Utilizing all remaining rail left from the original order, I managed to cross the Mississippi River and make the turn into Davenport. A few late nights and a lot of glue later, I was able to continue laying track down to the West Davenport crossover. I'm missing half the crossover, but was very pleased with the progress. I'm very happy with the decision to make the yard curved vs. the straight alternative originally planned. The addition of the car and back shops by Marcus looks great! They fit nicely in the open area between the yard and wall.
Here are photos of recent progress plus a grain train's journey from Bureau to West Davenport, IA. Sorry about the quality of some photos. Lighting in the room is horrible. We will need to figure out an alternative solution.
Late in the evening, the first train crosses the Mississippi river.
Love the river crossing!!
A view from over near McGee Creek
Extra Grain West @ Bureau with two U25Bs pulling a 13 car train
Extra Grain West @ West Bureau Siding Switch
Extra Grain West passing the grain elevator
Extra Grain West passing the grain elevator
Extra Grain West passing the grain elevator
Extra Grain West at the approach to East Rock Island
Extra Grain West @ East Rock Island Main/Siding switch
Extra Grain West @ Rock Island passing the Sunrise Feed Mill and Valley Fuel & Produce facility
Extra Grain West @ Rock Island.
White paper on the left is the station.
Extra Grain West @ Franklin Farms headed downgrade to the Mississippi River
Extra Grain West @ McGee Creek
Extra Grain West @ the approach to the Mississippi River Bridge
Extra Grain West crossing the Mississippi River
Davenport, IA
Freight House + East Davenport Industrial Park
Davenport, IA
Freight House + East Davenport Industrial Park
Carrie Ave Shops @ Davenport Yard
Carrie Ave Shops @ Davenport Yard
Davenport Yard
White paper on right is Davenport Passenger Stati
West Davenport
#7 Crossover
West Davenport Industrial Park
Kohrs Cold Storage (left), Continental Grain Company (left back) with river barge dock
Extra Grain West @ Davenport Station
Extra Grain West @ West Davenport
Extra Grain West @ West Davenport
Carrie Shops in the Background
Rock Island GP38-2 @ Carrie Ave Shops
Rock Island GP38-2 and GP40 @ Carrie Ave Shops
Extra Grain West @ West Davenport
Extra Grain West @ West Davenport
Extra Grain West passing the grain elevator
Extra Grain West at the approach to East Rock Island
Extra Grain West @ East Rock Island Main/Siding switch
Extra Grain West @ Rock Island passing the Sunrise Feed Mill and Valley Fuel & Produce facility
Extra Grain West @ Rock Island. 
Extra Grain West @ Franklin Farms headed downgrade to the Mississippi River
Extra Grain West @ McGee Creek
Extra Grain West @ the approach to the Mississippi River Bridge
Extra Grain West crossing the Mississippi River
Davenport, IA
Davenport, IA
Carrie Ave Shops @ Davenport Yard
Carrie Ave Shops @ Davenport Yard
Davenport Yard
Extra Grain West @ West Davenport
Rock Island GP38-2 @ Carrie Ave Shops
One word... EXCELLENT!
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The grain elevator in the single track between Bureau and Rock Island is in a perfect place. That shot of the grain train snaking through the S-Curve past that elevator has my vote as one of my favorite places so far to see a train. Very nice.
The river crossing looks great too. That bridge is smokin'!
The shops buildings fit in there just right. Glad to see them going to good use.
Well done!
Marcus
Why thank you! Each scene has many hours of staring involved trying to figure out the best track alignment. I so agree with your philosophy "straight track is evil!"
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