back in Feb 1972...I was the fireman on # 5,,,,,,,,,,it was the last run of #6.I have the train orders for the last run of a passenger train on the Rock,,,I made a note on the train order that say we were 7 min late into lasalle st station,I have 3 sets of train orders for the Peoria rocket.all I can say the Rock was the best job I ever had
🦅🇺🇲🦅 I grew up in Blue Island Illinois next door to the Switch Yard , And worked as a brakeman during my High School years , during summer vacations ,‼️ Great job , 👍👍👍‼️
I'm from Peoria, the rock island is my favorite railroad. They were gone before my time, the old rock island depot is still here, there rail yard is gone, all that remained was the old roundhouse which was recently tore apart and donated to a museum. I actually seen an old rock island grain car recently in Peoria, faded blue paint with the large R on the side, the date on the car was 1978
I grew up right across the street from the Rock Island train tracks. I watched these very s as me trains go by many times. Thank you for a trip down memory lane.
I remember the real Rock Island glory days. It was a short walk from my house to the corner of 90th and Vincennes where you could watch all the CRI&P varnish come down the grade from the elevated portion out of LaSalle Street, slam across the B&O intersection at 70+, and head for points west. That Chicago enough for ya?
Oak Forest used to have a beautiful almost Victorian train station. I remember waiting for a train and keeping warm near the old pot bellied stove there. They tore that magnificent building down to put up something like a glorified bus stop. What a shame.
The Rock Island in the 1970s had a special hot manifest called the 57, a freight train that had mostly automotive traffic. The RI handed off this train to Union Pacific at Omaha until its last days. Then the CNW picked up the train for several more years on its Chicago to Omaha main while a version of this train traveled up the northwest line to the Twin Cities until the early 1980s.
The passenger service that ran over 40 ten mile per hour slow orders ended when Illinois was convinced it was hopeless. And the 1500 dollar a trip payment for each train was pulled in a budget cut. The trains were late, the seats dirty. One train to Peoria had my favorite coaches on it. From the Minneapolis and Saint Louis. Two them together. I rode it often by it got so bad I changed to Amtrak. Rode the dome too! Many times. Loss of mail and package express in Oct 1967 bankrupted the private rail system from coast to coast. We can thank GM for their leadership getting this done. We got underfunded cut back Amtrak in 1971.
Great video. Thanks. Only have some S-8 movie clips, also 35mm slides of the Rock in St. Paul, c. 1970s. By then the GW, and or/CNW took over most of the Rock's running stock.
Awsome! I saw E-8A #652 and E-6A #630. Both are at Baldwin City, KS and were used by the Midland Ry, but they have been sold and will be leaving as soon as a bridge on the line is repaired.
Hi. My name is Ron B. Rode the Rock many times from Kansas City to Enid Ok. Grew up in the Peoria Illinois area. But had to go to Chillacothie Ill. to catch the Santa Fe to Kansas City then the Rock to Enis Ok. Love riding. Does anyone have a pic of the train station in Enid.
lived 4 miles to the old rock island lines now known as iowa interstate railroad and the repainted one of their locomotives like a rock island locomotive
So is the route to the quad cities basically what the IIAS Iowa interstate runs mainly? I know it goes clear out the council bluffs but when they talk about Chicago to the quad cities I just wonder if it follows the same route once it clears Blue Island down that the Iowa interstate does?
the original rock island was an east...west line from chicago tru iowa...to points west... fed off of that were lines that went north to minnesota...and south to texas....it was expansive!
The late great Rock Island may be gone, but successor Iowa Interstate is proudly carrying on its legacy with the "Rock Island" heritage unit - actually two heritage units - courtesy of its biggest shipper and customer the Maytag Corporation which owns the Rock Island's distinctive logo. BTW, my Dad and I have a washer and dryer from Maytag! How's that for starters?
Maytag has nothing to do with the modern IAIS, infact the folks at Maytag did more than than far share of tiring to make the IAIS go the way of the rock island. Maytag is gone, has been since 2006 after years of making substandard products, having sold out to whirlpool after a poorly executed merger with Amana. Fortunately the IAIS has gotten past the loss of the Maytag traffic and has moved onto more profitable things.
I loved the Golden Rocket scheme on E6 #630. Although I have to ask, toward the beginning, when the Eastbound Quad Cites arrives 'backwards,' why is the freight with the C415 traveling wrong road?
the southern pacific runs the old golden state route through parts of kansas, oklahoma and texas. at least it did. the union pacific took over the southern pacific and i assume they still run the golden state route
The rock island railroad owns chunks of the rock island and leases them out to CSX and IAIS among others. The rock island still exist but its now a land holding company. The SP got vary little of the rock, having acquired the ICG/GM&O line to the Chicago area.
@@lcar4000 The golden state route is indeed owned by union pacific, and it's now one of up's most important lines for hot intermodal and automotive traffic. Only downside is that union pacific must use trackage rights on bnsf's former santa fe from kansas city to chicago.
what??? you dont know about the history of the Rock island...my father and uncle worked here....dont post until you are aware of facts. my father and uncle were taking care of greatly until direct service in late 1979.
@@NishnaValleyRailVideos you know I am tired of hearing the CEO Excuse. how young are you. if you could read Google you would know that the Rock was on its way Back untill Carter Mess things up Again
back in Feb 1972...I was the fireman on # 5,,,,,,,,,,it was the last run of #6.I have the train orders for the last run of a passenger train on the Rock,,,I made a note on the train order that say we were 7 min late into lasalle st station,I have 3 sets of train orders for the Peoria rocket.all I can say the Rock was the best job I ever had
I'm here because the Tyco set I had as a kid was a Rock Island.
Great history right here !!! THE ROCK maybe gone but in our hearts & minds, it will live on forever !!!
@LegoMan66-Agreed Totally !!!
True
Loved this RR. Had a job waiting when I turned 16 but they went under when I was 15.
Did you pursue a career in the rail industry?
never knew there was a rock island company i live right next to the rock island rails
I remember these trains rolling through Morris, Ill as a kid.
🦅🇺🇲🦅 I grew up in Blue Island Illinois next door to the Switch Yard , And worked as a brakeman during my High School years , during summer vacations ,‼️ Great job , 👍👍👍‼️
I'm from Peoria, the rock island is my favorite railroad. They were gone before my time, the old rock island depot is still here, there rail yard is gone, all that remained was the old roundhouse which was recently tore apart and donated to a museum. I actually seen an old rock island grain car recently in Peoria, faded blue paint with the large R on the side, the date on the car was 1978
I grew up right across the street from the Rock Island train tracks. I watched these very s as me trains go by many times. Thank you for a trip down memory lane.
bought the DVD because of this!
I remember the real Rock Island glory days. It was a short walk from my house to the corner of 90th and Vincennes where you could watch all the CRI&P varnish come down the grade from the elevated portion out of LaSalle Street, slam across the B&O intersection at 70+, and head for points west. That Chicago enough for ya?
I just found my carbon copy of my timeslips dated 1976.wow am so happy to find them,and all the jobs I worked.ever engine,I see on this video..I ran,
I always loved riding the train.!!!
Glen Sellers: My dad also used to work for the Rock. He was a Super on the line gang. From 1974-1980.
Good on you Glen!
Man, too bad I wasn’t born at the time. But I have heard good things about the Rock Island Line.
Oak Forest used to have a beautiful almost Victorian train station. I remember waiting for a train and keeping warm near the old pot bellied stove there. They tore that magnificent building down to put up something like a glorified bus stop. What a shame.
typical of most places
People need to appreciate what they have
Imagine if the rock made it into the 2000s
The Rock Island in the 1970s had a special hot manifest called the 57, a freight train that had mostly automotive traffic. The RI handed off this train to Union Pacific at Omaha until its last days. Then the CNW picked up the train for several more years on its Chicago to Omaha main while a version of this train traveled up the northwest line to the Twin Cities until the early 1980s.
The train crews were all friendly. People showed they cared more then. Caring is declining. I hope humanity doesn't self destruct. Looks like it will.
Yeah look at the crews, they seem eager to wave and be friendly, now though you might get a rude glare from a crew.
now in 2024 and from crime- ridden MN, 👀like civilisation 50% in decline, and just whistle 😙 along... 🙉🙈
The passenger service that ran over 40 ten mile per hour slow orders ended when Illinois was convinced it was hopeless. And the 1500 dollar a trip payment for each train was pulled in a budget cut. The trains were late, the seats dirty. One train to Peoria had my favorite coaches on it. From the Minneapolis and Saint Louis. Two them together. I rode it often by it got so bad I changed to Amtrak. Rode the dome too! Many times. Loss of mail and package express in Oct 1967 bankrupted the private rail system from coast to coast. We can thank GM for their leadership getting this done. We got underfunded cut back Amtrak in 1971.
I miss Mars lights and cabooses.
Great video. Thanks. Only have some S-8 movie clips, also 35mm slides of the Rock in St. Paul, c. 1970s. By then the GW, and or/CNW took over most of the Rock's running stock.
Awsome! I saw E-8A #652 and E-6A #630. Both are at Baldwin City, KS and were used by the Midland Ry, but they have been sold and will be leaving as soon as a bridge on the line is repaired.
nice!
I miss mars lights and cabooses.
Hi. My name is Ron B. Rode the Rock many times from Kansas City to Enid Ok. Grew up in the Peoria Illinois area. But had to go to Chillacothie Ill. to catch the Santa Fe to Kansas City then the Rock to Enis Ok. Love riding. Does anyone have a pic of the train station in Enid.
lived 4 miles to the old rock island lines now known as iowa interstate railroad and the repainted one of their locomotives like a rock island locomotive
You mean the 513 Heritage Unit?
what a great video i love it
i love these videos and these old traings just awesome 5/5
So is the route to the quad cities basically what the IIAS Iowa interstate runs mainly?
I know it goes clear out the council bluffs but when they talk about Chicago to the quad cities I just wonder if it follows the same route once it clears Blue Island down that the Iowa interstate does?
the original rock island was an east...west line from chicago tru iowa...to points west... fed off of that were lines that went north to minnesota...and south to texas....it was expansive!
The late great Rock Island may be gone, but successor Iowa Interstate is proudly carrying on its legacy with the "Rock Island" heritage unit - actually two heritage units - courtesy of its biggest shipper and customer the Maytag Corporation which owns the Rock Island's distinctive logo. BTW, my Dad and I have a washer and dryer from Maytag! How's that for starters?
Iowa Interstate now owns the rights to the Rock Island herald. The bankruptcy blue logo is in the public domain.
@@deepspire 516 is their own Anniversary Unit Painted in somewhat RI Colors.
Maytag has nothing to do with the modern IAIS, infact the folks at Maytag did more than than far share of tiring to make the IAIS go the way of the rock island. Maytag is gone, has been since 2006 after years of making substandard products, having sold out to whirlpool after a poorly executed merger with Amana. Fortunately the IAIS has gotten past the loss of the Maytag traffic and has moved onto more profitable things.
Well, I've heard of ALCo locomotives repowered with EMD prime movers, but that 643's the first ALCo-powered EMD I've ever seen. :D ;)
The Silvis ships crew nicknamed that Alco "Christine!"
Actually Burlington Northern bought them out in 1980.
No multiple RRs bought chunks of the Rock (ATSF IAIS CSX Metra IANR ETC)
When I was a kid we chased the MoPac F units through the winding back roads of Osage County, KS.
Does anyone know how fast the freights went?
This was one hell of a railway. It handled everything in the hostile US political climate! Amazing!
I loved the Golden Rocket scheme on E6 #630. Although I have to ask, toward the beginning, when the Eastbound Quad Cites arrives 'backwards,' why is the freight with the C415 traveling wrong road?
Rock island semi trailer parked here in leesburg va for years .white and blue paint scheme im only 32
Where are the #652 and #630 off too...
How many RI GEs had those ditch lights on top of the cab?
Was it true that the Rock Island Golden State route was never got by any railroad, but the Southern Pacific got the rest if The Rock?
the southern pacific runs the old golden state route through parts of kansas, oklahoma and texas. at least it did. the union pacific took over the southern pacific and i assume they still run the golden state route
The rock island railroad owns chunks of the rock island and leases them out to CSX and IAIS among others. The rock island still exist but its now a land holding company. The SP got vary little of the rock, having acquired the ICG/GM&O line to the Chicago area.
@@lcar4000 The golden state route is indeed owned by union pacific, and it's now one of up's most important lines for hot intermodal and automotive traffic. Only downside is that union pacific must use trackage rights on bnsf's former santa fe from kansas city to chicago.
Mark Rickert Yeah the Only part IAIS really owns is the CB to Atlantic region
Isn't this Metra today?
Rail Faner Metra now operates the line along these rails from Chicago to Joliet.
Yes. Even some of the Budd and Pullman gallery cars are still used. Not to mention the heritage unit.
One ugly paint scheme the Rock had until The powder blue.
The rock island owners was to cheap. Not care about there workers. They just wanted the money.
Not really the CEO just dug RI into so much debt there was no turning back
what??? you dont know about the history of the Rock island...my father and uncle worked here....dont post until you are aware of facts. my father and uncle were taking care of greatly until direct service in late 1979.
Fed GOV made the mess
@@dknowles60 you hit the nail on the head and drove it with one whack!!!!!!!
@@NishnaValleyRailVideos you know I am tired of hearing the CEO Excuse. how young are you. if you could read Google you would know that the Rock was on its way Back untill Carter Mess things up Again