My Father's slides: The Rock Island Line

[Brian Austin]

My father took these slides in 1976, in northern/central Illinois, though specific locations were not noted.   (Note:  I found an album that suggests this set as well as the slide in the post below were taken in Ottawa, IL or perhaps closer to Peoria.)

Note the mix of paint schemes.  In some instances I have crop-zoomed the locos for closer viewing.

Edited September 13, 2023 by Brian Austin

[Brian Austin]

This slide was unmarked, but I was surprised to find the locos and lead boxcar closely resemble one of the trains posted above.

[Brian Austin]

For fun here are the two for comparison...

[Brian Austin]

This next batch was from Marseilles, IL in 1972.

My mother grew up in this sleepy city, and I recall visits in the '80s when my brother and I would run from our Grandparents' house though the neighborhood to catch a glimpse of the trains that passed through.

[Brian Austin]

Here we have a camping club parade brought to a halt by a freight train, again in Marseilles but in 1968.  Parades and grade crossings don't generally play well together.  ?

Edited September 13, 2023 by Brian Austin

[Russell C]

The blue & white is what I favored for my late '80s phantom Mercedes NASCAR build. I figured if the car make and engine could not be correct along with the car number, then the main sponsor ought to be a bankrupt-by-then railroad. Fits the "technically correct" overall theme, but the one liberty I took was with the lettering on the hood spelling out the whole name in case some folks had no idea what "The Rock" was.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Nice period shots. I particularly like the high-hood early EMD GPs without dynamic brakes in the first two frames, and the heavily weathered EMD SW single-stack switcher in the main street crossing farther down.  

GM/EMD built the best diesel locomotives in the world for decades, and there are 40, 50, 60, and even 70 year old examples still in revenue service with short-lines all over the country...including at least one late '60s GP-38 that rumbles and growls past my house every day, operated by the local Patriot Rail affiliate, Georgia Northeastern.

The GN retired their last high-hood early GP a few years ago, my understanding being because of the difficulty of finding replacement parts for the 567 prime mover. There was some concern that she'd be scrapped, but last I heard, she'd gone to a new home at a museum.

I miss seeing the old high-hood GP run past the house, as a Lionel GP-7 was my first model locomotive.

                              

Edited September 13, 2023 by Ace-Garageguy

[Mike C.]

I developed a new appreciation for trams when I took Amtrak from here in Pilly to West Palm beach FL. To visit family this past May. Never too the train that far before (24 hrs.) A lot less hassle and a lot more room than flying. However, I got a small private room which cost considerably more than flying. All meals were free with the room and on the way down I got to enjoy the Amtrak "Fine Dinning" which I felt was better than 1st class on any airline. It was a pretty cool experience. I got to take my time and watch the states go by. Cars were freezing cold, and the room thermostats were phony. so, bring a light jacket of hoodie. The rest of my family flew down and they were all miserable. Almost got canceled going home. Next time I go out L.A. I'm going to look into Amtrak again. You have to share the rails with the firelight trains and the have the right of way, so your train has to move over and wait for the freight train to pass. Below are som pics.

[Mike C.]

Amtrak roomett, fine dinning car

[Mike C.]

Someware in NC or  SC .Coming home sunrise around VA. Florida is a bogger state than i thought. 

[slusher]

Great picture thanks for sharing!

[Brian K Harrington]

Thank you for sharing these awesome Rock Island Railroad pictures from your family, truly great memories growing up in Rural small town southern Iowa and having Rock Island pass through our town in the late 1970's, most of the engines I remember were the Blue and White paint scheme then

[webestang]

Nice pics. Looks like the thousands we scan at the lab. I would love to have that Mustang II in the 3rd photo! 

[Dave Van]

I do not model the RI/Rock but I do like the look of the locos. So I have a number of models, more than I should maybe.......they are cool!! Thx for sharing the photos

 

[Brian Austin]

I'm a 2-railer, but I wouldn't mind one of these Unique Arts F units.

See listing for lots of clear pictures:

eBay auction

 

I might collect a RI loco or freight car in O Scale since my late mother sparked my family's interest in trains.  She grew up in a small town in IL, and the only excitement came when the Rock Island trains came through.