Union Pacific 8044 Passes Through Mount Vernon, Iowa

Union Pacific Railroad's locomotive 8044 rolls eastward through Mount Vernon, Iowa a few weeks ago. From top of the original Lincoln Highway bridge, which is now restricted to pedestrians only, you can get close to rail traffic complete with an aerial perspective. On this day 8044 pulled metal ingots, scrap, tankers, and a lot more. On again/off again talk of adding a third line to accommodate additional freight traffic continues.

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Goose Neck Corn

Last week's severe wind storm (July 11th) produced damage to buildings and crops in northern sections of Linn and Benton counties of eastern Iowa. Wind can cause corn stalks to bend close to the ground. When the stalks re-right themselves, the resultant shape looks like a goose neck. Many times this condition is found along roads or open areas where the wind can blow on unprotected stalks.

These particular stalks look to be fine. Other stands we observed last weekend were more severely deformed. Some stands were already chopped by farmers for silage. Know that.

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