Virtual Railfan's LIVE train cameras capture trains on BNSF's Chillicothe Sub from the Fort Madison Marina as they cross the Mississippi River via the historic Fort Madison Swing Bridge. Completed in 1927, this mile-long engineering marvel features a 525-foot swing span — the longest of its kind at the time — carrying two railway tracks below and a two-lane roadway above. The bridge, manned 24/7, opens over 2,000 times a year for river traffic, which has priority per US Coast Guard regulations.
The BNSF Chillicothe Sub, part of the Southern Transcon, is a key freight corridor, also hosting Amtrak's Southwest Chief, which stops daily at the historic Fort Madison Depot. Union Pacific has trackage rights on this line, adding to the traffic mix. Also visible is the BNSF Hannibal Sub, or "K-Line," a single-track route linking Burlington, IA, and St. Louis, MO. Together, both subdivisions see around 65 trains per day.
Watch Amtrak passenger trains and heavy freight from this scenic PTZ camera positioned at the Fort Madison Marina, overlooking one of America's most impressive railroad bridges. The camera captures the full drama of trains crossing the historic swing span above the Mississippi River, along with the occasional bridge opening for river traffic. Hosted by the Kingsley Inn, this is an ideal vantage point for serious railfans and casual train watchers alike.
Fort Madison Railroad Radio Feed: https://www.broadcastify.com/webPlayer/40143
Camera Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZVTDHruUb7PyJUgb7
Kingsley Inn: https://www.kingsley-inn.com