OKLAHOMA CITY July 1977 -- Rock Island GP38-2 4318 (David L. Boren) passes by the Oklahoma State Fair grounds on its way to El Reno OK.

You never knew what you might encounter at Rio Grande’s North Yard in the mid- to late-60s. The Grande’s own roster was unexciting -- lines of Geeps, F-units and SW1200 switchers. The wild car... (more)

After its long dash across the high plains of eastern Colorado with westbound train 81, Rock Island F2A 43 is leaning on the brakes at Sable just east of Denver. In a few miles the train will come... (more)

On a humid, overcast April morning in1965, Rock Island FA-1 141 and a companion work their way along Kansas City Terminal tracks near Van Brunt Boulevard with an endless string of refrigerator car... (more)

Correctly stepping off trailing foot first -- opposite the direction of travel -- the brakeman of Rock Island 82 steps down to throw the switch at Sandown Junction east of Denver, February 14, 19... (more)

The end is very near for Rock Island on July 15, 1979, as GP7R 4552 leads a matched set of jeeps under Loop 12 in Irving toward Dallas. Rock Island diesels and cars have been dressed in “Ingramâ... (more)

In its day, Train 8, the Rocky Mountain Rocket, was a class operation, not as fast as its Union Pacific and Burlington competitors but a luxurious and comfortable. ride from Denver to Chicago. But... (more)

An eastbound freight kicks up the snow outside of Walcott with pool power from the UP in the consist.

A westbound freight has just departed Kelly Yard in Silvis, passing the CTC crossovers on the west end near 17th Street.

A Football Special prepares to depart from the depot at Rock Island. The train is taking fans to the University of Iowa at Iowa City.

A pair of clean Pullman-Standard commuter cars bring up the rear of a Football Special departing Davenport. The Rock Island owned 20 of these cars, numbered 2700-2719.

For many University of Iowa football games, the Rock Island ran "Football Trains" for fans wanting to see the game. A pair of clean E8's depart Davenport for Iowa City after loading here along 5t... (more)

A derailment at Division Street in Davenport has forced the Rock Island to bring out the Big Hook from Silvis (RI 95022) to clean up the mess. This is on the mainline to Kansas City, several bloc... (more)

A pair of Rock Island GE's and an EMD exit the wash rack at Silvis. Kodachrome slide processed in November 1973.

A Rock Island train was "rocking" west through Pullman Jct, even though speed was ten or less the brakeman riding the nose was well braced for the rocking motion.