Rides on the "Blue Train" were by invitation, so the stainless steel Rock Island cars carried a collection of small-town dignitaries and business persons. The cars were not crowded, however, and one or two railfans managed to slip aboard as well! The train headed east across the Des Moines river, rounded the southwest leg of the wye at Shortline Junction, went south to Carlisle, and was soon out on the freshly ballasted Indianola branch. Eventually, the train arrived in Indianola under the watchful eyes of every available Rock Island official.
