I remember this trip well-- I figured these big consists of Paducah rebuilt GP10s lugging big trains across Iowa wouldn't last much longer...and they didn't. GP38-2s replaced these elderly consists a couple of years later, and then those were subsequently replaced by brand new GE ES44ACs. The railroad modernized quickly, and to this day is one of the more exciting U.S. regional railroads which has managed to stay independent. But memories of throttled up EMD 567 powerplants hustling big freights across the Heartland are forever with me. 403 was one of, if not the last, GP10 wearing the solid yellow nose scheme at the time. The third unit is showing its obvious heritage, as well.
