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3/7/2025
 
 
 
 
 
By:Chuck Zeiler
Dates:1/1/1955 - 12/31/1979
Album Info:Photos of the Chicago Rock Island & Pacific, mostly shot in the Chicago area between 1964 and 1979. The Rock Island ran its first train October 10, 1852 and was liquidated March 31, 1980.
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CRI&P E8 654
Title:  CRI&P E8 654
Description:  Rock Island E8 654 at about 16th Street in Chicago, Illinois on an unknown day in July 1978, Ektachrome by Chuck Zeiler.
Photo Date:  7/1/1978  Upload Date: 1/8/2017 7:37:31 PM
Location:  Chicago, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Passenger
Locomotives:  CRIP 654(E8A)
Views:  324   Comments: 1
CRI&P E8 654
Title:  CRI&P E8 654
Description:  CRI&P E8 654, Chicago, Illinois, July 1978, photo by Chuck Zeiler. Number 654 is seen here heading the westbound Quad Cities Rocket (formerly the Des Moines Rocket) past the 16th Street Tower, crossing over the ICG's Saint Charles Airline.
Photo Date:  7/1/1978  Upload Date: 10/10/2009 2:06:30 PM
Location:  Chicago, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Roster,Passenger
Locomotives:  CRIP 654(E8A)
Views:  1157   Comments: 4
CRI&P E8 655
Title:  CRI&P E8 655
Description:  CRI&P E8 655, Saint Paul, Minnesota, February 5, 1966, photo by Chuck Zeiler. This locomotive was built during March 1952 (c/n 15202) on EMD Order 2047A. It is seen here at Saint Paul Union Depot, having cut off its train, the three baggage cars have been removed. I have a shot of this train arriving, and have labeled the slide "Zephyr - Rocket". That being the case, this locomotive brought in the daily Train #15-201-20 from Saint Louis, Missouri. This was a train jointly operated by the Rock Island and the CB&Q between Minneapolis and Saint Louis, with both railroads supplying power and rolling stock. The first run was on January 7, 1941, and it was discontinued on April 8, 1967. The Zephyr - Rocket ran on Rock Island rails between the Twin Cities and Burlington, Iowa (365.6 miles) and on CB&Q rails between Burlington and Saint Louis (221 miles).
Photo Date:  2/5/1966  Upload Date: 10/11/2009 9:59:49 AM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 655(E8A)
Views:  1298   Comments: 1
CRI&P E8 655
Title:  CRI&P E8 655
Description:  CRI&P E8 655, Saint Paul, Minnesota, February 5, 1966, photo by Chuck Zeiler. This is Train 15-201-20, the Zephyr - Rocket, arriving at Saint Paul Union Depot. The switch tender will line the train for a reverse movement into the stub end depot. This train departed daily from Saint Louis, Missouri, at 5:45 PM CST for an overnight run to the Twin Cities as Train 15 on the CB&Q. Upon arrival at Burlington, Iowa at 11:20 PM, it was turned over to the Rock Island, becoming Train 201. I'm not certain where it became Train 20. According to the June 1965 issue of The Official Guide, it spent about 10 minutes at Manly, Iowa, but that might have been for a crew change. It arrived at Saint Paul at 7:55 AM, if it was on time.
Photo Date:  2/5/1966  Upload Date: 10/12/2009 12:40:29 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Roster,Passenger
Locomotives:  CRIP 655(E8A)
Views:  1900   Comments: 0
CRI&P E8 655
Title:  CRI&P E8 655
Description:  CRI&P D8 655, 16th Street, Chicago, Illinois, July 1978, photo by Chuck Zeiler. This is the Quad Cities Rocket, the last passenger train on the Rock Island, not counting the suburban commuter trains. It was dlscontinued December 31, 1978. The first passenger train arrived in the Quad Cities from Chicago on February 22, 1854. Called "The Rock Island Rocket," it was the first train traveling west to ever reach the Mississippi Rivor. The first railroad bridge constructed over the Mississippi River was completed in Rock Island during 1856 allowing for continued rail service to the western United States. The Rock Island provided passenger service to?the Quad Cities for nearly 125 years until 1978. The Quad Cities Rocket is seen here crossing the ICG Saint Charles Air Line at about 16th Street in Chicago, ICG's only direct connection to their entire Iowa Division.
Photo Date:  7/1/1978  Upload Date: 11/21/2009 10:58:13 AM
Location:  Chicago, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 655(E8A)
Views:  811   Comments: 2
CRI&P E8 655
Title:  CRI&P E8 655
Description:  CRI&P E8 655 at Englewood Union Station, Chicago, Illinois, July 1978, Ektachrome by Chuck Zeiler. This is the westbound Quad Cities Rocket passing by the Englewood Union Station at 63rd Street in Chicago. By this date no trains stopped at the station, which once saw both the NYC's 20th Century Limited and the PRR's Broadway Limited (among others), in addition to Rock Island's Rockets and the Nickel Plate passenger trains into Chicago. The PRR crossed the Rock Island here (on this date, Conrail tracks), and the NYC left the Rock Island and passed behind the depot. It was possible at one point to see both trains of the NYC and PRR at this depot, and sometimes they would race each other for several miles eastbound after departing this station, which was torn down in 1982.
Photo Date:  7/1/1978  Upload Date: 10/13/2009 1:44:30 PM
Location:  Englewood, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Roster,Passenger
Locomotives:  CRIP 655(E8A)
Views:  1146   Comments: 2
CRI&P E8 655
Title:  CRI&P E8 655
Description:  CRI&P E8 655 southbound (timetable westbound) at 33rd Street, Chicago, Illinois, August 1978, photo by Chuck Zeiler. Number 655 is seen heading the Quad Cities Rocket past the Armour Institute of Technology building, opened in 1893, and later became part of the Illinois Institute of Technology. Almost every train that left La Salle Street Station past by this building, including NYC's 20th Century Limited. The Quad Cities Rocket was discontinued December 31, 1978.
Photo Date:  8/1/1978  Upload Date: 10/13/2009 12:05:25 PM
Location:  Chicago, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Roster,Passenger
Locomotives:  CRIP 655(E8A)
Views:  969   Comments: 3
CRI&P E8 656
Title:  CRI&P E8 656
Description:  CRI&P E8 656 at Eola, Illinois on October 11, 1964, Kodachrome by Cjuck Zeiler. This is the remains of Rock Island's E8 number 656, struck at about 52 mph by CB&Q's Train Number 3 at Montgomery, Illinois on September 27, 1964. The Rock Island train (combined CRI&P Trains 4 and 10, with 656 leading) was detouring over the CB&Q as a result of a bridge problem on their tracks into Chicago, and was waiting for the CB&Q train to clear. A hand written note was attached to the indicator board in the tower at Montgomery advising the operator of an issue with the switch machine and indicator lights, but it was still possible to set up a clear indication of signals, which were (at the time) not interlocked to the switch machine itself. At the time, Montgomery Tower was mechanically-controled interlocking (via pipes) with separate levers for the signal displays. The remains of the accident were shoved into a track at CB&Q's Eola Reclamation Plant for a couple of weeks while the investigation took place.
Photo Date:  10/11/1964  Upload Date: 3/26/2012 12:25:44 PM
Location:  Eola, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Wreck
Locomotives:  CRIP 656(E8A)
Views:  1921   Comments: 1
CRI&P E8 656
Title:  CRI&P E8 656
Description:  Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railroad E8 656 at Eola, Illinois on October 11, 1964, Ektachrome by Chuck Zeiler. This is the remains of Rock Island's E8 number 656, built in June 1940 as E6 627 (c/n 1063) on EMD Order E305A. It was returned to EMD for wreck/rebuild to E8 656 during December 1953 (EMD Order 8028A). It was the lead locomotive on a detouring Rock Island train which was holding at Montgomery, Illinois on September 27, 1964, when CB&Q Train #3 was mistakenly routed into the standing Rock Island train, causing this unit to leap up over the lead CB&Q E7 9920A on impact at approximately 52 mph. Marty Bernard's recollections of this incident at this address: http://railfan44.blogspot.com/2014/01/major-passenger-train-wreck-montgomery.html
Photo Date:  10/11/1964  Upload Date: 10/14/2009 12:15:13 PM
Location:  Eola, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Wreck
Locomotives:  CRIP 656(E8A)
Views:  2140   Comments: 3
CRI&P E8 657
Title:  CRI&P E8 657
Description:  CRI&P E8 657, Blue Island, Illinois, October 1979, photo by Chuck Zeiler. The Rock Island is all but shut down, and some of the locomotives not used by the Kansas City Terminal (the directed operator of the railroad) were stored at Blue Island. Here is E8 657, built as C&NW E7A 5007B in March 1945 (c/n 1966) on EMD Order E536, wrecked on the UP September 1951 at Wyuta, Utah, purchased by the UP and sent to EMD and rebuilt into UP E8 925 on EMD Order 8012. It was sold to the Rock Island in August 1969.
Photo Date:  10/1/1979  Upload Date: 10/14/2009 5:05:17 PM
Location:  Blue Island, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 657(E8A)
Views:  1330   Comments: 2
CRI&P E8 660
Title:  CRI&P E8 660
Description:  CRI&P E8 660, a little south of 47th Street, Chicago, Illinois, May 1979, photo by Chuck Zeiler. Built as UP E8 937 in April 1953 (c/n 17789) on EMD Order 2052A, it was sold to the Rock Island in May 1969, becoming #660. It is seen in a line of dead E-units just south of the Rocket House, having finished its career as suburban service power, and recently replaced by F40PH's bought by the Regional Transit Authority, which took over the Rock Island's suburban operations.
Photo Date:  5/1/1979  Upload Date: 10/15/2009 10:29:45 AM
Location:  Chicago, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 660(E8A)
Views:  953   Comments: 4
CRI&P E9 664
Title:  CRI&P E9 664
Description:  Rock Island E9 664 a little south of 47th Street in Chicago, Illinois on an unknown day in May 1979, Kodachrome by Chuck Zeiler. This locomotive was built as UP 903 in February 1956 ( c/n 21264 ) on EMD Order 7524 and was sold to the Rock Island August 1969. It is seen here in a dead line outside the Rocket House, having been replaced by F40PH's. Somewhere it lost its pilot.
Photo Date:  5/1/1979  Upload Date: 10/16/2009 12:28:35 PM
Location:  Chicago, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 664(E9A)
Views:  751   Comments: 1
CRI&P F7 677
Title:  CRI&P F7 677
Description:  CRI&P F7 677 at La Salle Street Station, Chicago, Illinois, October 31, 1965, photo by Chuck Zeiler
Photo Date:  10/31/1965  Upload Date: 10/16/2009 1:05:35 PM
Location:  Chicago, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Roster,Station,Passenger
Locomotives:  CRIP 677(F7A)
Views:  1145   Comments: 1
Rock Island NW1 701
Title:  Rock Island NW1 701
Description:  Rock Island NW1 701 at Blue Island, Illinois, on an unknown day in May 1943, photograph by Jack Delano, Library of Congress collection. Number 701 was built in March 1938 ( c/n 780 ), re-powered at an unknown date ( between 1957 - 1962 ) by the Rock Island with Alco Model 244 prime mover removed from an EMD re-powered Alco road switcher. The photo was captioned as follows: Switchman riding the footboard of a diesel switch engine on the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad.
Photo Date:  5/1/1943  Upload Date: 2/10/2018 11:26:39 PM
Location:  Blue Island, IL
Author:  Jack Delano
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 701(NW1)
Views:  445   Comments: 0
CRI&P RS1 739
Title:  CRI&P RS1 739
Description:  CRI&P RS1 739, Des Moines, Iowa, August 1965, photographer unknown, Chuck Zeiler collection. This locomotive was built in February 1944 (c/n 71316). In the late 1930's, at the request of the Rock Island, Alco stretched the 539T switcher frame by 8 ft. 6 in. to enable a short hood to be added behind the cab to provide space for a steam generator. Alco is generally credited with introducing the first true road switcher in 1941. Over the RS1's 19 years of production (1941-1960), 611 units were produced, 412 domestic, 144 for the US Army, and 55 exports. Alco managed to produce 13 RS1's before the War Production Board (WPB) placed restrictions on all domestic locomotive builders, and Alco was restricted to locomotives of 1000 horsepower or less. Since the RS1 fell into that category, Alco was allowed to continue production, but the 13 already produced locomotives were requisitioned by the WPB (including Rock Island's four units, #'s 746-749) , the trucks were changed to a C-C three axle three motor truck designed by Jerry Blunt to cope with the rough track on their intended assignment, the Trans Iranian Railway. The EMD FT was considered for this project, but the Navy had first priority on EMD diesel prime movers, so the FT was not available in the timeframe needed. A total of 57 C-C RS1's were built by Alco for the Army and sent to Iran, but because the Mediterranean was closed off by German submarines, the RS1's sailed around Cape of Good Hope into the Indian Ocean and then to the Persian Gulf. Alco also produced an additional 100 RS1's for the WPB for use in Russia, the first 70 were built to a wide 5 foot gauge. The first 12 ended up at the bottom of the ocean; the ship carrying them was torpedoed by the Germans. The rest were well received by the Russians, so much so that they were "reverse engineered", and the Russians produced hundreds of TE, TE1, and TE2 class locomotives.
Photo Date:  8/1/1965  Upload Date: 10/19/2009 1:59:46 PM
Location:  Des Moines, IA
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 739(RS1)
Views:  1562   Comments: 2
CRI&P AB6 750
Title:  CRI&P AB6 750
Description:  Rock Island AB6 750 at 47th Street in Chicago, Illinois on March 28, 1965, Ektachrome by Chuck Zeiler. Built in June 1940 ( c/n 1066 ) on EMC Order E306B, it was sold for scrap to Joliet Railway Equipment during January 1974.
Photo Date:  3/28/1965  Upload Date: 6/10/2017 6:54:34 PM
Location:  Chicago, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Yard
Locomotives:  CRIP 750(AB6)
Views:  719   Comments: 0
CRI&P AB6 750
Title:  CRI&P AB6 750
Description:  CRI&P AB6 750, 47th Street, Chicago, Illinois, March 28, 1965, photo by Chuck Zeiler. Built in June 1940 (c/n 1066) on EMC Order E306B, it was sold for scrap to Joliet Railway Equipment during January 1974. As originally built, it had a single 12-567 prime mover and a baggage section where the second prime mover would be. The concept was to run this locomotive (with an E6A leading) on the Rocky Mountain Rocket from Chicago to Limon, Colorado, where the train was broken into two sections, one going to Denver, and the AB6 would power the other section to Colorado Springs. Although two A-units could have sufficed, at the time Rock Island's management was concerned about the aesthetics of the train. One prime mover proved insufficient as the passenger load increased, and this unit and 751 (another AB6) were returned to EMD for installation of a second prime mover, making them E6B's with a cab. Sometime during 1965, both AB6's exchanged their steam generators for HEP power plants and were assigned to commuter service.
Photo Date:  3/28/1965  Upload Date: 9/7/2010 12:23:24 PM
Location:  Chicago, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 750(AB6)
Views:  1959   Comments: 0
CRI&P AB6 750
Title:  CRI&P AB6 750
Description:  CRI&P AB6 750 at 47th Street, Chicago, Illinois, June 13, 1965, photo by Chuck Zeiler. Built in June 1940 (c/n 1066) on EMC Order E306B, it was powered by a single 12-567 prime mover and a baggage door where the door over the fuel tank is located. Later a second prime mover was added. I cannot find the exact date, but photos shot in 1957 show a second prime mover and no baggage door. Sometime during 1965, the steam generator was replaced by a HEP power plant, and the unit was assigned to suburban service. It was sold for scrap to Joliet Railway Equipment during January 1974.
Photo Date:  6/13/1965  Upload Date: 10/28/2009 10:47:34 AM
Location:  Chicago, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 750(AB6)
Views:  1172   Comments: 1
CRI&P S12 759
Title:  CRI&P S12 759
Description:  CRI&P S12 759 at 47th Street, Chicago, Illinois, March 28, 1965, photo by Chuck Zeiler. Built in 1953 as Baldwin-Lima-Hamilton demonstrator 1201 (c/n 75936), this locomotive was built in the the middle of S12 production, which began in June 1950. In an attempt to turn around declining switcher sales, BLH built two S12 demonstrators and sent them to the DM&IR, but no sale came from the Missabe Road. In July 1953, both demonstrators were sold to the Rock Island, becoming CRI&P 758 and 759. The S12 production ended in August 1956, with a total of 452 units built in six years.
Photo Date:  3/28/1965  Upload Date: 10/21/2009 1:59:43 PM
Location:  Chicago, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 759(S12)
Views:  1372   Comments: 0
CRI&P NW2 771
Title:  CRI&P NW2 771
Description:  CRI&P NW2 771, Blue Island, Illinois, October 1979, photo by Chuck Zeiler. This is the Rock Island's roundhouse at Blue Island, patched and falling apart. In August 1979 the Brotherhood of Railway and Airline Clerks walked out on strike over back wages, leaving the suburban service in the hands of Metra, and the freight service operated by the Kansas City Terminal, as directed by the court. Locomotive 771 was built in January 1949 (c/n 6130) on EMD Order E973, and became RSS 771 sometime in 1981.
Photo Date:  10/1/1979  Upload Date: 10/22/2009 11:16:16 AM
Location:  Blue Island, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 771(NW2)
Views:  906   Comments: 1
CRI&P SW9 775
Title:  CRI&P SW9 775
Description:  CRI&P SW9 775 at 47th Street in Chicago, Illinois on June 13, 1965, Kodachrome by Chuck Zeiler. This locomotive was built in November 1953 ( c/n 18731 ) on EMD Order 4238.
Photo Date:  6/13/1965  Upload Date: 10/23/2009 10:27:57 AM
Location:  Chicago, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 775(SW9)
Views:  888   Comments: 1
CRI&P SW9 776
Title:  CRI&P SW9 776
Description:  CRI&P SW9 776 outside the Rocket House at 47th Street, Chicago, Illinois, June 13, 1965, photo by Chuck Zeiler. This locomotive was built during November, 1953 (c/n 18732) on EMD Order 4238. It appears to have had some recent work, judging by the clean trucks and fresh paint on the air reservoir.
Photo Date:  6/13/1965  Upload Date: 10/23/2009 11:20:23 AM
Location:  Chicago, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 776(SW9)
Views:  812   Comments: 2
CRI&P SW9 776
Title:  CRI&P SW9 776
Description:  CRI&P SW9 776 outside the Rocket House at 47th Street, Chicago, Illinois, June 13, 1965, photo by Chuck Zeiler. This locomotive was built during November, 1953 (c/n 18732) on EMD Order 4238. It appears to have had some recent work, judging by the clean trucks and fresh paint on the air reservoir.
Photo Date:  6/13/1965  Upload Date: 9/7/2010 11:21:23 AM
Location:  Chicago, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 776(SW9)
Views:  635   Comments: 0
CRI&P SW8 818
Title:  CRI&P SW8 818
Description:  CRI&P SW8 818 at Joliet, Illinois on May 16, 1959, photographer unknown, Chuck Zeiler collection. This locomotive was built during June 1952 (c/n 16613) on EMD Order 4157. In the lower left corner of the cab it is stencilled: S59
Photo Date:  5/16/1959  Upload Date: 10/23/2009 12:36:28 PM
Location:  Joliet, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 818(SW8)
Views:  1284   Comments: 2
CRI&P GP7 1200
Title:  CRI&P GP7 1200
Description:  CRI&P GP7 1200, Lincoln, Nebraska, July 1963, photo by Dick Rumbolz,&Chuck Zeiler collection. This locomotive was built in June 1951 (c/n 14396) on EMD Order 6273, was rebuilt to GP7R 4431, and sometime during 1981 became C&NW 4106.
Photo Date:  7/1/1963  Upload Date: 10/28/2009 5:03:27 PM
Location:  Lincoln, NE
Author:  Dick Rumbolz
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 1200(GP7)
Views:  2408   Comments: 3
CRI&P GP7 1254
Title:  CRI&P GP7 1254
Description:  CRI&P GP7 12547 Lincoln, Nebraska, October 1963, photo by Dick Rumbolz, Chuck Zeiler collection. Built in July 1952 (c/n 16463) on EMD Order 5136, it was rebuilt to GP7R 4526 anh during 1981 it became C&NW 4180. Even at this date it appears to have seen some minor rebuilding. The fuel tank appears to be a non-standard shape.
Photo Date:  10/1/1963  Upload Date: 10/29/2009 12:50:39 PM
Location:  Lincoln, NE
Author:  Dick Rumbolz
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 1254(GP7)
Views:  1631   Comments: 2
CRI&P GP7R 1275
Title:  CRI&P GP7R 1275
Description:  CRI&P GP7R 1275, Silvis, Illinois, 8:20 AM, October 27, 1975, photo by J. H. Nixon, Chuck Zeiler collection. This locomotive was built in November 1952 (c/n 17606) on EMD Order 5155. It appears to have been rebuilt, and has acquired what looks like a standard issue EMD GP20 low nose. I'm sure there is more to the story of this rebuild, and I will attempt to find out what happened.

Update, I received the following information from rrboomer: "The cab and short hood were badly damaged, when the crew ran into a cut of cars at Marseilles, IL during a back up move. Head brakeman instead of jumping went up into the cab to operate the left side emergency brake valve and was killed. Happened in 1965 IIRC. It is a GP20 cab and short hood kit that Silvis Shops used. GP9 1321 got the same treatment at El Reno, I don't know the details of that one."
Photo Date:  10/27/1975  Upload Date: 11/1/2009 10:51:12 AM
Location:  Silvis, IL
Author:  J. H. Nixon
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 1275(GP7)
Views:  3272   Comments: 3
CRI&P GP7 1278
Title:  CRI&P GP7 1278
Description:  CRI&P GP7 1278, Burr Oak Yard, Blue Island, Illinois, May, 1976, photo by Steve Downey, Chuck Zeiler collection. Built in November 1952 (c/n 17609) on EMD Order 5155, it was rebuilt to GP7R 4539 and during 1981 became C&NW 4193. It appears the RI did not have a good handle on cooling system maintenance.
Photo Date:  5/1/1976  Upload Date: 11/3/2009 8:59:23 AM
Location:  Blue Island, IL
Author:  Steve Downey
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 1278(GP7)
Views:  865   Comments: 0
CRI&P GP7 1295
Title:  CRI&P GP7 1295
Description:  CRI&P GP7 1295, Lincoln, Nebraska, July 1963, photo by Dick Rumbolz, Chuck Zeiler collection. Built in October 1953 (c/n 18727) on EMD Order 5156, it was rebuilt to GP7R 4463 and sometime during 1981 it became C&NW 4138. The second unit in this photo is number 1299 and both the 1295 and 1299 are equipped with steam generators, which forced the air reservoir tanks to the roof. For the record, the last unit is GP7 #1284.
Photo Date:  7/1/1963  Upload Date: 11/3/2009 2:57:31 PM
Location:  Lincoln, NE
Author:  Dick Rumbolz
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 1295(GP7)
Views:  1414   Comments: 1
CRI&P GP9 1331
Title:  CRI&P GP9 1331
Description:  CRI&P GP9 1331, Silvis, Illinois, June 16, 1983, photo by Jim Altman, Chuck Zeiler collection. Built in April 1959 (c/n 25344) on EMD Order 8060, it used components from FTB 97B. It appears they had some difficulty getting the letter O to line up, I'm sure there is a story to go with that.
Photo Date:  6/16/1983  Upload Date: 11/4/2009 10:41:27 AM
Location:  Silvis, IL
Author:  Jim Altman
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 1331(GP9R)
Views:  1538   Comments: 1
CRI&P GP18 1335
Title:  CRI&P GP18 1335
Description:  CRI&P GP18 1335, Des Moines, Iowa, July 16, 1978, photo by Gib Allbach, Chuck Zeiler collection. The Rock Island had 21 GP-18's, numbered 1333-1353, this one was built during January 1960 (c/n 25452) on EMD Order 5605. I'm not sure of its disposition after the Rock Island shut down.
Photo Date:  7/16/1978  Upload Date: 11/5/2009 11:35:01 AM
Location:  Des Moines, IA
Author:  Gib Allbach
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 1335(GP18)
Views:  1171   Comments: 1
CRI&P GP18 1335
Title:  CRI&P GP18 1335
Description:  CRI&P GP18 1335 at Silvis, Illinois on June 5, 1984, Kodachrome by Jim Altman, Chuck Zeiler collection. Built in January 1960 (c/n 25452) on EMD Order 5605. Thanks to Tim Steeves (comment below) for the update, we now know it was scrapped (there was conflicting information).
Photo Date:  6/5/1984  Upload Date: 11/4/2009 12:03:55 PM
Location:  Silvis, IL
Author:  Jim Altman
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 1335(GP18)
Views:  1161   Comments: 2
CRI&P GP18 1341
Title:  CRI&P GP18 1341
Description:  CRI&P GP18 1341, Denver, Colorado, August 26, 1965, photo by Chuck Zeiler. This locomotive was built in February 1960 (c/n 25458) on EMD Order 5605, and eventually became NEGS 503.
Photo Date:  8/26/1965  Upload Date: 11/5/2009 12:41:47 PM
Location:  Denver, CO
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 1341(GP18)
Views:  1140   Comments: 2
CRI&P GP18 1341
Title:  CRI&P GP18 1341
Description:  CRI&P GP18 1341 at Denver, Colorado on August 26, 1965, Kodachrome by Chuck Zeiler.
Photo Date:  8/26/1965  Upload Date: 3/26/2012 10:31:14 AM
Location:  Denver, CO
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 1341(GP18)
Views:  903   Comments: 0
CRI&P GP7 1502
Title:  CRI&P GP7 1502
Description:  CRI&P GP7 1502, Blue Island, Illinois, September 8, 1984, photo by Chuck Zeiler. Built in June 1952 for the P&LE as 5724 (c/n 16351) on EMD Order 6369, it was later renumbered P&LE 1513, then sold to MGA becoming 1502, leased to NCTR as 1502, leased to the Rock Island Trustees as 1502, further disposition unknown. By the date of this photo, the Rock Island had been shut down for about four years. Based on the letter F stencilled on the frame, this is the Front of the locomotive.
Photo Date:  9/8/1984  Upload Date: 11/6/2009 11:20:23 AM
Location:  Blue Island, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 1502(GP7)
Views:  777   Comments: 2
CRI&P GP7 1502
Title:  CRI&P GP7 1502
Description:  CRI&P GP7 1502, Blue Island, Illinois, September 8, 1984, photo by Chuck Zeiler. Built in June 1952 for the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie (a subsidiary of the New York Central System) as 5724 (c/n 16351) on EMD Order 6369, it was later renumbered P&LE 1513, then either sold or leased to Monongahala Railway (MGA, a joint venture of the PRR and the P&LE) becoming 1502, later leased to North Central Texas Railroad (NCTR, incorporated on May 29, 1980, as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad Company to acquire part of the Mid-Continent Route of the former Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad Company) as 1502, leased to the Rock Island Trustees as 1502, further disposition unknown. By the date of this photo, the Rock Island had been shut down for about four years. Based on the number 2 stencilled on this end of the frame, and the letter F stencilled on the other end, this is the rear of the locomotive, which is consistent with NYC practice.
Photo Date:  9/8/1984  Upload Date: 11/7/2009 9:34:42 AM
Location:  Blue Island, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 1502(GP7)
Views:  1009   Comments: 1
CRI&P 1820
Title:  CRI&P 1820
Description:  Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Instruction Car 1820 at Council Bluffs, Iowa on October 3, 1964, Kodachrome by Lou Schmitz, Chuck Zeiler collection. The car was lettered INSTRUCTION CAR, but was once lettered LOCOMOTIVE INSTRUCTION CAR. This car was built October 31, 1925, Lot 4885 Plan 3951 ( ungraded to Plan 3951L on May 12, 1931) and named National Road. It was lettered for the National Limited until May 5, 1938 at which time the lettering was removed. In June 1944 it was set aside at B&O's Chicago yards for use as upholstery and paint shop, and foreman's office. On May 20, 1947 it was sold to General Motors, painted blue-green, lettered G.M.C. Office Car, and used on GM's Train of Tomorrow as an office car.

Todd Schannuth adds: This was the Blue Goose that traveled with the GM Train of Tomorrow in 1947-1949. The Train of Tomorrow needed a support car, and that duty fell to an old-style heavyweight car. The car was former B&O combine NATIONAL ROAD, built in 1925 to plan 3951 in lot 4885 by Pullman-Standard as a club-buffet-baggage. For the Train of Tomorrow, the seating section was removed to create dormitory space for the Pullman porters who traveled with the train. The car was initially painted completely blue-green like the rest of the train, save for a small bit of silver on the rear roof. The 'metal' fluting applied to the car to match the rest of the train was actually just paint. The car usually moved ahead of the Train of Tomorrow on other scheduled passenger trains. When this was not possible, the car was put directly behind the Train of Tomorrow locomotive. For many months the nickname Blue Goose was unofficial. Before the car got a full Train of Tomorrow makeover to match the rest of the train, the car was simply lettered G.M.C Office Car. It later received BLUE GOOSE lettering in the same style as the rest of the cars. Blue Goose also carried the ramps needed at each display site. Later, the car was used by EMD as a mobile Diesel Locomotive Training Center, then to Rock Island as Instruction Car 1820. The car MAY reside today in Rocky River, Ohio. See also: http://themetrains.com/gm-train-of-tomorrow-roster.htm

Photo Date:  10/3/1964  Upload Date: 5/27/2013 2:46:43 PM
Location:  Council Bluffs, IA
Author:  Lou Schmitz
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard
Locomotives: 
Views:  1834   Comments: 1
CRI&P Coach 2552
Title:  CRI&P Coach 2552
Description:  CRI&P Coach 5552 at about 16th Street in Chicago, Illinois on an unknown day in July 1978, Ektachrome by Chuck Zeiler. The rails in the foreground divert to the Saint Charlep Air Line.
Photo Date:  7/1/1978  Upload Date: 3/26/2012 1:20:20 PM
Location:  Chicago, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  709   Comments: 1
CRI&P 2608
Title:  CRI&P 2608
Description:  ex-Chicago Rock Island & Pacific 2608 at Minneapolis, Minnesota on May 23, 1984, Kodachrome by Chuck Zeiler.
Photo Date:  5/23/1984  Upload Date: 2/15/2019 10:53:42 PM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  240   Comments: 0
CRI&P C415 415
Title:  CRI&P C415 415
Description:  CRI&P C415 415, 47th Street, Chicago, Illinois, June 1978, photo by Chuck Zeiler. Number 415 was built in September 1966 (c/n 3451-01),and owned by Railcar Leasing Corporation, which owned units 415-419. Units 420-424 were owned by the UP. All were returned to the lessors when the Rock Island shut down in 1980.
Photo Date:  6/1/1978  Upload Date: 9/20/2009 8:13:05 AM
Location:  Chicago, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 415(C415)
Views:  1463   Comments: 1
CRI&P F9M 4151
Title:  CRI&P F9M 4151
Description:  CRI&P F9M 4151, Howe, Oklahoma, sometime in 1976, Kodachrome by Steve Laser, Chuck Zeiler collection. Built in October 1947 as UP F3 1406A (c/n 4611) on EMD Order E818A, later renumbered 1406, and later still renumbered 1517. It was rebuilt by EMD in May 1958 to UP F9M 507, retaining most of its F3 carbody (note, however, the F9 style vertical intake louvers). It was sold to the Rock Island in February 1972, becoming 4151, and traded to EMD in July 1976.
Photo Date:  1/1/1976  Upload Date: 11/6/2009 2:14:10 PM
Location:  Howe, OK
Author:  Steve Laser
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 4151(F9AM)
Views:  1142   Comments: 2
CRI&P F9M 4152
Title:  CRI&P F9M 4152
Description:  CRI&P F9M 4152 at Howe, Lklahoma, sometime in 1976, Kodachrome by Steve Laser, Chuck Zeiler collection. Built in December 1948 as UP F3 1559 (c/n!6724) on EMD Order E939A, it was rebuilt by EMD to F9A 513 during July 1958, sold to the Rock Island during February 1972, becoming 4152.
Photo Date:  1/1/1976  Upload Date: 11/8/2009 10:37:28 AM
Location:  Howe, OK
Author:  Steve Laser
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 4152(F9AM)
Views:  1117   Comments: 2
CRI&P F9M 4164
Title:  CRI&P F9M 4164
Description:  Rock Island F9M 4164 sometime in 1976 in eastern Oklahoma, Ektachrome by Steve Laser, Chuck Zeiler collection. This is a slide I acquired in trade, there were no markings on the slide mount. The only locomotive I can identify for sure is the trailing unit. Number 4164 was built in January 1948 as UP F3 1415A ( c/n 4620 ) on EMD Order E818A. It was renumbered to 1415, then renumbered again to 1517. During January 1959 it was rebuilt by EMD to F9M 534, retaining most of the F3 carbody features, sold to the Rock Island in February 1972, becoming 4164, and was traded to EMD in mid-1976. Paul L. Strang notes that F7 124 was leading.
Photo Date:  1/1/1976  Upload Date: 11/9/2009 8:58:35 AM
Location:  Unknown, US
Author:  Steve Laser
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 4164(F9AM) CRIP 124(F7A)
Views:  1153   Comments: 2
CRI&P F9M 4168
Title:  CRI&P F9M 4168
Description:  CRI&P F9M 4168, Howe, Oklahoma, December 28, 1974, photo by Paul L. Strang, Chuck Zeiler collection. Built in January 1948 as UP F3 1412A (c/n 4617) on EMD Order E818A, it was renumbered to 1412, then renumbered to 1519. During September 1958, it was rebuilt by EMD to F9M 539, retaining most the the F3 carbody features, but now sporting F9 type intake louvers. During February 1972 it was sold to the Rock Island, becoming 4168, traded to EMD finally in mid-1976. According to Utahrails.net, "Nineteen units were sold to CRI&P in 1972 in trade for a like number of former CRI&P units that UP sent to EMD as trade-in for its 1972 order of SD40-2's."
Photo Date:  12/28/1974  Upload Date: 11/9/2009 10:15:52 AM
Location:  Howe, OK
Author:  Paul L. Strang
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 4168(F9AM)
Views:  1177   Comments: 1
CRI&P F9M 4168
Title:  CRI&P F9M 4168
Description:  Rock Island F9M 4168 sometime in 1976 at McAlester, Oklahoma, 35mm slide by Steve Laser, Chuck Zeiler collection. This locomotive was built in January 1948 as UP F3 1412A ( c/n 4617 ) on EMD Order E818A. It was renumbered to 1412, later renumbered to 1519. During September 1958 it was rebuilt by EMD to F9M 539, retaining most of its F3 carbody features. During February 1972, this unit and 18 other rebuilt F3A's were sold to the Rock Island, and the RI send a like number of their units to EMD for trade-in credit on UP's order of SD40-2's. The Rock also acquired 12 F9M B-units in a like sale/trade at the same time. This particular unit sports a UP-made snowplow for duties in the Pacific Northwest. Number 4168 was traded to EMD in mid-1976.
Photo Date:  1/1/1976  Upload Date: 11/10/2009 1:12:48 PM
Location:  McAlester, OK
Author:  Steve Laser
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 4168(F9AM)
Views:  957   Comments: 2
CRI&P 4236
Title:  CRI&P 4236
Description:  Rock Island 4236, a former World War II troop sleeper, at Blue Island, Illinois on an unknown day in July 1982, Ektachrome by Chuck Zeiler.
Photo Date:  7/1/1982  Upload Date: 11/22/2013 2:27:37 PM
Location:  Blue Island, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Yard
Locomotives: 
Views:  580   Comments: 0
CRI&P 4236
Title:  CRI&P 4236
Description:  Rock Island 4236, a former World War II troop sleeper, at Blue Island, Illinois on an unknown day in July 1982, Ektachrome by Chuck Zeiler.
Photo Date:  7/1/1982  Upload Date: 11/23/2013 1:47:50 PM
Location:  Blue Island, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Yard
Locomotives: 
Views:  529   Comments: 0
CRI&P 4244
Title:  CRI&P 4244
Description:  Rock Island 4244, a former World War II troop sleeper, at Blue Island, Illinois on an unknown day in July 1982, Ektachrome by Chuck Zeiler.
Photo Date:  7/1/1982  Upload Date: 11/21/2013 12:44:18 PM
Location:  Blue Island, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  389   Comments: 0
CRI&P GP38-2 4317
Title:  CRI&P GP38-2 4317
Description:  CRI&P GP38-2 4317, Blue Island, Illinois, October 1979, photo by Chuck Zeiler. By the date of this photo, the Rock Island's freight was being moved by crews of the Kansas City Terminal, under a court directed order. The Rock had been struck by employees over back wages in August, and the future of the railroad was in the hands of the bankruptcy courts. As early as 1963 the UP and RI proposed a merger, which produced suits and countersuits as competitors attempted to prevent the UP from direct access to the Chicago market. A couple weeks later, the C&NW proposed its own merger plan with the RI (and the Milwaukee Road), but let that plan lapse in 1966. Meanwhile, the Rock Island's physical plant began to deteriorate because of deferred maintenance, and by 1974, when the UP-RI merger plan was approved by the ICC, the UP withdrew, in part based on the conditions imposed by the ICC as a result of protests by competing railroads, no doubt the deferred maintenance was also a factor. By 1975, the RI declared bankruptcy, the physical plant continued to deteriorate, and by the date of this photo, trains were barely moving. Thip photo shows the condition of the yard at Blue Island in October 1979, a few months before the Rock Island Railroad was dissolved by the courts on March 31, 1980.
Photo Date:  10/1/1979  Upload Date: 11/12/2009 10:21:00 AM
Location:  Blue Island, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Yard
Locomotives:  CRIP 4317(GP38-2)
Views:  1063   Comments: 1
CRI&P GP38-2 4317
Title:  CRI&P GP38-2 4317
Description:  CRI&P GP38-2 4317, Blue Island, Illinois, October 1979, photo by Chuck Zeiler. Built in October 1976 (c/n 757136-3), later becoming MP 2255, then UP 2255, then UP 755, then GMTX 2127. This particular locomotive was named, "Charles O. Laverty", a supporter of the Rock Island in its waning years. He was a Rock Island shipper, owner and operator of large grain elevator (Laverty Elevator) in Indianola, Iowa. Most (but not all) of the GP38-2's were named for cities, politicians, and customers of the Rock Island who were supportive Rock Island's efforts to survive.
Photo Date:  10/1/1979  Upload Date: 11/11/2009 9:35:35 AM
Location:  Blue Island, IL
Author:  Chuck Zeiler
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CRIP 4317(GP38-2)
Views:  919   Comments: 1


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