I grew up in Fort Madison, and my parents were buried in Illinois. On the day of my mother's funeral, we had services in Fort Madison and had to drive to Illinois for the burial. As we were crossing the bridge, we had to stop for two barges, one northbound and one southbound. My dad was about to have a fit, but I took the opportunity to savor the moment and watched from above as the barges passed underneath. I felt like Mom had almost planned it. It was an experience of a lifetime.
Thanks for the video! Since I watch the Ft. Madison rail cam from time to time, Now I know what its like to pass through the swing bridge channel opening.
I have driven a vehicle across that bridge many times!!! It was fun to see that bridge from your perspective. I live just a couple miles North of Larry Creek!! ;-)
Beautiful video! Thank You Captain! Growing up in St. Louis, I had (and still do have) a lot of respect and appreciation for our barge operations. What you do is crucial to all of us too!!👋👋💯😊❗❗
I'm a native of Paducah, Ky. on the Ohio and Tennessee and worked for Illinois Central RR in E. St. Louis. Lot of respect for you guys. Paducah was home of such Companies as Hougland, Crounse Corp., Igert Towing and now Marquette. Lot of River history there! Best of luck to you All!
I, too, am here from the Virtual Railfan Fort Madison camera fan club. I could not resist watching a video of what we see going through the open bridge. Who knows...I might have watched this tow pass by !
thanks for posting that. I used to run trains out of Ft. Mad to KC, been boated many times, that was the term we used when the bridge was open and our train was on the Illinois side. As someone who grew up on the Mo. river I was surprised that the Mississippi was almost dead water. Anyhow travel safe and thanks.
