For all the Rock Island fans..............A string of brand new Rock Island "The Rock" image boxcars await delivery to the Rock Island at Frisco's Tennessee Yard in Memphis.
Regards,
Swafford
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So that's why the "Rock" went bankrupt! An eye-pleasing scene.
Wow, that is a sight to see. Very impressive.
Great photo. Hope they aren't all one car number!
Can they accept Kadee couplers?
Thanks for posting.
Any idea of the date that photo was taken? What was the year of the "Rock's" final bankruptcy and dissolution?
Paul Fischer
Believe the "Rock" went under in 1980. Seem to recall the Rock image showing up around 1975, with a new "savior" management. The Rock Island was a heck of a railroad and went to the darndest, most unexpected locations, such as Memphis, Mpls/StPaul, Kansas City, Tucumcari NM, Houston, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Denver, Lincoln NE, etc. Multiple bouts of poor management proved it's undoing.
Today's date, March 31, 1980, The mighty Rock Island died.
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Swafford, Great pic!New boxcars that match the sky!
Thank you for sharing the photo Swafford. I grew up with the Rock Island,
I sure miss it, but in my fifty ft. Rock Island box car. She still rules the rails.
The Rock Island is dead, Long live the ROCK!
They call that bankruptcy blue
Many do not like the Rock Island final blue since it reminds them of it going out of business. It is one of my favorite color schemes, very unique light blue color with the big "R" made it great to me.
Mark
Today, March 31st is the 35th anniversary of the Shut Down of the Rock Island.
Found this picture that goes with that one on the fans of the rock island fb group
Guys, thanks for sharing these nice photos to a ROCK ISLAND fan
Impressive.
Now somebody will have to build a copy of that specific 50' box car type in O Scale.
Andrew
AMEN, would love to see more of THE ROCK!!
falconservice posted:Now somebody will have to build a copy of that specific 50' box car type in O Scale.
Thanks for starting this thread, Swafford.
I live a mile south of the former Rock Island Choctaw line, west of Amarillo. Although some portions remain between Amarillo and Memphis, west of Amarillo, the track was removed years ago, and, with each passing year, it becomes more difficult to trace the grade.
However, there's good news. There are several bridges in Amarillo which still have the Rock Island logo painted on the steel ones or molded into the concrete ones. That paint is at least 36 years old, and still looks good. And the right of way for about three miles westward from downtown is the Rock Island Trail for walkers, runners, and bicyclists.
The Rock Island is gone, definitely not forgotten, and almost universally fondly remembered. It was a mighty fine road.
