Railfanning 101

Discover why Fort Madison, Iowa, is renowned as one of the premier destinations for rail enthusiasts world wide! Experience the thrill of witnessing 60-80 trains traversing the scenic Mississippi riverfront daily. With captivating views captured by the Virtual Railfan camera, every moment promises an unforgettable experience!

Watch Live!
Watch Live!

Railfanning

A tour flyer advertisement for Fort Madison, Iowa, featuring details about guided and optional tours along the Mississippi River, including historic sites, museums, and local attractions, with a map showing distances from major cities like Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Omaha.
Printable Railfan Guide
Printable Railfan Guide

Amtrak’s Southwest Chief

A magazine page celebrating Amtrak's four-year anniversary in Fort Madison, Iowa, with historical photos of train travelers, the train station, and Amtrak trains, along with text describing the history and current service of Amtrak.

Amtrak is a fantastic way to travel to Fort Madison! The Southwest Chief travels between Chicago and Los Angeles and stops in Fort Madison twice a day. Our depot is located in the historic 1910 Santa Fe Depot in downtown Fort Madison along the Mississippi Riverfront!

Amtrak Tickets
Amtrak Tickets
Fort Madison Amtrak 319-372-3142
Fort Madison Amtrak 319-372-3142
Historic train station with a red train and a blue locomotive passing by, surrounded by buildings and trees, with a metal fence in the foreground.

PHOTO GALLERY

A black and white photo showing a vintage train stopped at Fort Madison train station, with tracks, platform, and station building visible.
Black and white photo of a busy train station platform at Fort Madison with travelers waiting and luggage, and a train on the left side.
Old black-and-white photo of the Santa Fe train station in Fort Madison, Iowa, featuring a building with arches and a sign reading 'FORT MADISON'.
Black and white photo of a Santa Fe train station at Fort Madison, Iowa, with a train arriving and workers on the platform.
Historical black-and-white photograph of Santa Fe Depot at Fort Madison, Iowa, featuring train tracks, a station building, and surrounding buildings with trees and utility poles.
Snow-covered Fort Madison train station with red locomotive, brick buildings, and street lamps.
View of Fort Madison train station in Iowa during early evening, with train tracks, benches, street lamps, and a red Santa Fe train car on the left.
A small train station with a red train parked on the tracks, a brick building with a red roof, a parking lot, and a town with a church steeple in the background.
A street scene at a train station with a silver train on tracks, brick buildings, vintage-style street lamps, and a tall smokestack in the background.
Black and white photo of a vintage steam locomotive pulling passenger cars on railroad tracks near a small town with trees and buildings in the background.
Amtrak train arriving at Fort Madison station with a brick building and street lamps in the background.

Amtrak

A vintage red caboose train car with Santa Fe branding, displayed on a short track outdoors under a clear blue sky.
Historic train station with a red building labeled "Fort Madison" and a vintage Santa Fe train engine to the left.
A blue and white train passing by a historic train station named Fort Madison, with a red locomotive in the foreground and a black fence along the train tracks.
A group of people waiting at a train station platform during sunset, with a train passing by in the background.
Informational flyer about train spotting in Fort Madison, Iowa, featuring historical photos and details, train schedules, lodging tips, and safety advice.

BIG NEWS RAIL FANS!

Discover the Midwest's latest waterfront destination! Not only is this a great marina for boaters, but the views for railfanning are phenomenal!

Turnwater Bar and Grill
Turnwater Bar and Grill
Fort Madison Marina
Fort Madison Marina
Aerial view of a river at sunset with a marina, parking lot, industrial buildings, a train bridge, and a boat on the water.

Fort Madison finally has it’s own model train and supply store and it will be located at the entrance of the Santa Fe Depot Complex.

Trains Gone By
Trains Gone By
A group of people gathered in a room for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, with one person holding a certificate and others smiling.

We have great railfans that visit us from all over the world. Visit Fort Madison and join the railfanning fun!

A collage of nine photos featuring various people of different ages enjoying activities outdoors and indoors, including group photos, at a museum, on a boat, and visiting a train station.

Fort Madison Railfan Comments!

  • A woman with glasses holding a small dog in a sweater, with a smiling man standing behind her in an indoor setting.

    “If train watching is in your blood, then Fort Madison has got to be on your list of places to visit. The high volume of train activity and the spectacular view of the Mississippi River make it worth the drive! Definitely our favorite railfanning destination.”

    Ronn & Paula V - Wisconsin

  • Group of seven people posing under a brick archway at a train station, with a sign reading 'Fort Madison' and a park and river in the background.

    “Fort Madison is a great place because of it's location on the banks of the Mississippi, it's swing bridge and it's great variety and number of trains".

    Adrian W - England

  • An elderly couple standing on a train platform during sunset, smiling with their arms around each other. The woman is wearing a blue jacket and glasses, and the man is wearing a gray polo shirt and jeans, holding a camera. A small dog is sitting in a stroller nearby.

    "We've been to Fort Madison six times between October 2021 and September 2023. There are many trains every day including Amtrak's Southwest Chief, combined with multiple viewing spots, all of which are outstanding. The renovation of the old Santa Fe Depot is an added plus. When you combine all of that along with the area's history and outstanding views of the Mississippi River, and all the river traffic, the unique Santa Fe/BNSF swing bridge, the hospitality of the Kingsley Inn, great places to eat and the friendliness of all the people, Fort Madison is a "must go" place for rail fans."

    Bruce & Deb H - Wisconsin

  • Five people standing in front of the Fort Madison sign at a train station, smiling and posing for a photo.

    "We like railfanning in Fort Madison for many reasons: being on the Mississippi River, the Kingsley Inn, the people we meet and best of all, there are 3 tracks with trains all day long!"

    Jule Sisco - Texas

  • A man with glasses and a beard taking a selfie outdoors near a river with a bridge in the background. The sky is partly cloudy with blue skies.

    "

    Sergio V - Italy

  • "I love Fort Madison because it is not only a wonderful place to watch trains, but a great place to take a walk along the Mississippi River and watch trains (or boats) as you stroll. You can sit and relax on a park bench or have a thrill on the bridgewalk over the train tracks and watch the trains come through right below you. You can have a great meal at Jake and Walt's Fort diner. Then drinks at River Rocks to wind down a beautiful day. Top that all off by spending your night at the Kingsley Inn and try to get a river front room! Watching the Virtual Railfan camera is icing on the cake once you have been to Fort Madison. It will certainly bring back all the wonderful memories you made."

    Ann F - Texas

Logo for Depot Southeast Iowa Tour featuring a circular design with a black, white, and gold color scheme, and a star on the right side.

Embark on a journey through time and discover the rich history of Southeast Iowa's depots. Join us for Southeast Iowa Depot Days, where you can visit 11 lovingly preserved depots nestled in the scenic rolling hills of our region.

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Facebook Event Listing
More Depot Tour Information
More Depot Tour Information