying for state and federal grants.
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