Dubuque, Iowa

[schlimm]

I second greyhound's recommendation.  Also there are a lot of interesting examples of 19th century architecture and the Fourth Street (Fenelon Place) Elevator, which  is a working funicular railway. 

[greyhounds]

I highly recommend a visit to Dubuque.

I just got back from a summer get-away to Dubuque.  Lots 'O trains.  Mostly over on the eastern bank of the Mississippi where the BNSF double track line from Illinois to the Twin Cities runs.  But the CN (ex IC) and CP (ex just about everything, but "originally" the Milwaukee Road) also serve Dubuque.

The CN has a very old swing bridge across the river.  On the eastern side the line comes off the bridge, immediately crosses the BNSF tracks, and enters a curved tunnel.  A railroad tunnel in Illinois is worth seeing.  While on a Mississippi River cruise I saw a CN coal train cross the bridge with BNSF DP power.  The river cruise was $15.00/person and provided some excellent views of the CN bridge (we went through the draw twice) and the western portal of the tunnel.

If you're in to "Comparative Transportation Technology" you can visit Lock and Dam #11 and watch barges and towboats being lifted/lowerd in the lock.  There is a raised public viewing platform next to the lock.

There is a beautiful river walk in Dubuque on the west bank that ends at the Dubuque Star Brewery.  The brewery is next to the CN track and bridge.  They don't brew beer there anymore, but the brewery was featured in two movies.  F.I.S.T. with Silvester Stalone and "Take This Job And Shove It."   You can have an outdoor lunch at the former brewery with a view of the CN bridge close by and the BNSF across the river.

There are also a couple of casinos and a Greyhound track if you want to try your luck with something other than watching machines move freight.  I hit the last Greyhound race Thursday evening by keying a little girl Greyhound named "Girl's Day" in the quinella.  I lost it all back at the blackjack table.

I was there with my significant other female person and she was very happy with the experience, so, at least for me, it's a place to go with the GF and enjoy trains.  Try the alligator appetizer at Catfish Charlies while enjoying more outdoor dining with a view of the Mississippi.