I remember in TRAINS magazine the contest to design the Rocks Bicentennial Unit. The '68 Thunderbird at 1:49 looks like my Grandpas. Ah, if he only would have given it to me....429 and it flew! I got to chase Metra RI heritage unit a coupla falls ago. It looks nice!
Roger did an excellent job with this footage. The Rock could have lasted longer if management didn't ignore maintenance. They could have afforded it in the 60's, but they chose not to all because of a planned merger with the Union Pacific.
Any Green Frog footage of the Quad Cities (not the train, but the metro area)? I operate the Government Bridge and would love to see vintage video footage of Rock Island activity on it, plus anything else related to my area.
I have used them Fiat railcars in Italy and they are fine. The issue with them in the USA is the trackbed was terrible compared to European standards. There was nothing wrong with these units.
Why would they join? Illinois paid them 1500 dollars a trip. Break even money in those days. The Rock wanted profits. The Rockets were most of the time 10mph trains hours late at the end .
Yeah, if you wanted to ride it, you had to get your ticket at the station. What what a terrible thing. You should have been able to hop on it anywhere and not be bullied by The Man.
love it!
I remember in TRAINS magazine the contest to design the Rocks Bicentennial Unit. The '68 Thunderbird at 1:49 looks like my Grandpas. Ah, if he only would have given it to me....429 and it flew! I got to chase Metra RI heritage unit a coupla falls ago. It looks nice!
That gigantic white star on the Bicentennial Unit's nose looks like Paul Stanley of the band Kiss had a side business of railroad paint job design.
@@raymondpaller6475 Ya know, it sure does!
Blue Island was the station at which we caught the Rock Island for trips downtown.
Good stuff
Nothing like steam operated equipment...always looks great in cold weather throughout the train.
Nice video, like !
Roger did an excellent job with this footage. The Rock could have lasted longer if management didn't ignore maintenance. They could have afforded it in the 60's, but they chose not to all because of a planned merger with the Union Pacific.
The ICC stalled the proposed merger so long that UP gave up on it.
Any Green Frog footage of the Quad Cities (not the train, but the metro area)? I operate the Government Bridge and would love to see vintage video footage of Rock Island activity on it, plus anything else related to my area.
I have used them Fiat railcars in Italy and they are fine. The issue with them in the USA is the trackbed was terrible compared to European standards. There was nothing wrong with these units.
@@CharlieMoney777 there were hundreds of there working fine in Italy for decades so hardly failed.
@@CharlieMoney777 🤔 That's "FAIT".😆
What were those coaches on the Peoria train? They have what look like galley doors at one end, and car names.
Why would they join? Illinois paid them 1500 dollars a trip. Break even money in those days. The Rock wanted profits. The Rockets were most of the time 10mph trains hours late at the end .
"The Rock Island is a mighty fine line"
(it really wasn't)
Yeah, if you wanted to ride it, you had to get your ticket at the station. What what a terrible thing. You should have been able to hop on it anywhere and not be bullied by The Man.
The most of the time 10mph Rocket running hours late. Didn't join Amtrak cause Illinois paid them 1500 a trip to run the train!