Fort Madison, Iowa

The Kingsley Inn hosts Virtual Railfan’s LIVE train cameras in Fort Madison, capturing BNSF’s Chillicothe Sub near the Mississippi River and the iconic Fort Madison Swing Bridge, built in 1927. The bridge opens over 2,000 times yearly for river traffic, which takes priority per US Coast Guard rules. The BNSF Chillicothe Sub, part of the Southern Transcon, sees heavy freight traffic, Amtrak’s Southwest Chief with daily stops at the nearby historic depot, and Union Pacific trains via trackage rights. The BNSF Hannibal Sub, or "K-Line," also runs nearby, linking Burlington, IA, and St. Louis, MO, with around 65 trains daily across both lines. The Kingsley Inn, a historic gem in downtown Fort Madison, offers charming accommodations just blocks from the tracks and depot, making it a perfect spot for railfans to stay and explore the scenic riverfront.