Rock Island's train #11, "The Peoria Rocket," departs Chicago on the Bicentennial in 1976. Rock Island was one of a handful of railroads that did not join Amtrak in 1971, forcing them to continue operating their own passenger trains well into the 1970s.
The Rock Island was one of three railroads not to join Amtrak. Its remaining Rocket trains remained in service almost until the railroad became part of history.
