This Was The Rock Island Railroad

Purchase at -- www.greenfrog.com
The Rock Island Line was a mighty fine line. The musical ditty aside, there was something special about the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad that set it apart from other rail carriers. Maybe it was the image of an underdog, surrounded on all sides by larger, more powerful-and richer-railroads. Maybe it was its short, fast passenger trains-appropriately named Rockets-barreling across the Western Prairies. Maybe it was the granger railroad, quietly and effectively going about serving its customers.
Roger Koenig [KANE-ig] grew up in Brainerd on Chicagos South Side. It was the first stop at ground level on the Rock Islands Suburban Branch after leaving the main line at Gresham Junction. He often rode into the city on its trains. Roger worked for two summers as an office boy for the railroad, and built his first home in Oak Forest on the main line to Joliet. His summer home was near the Peoria Branch. No wonder the Rock Island became his favorite railroad.
This is Rogers fast-moving movie kaleidoscope of The Rock during its final six years, from 1974 until shortly before the railroad shut down forever on March 31, 1980.
Approx. 72 Minutes
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Please watch: "Behind The Scenes at Green Frog"
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[@CrazyGrandpa2]

I worked for the Rock Island R.R. for 7 yrs, and my dad was a engineer for 50 yrs. Chicago Branch. Al these engines sure do bring back memories. I rode on about every engine in this video.

[@ShawnCalay-lr5kh]

Same with my dad, pretty much hired out after Vietnam...worked there till the end....then went to CNW....

[@24602400]

I worked on tie gang 3. I know the line from Seneca to Rock Island. Most of the rail was 120 lb. but there was some old 80 lb. rail. You could see where steam engines had burned the rail by spinning their wheels. I am 70 this year so I could tell you some things.

[@scannerfanatic81]

If there was a way to love your comment I would. My dad grew up in Seneca and I have been by the yard and the restored depot as well that’s across the street. I would love to hear your stories. Have a great one !

[@alcopower5710]

24602400 .....I’m listening lol

[@videodistro]

Our family moved to Oak Forest in 1958, two years before I was born. We lived only 1/2 block south of the station and felt the whole house shaking every time a train passed by. My dad took the rickety rock (its universal nickname) to downtown Chicago every day from 1958 to 1978 (from the Oak Forest station) until the college he worked at cut his department from their program. I spent many an hour watching and listening to those trains. I purchased our old house in 2000 and have been living continuously there, next to the rails, for all of my 60 years. It's amazing to see our 10 year old enthralled by trains and tracks. He takes a lot of video of Metra trains going by the new Oak Forest station. The engineers always give him a couple toots as they pass. He even creates short videos that he posts on KZbin. This is amazing historical footage.

[@user-yw2lo7pf2o]

Union Pacific owns it now if I’m right

[@bodryn]

I got to ride the Rock Island Line in May, 1964 on my way back from basic training. I rode on many trains but the Rock Island was the fastest and most comfortable ride I ever had. It had reclining seats that went ALL the way back, you could sleep just like in a bed! On that trip I actually met a guy who said he had served with Harry Truman when he was still a county "judge". Unforgettable!

[@BNforever2009]

my family moved to the Washington Heights area back in 1973. I grew up 1 block away from the PC's Panhandle Line and 3 blocks away from the RI's suburban branch near 91st and Longwood. I got to see every RI commuter train and all the E-units on that line, miss those "Capone Cars". I got to see some of the frieghts trains on the main line on Vincennes Ave and 95th St. Those 6 axle U-boats were some ground shaking heavy units!!!

[@G0IMB]

What a bugger. America needs railways like this.

[@wthjrtx1]

My grandfather spent over 30 years on the Rock Island. He was with them till their last day. Then he went on the Katy from Chickasaw to Ft. Worth. A WW2 vet and a hellava man.

[@AmericanRailfan-gb8oq]

WT Hendrix Nice man, I remember my Grandpa lived in chicago near the Rock Island, and he also worked for them till their last day, he then went to the Illinois Central Gulf, but sadly he died 5 years ago

[@scoobycarr5558]

How was your Grandpa's experience on the RI and the Katy? I'm sure he had an absolute fun time on the railroad. My Grandpa worked for the EJ&E after WWII, but he didn't call this railroad the EJ&E. He called it Easy Jobs For Everyone! Nowadays the former EJ&E is now owned by CN. My Grandpa would have definitely approved of his railroad being part of a rail system serving North America.

[@brucewhite7069]

my dad worked for rock island we lived in fort worth moved. up the line to Wichita Kansas then kansascity when they finally shut her down.loved riding on those old trains

[@phildralle4526]

I love the rock and Chicago northwesten

[@amandadenig7752]

I saw these trains frequently, as child, right in my own back yard, living in Morris, Ill. back in the 70s. Coolstuff... Those red and yellow RI diesels with the silver passenger cars were amazing looking!

[@ppoutine]

Look at all of the reactions from the engineers!

[@terryboyer1342]

They mostly ignore or flip you off nowadays.

[@GreenFrogVideos]

All of the RR sound on this video was recorded live onto the Film when it was shot, and we used this original audio for the entire production. There were some scenes that were blank and we moved sound from other scenes to match as best as possible!

[@MikeG42]

This is a good video about the Rock Island Railroad. A nice addition to my dvd collection. 😊👍

[@youmadbro742]

Fast forward to 2020 and The Rock Island railroad is back and in revenue service!!!

[@Isochest]

This is true wholesome freight and passenger traffic. The world has gone away from this.

[@videodistro]

No it hasn't. I live ¹/² block from this very station and freight is moving through here all night long! As much as it has the last 60 years. It did help when gas prices boomed the last decade.

[@Isochest]

@@videodistro Glad to hear it!

[@kurtkauffman4326]

You can model the CRI&P in any scale,but make it "alive & well" in your Basement,Attic,Garage,or perhaps "Train Room".

[@FrehleyFan3988]

I would if the DCC sound units weren't so dam expensive

[@davidfrobel7582]

i got an old keroseen lamp stamped rock island line,,its got safty first on it. good video,

[@Landaux]

R.I. ran by our house (The Houston / Teague Branch) and i cant tell you how many of the beautiful colored schemes I saw as a boy. I never saw any 'E or F units though, just GPs,SDs and GEs. They shared the track w/ BN. Every now and then Id see a SP as well, it was a WIDE ASSORTMENT!! :-)

[@MrCrossIsBoss]

Mark your calendars: Train Festival 2011 will be held July 21-24 in Rock Island, Illinois. GreenFrogVideos are always outstanding. I grew up in Chicago; in 1990 there were sixteen railroads here...now there are only *sigh*...seven. These videos capture history which will never be seen again. Chi-town may still be "the rail capital" and have a few hotspots, but it's NOTHING like it was from the mid-90's and before.

[@amtrakjohn]

Nice retrospective- thanks Roger. I remember watching Rock Island trains while visiting my relatives in CHI, before it shut down. Also Soo Line and ATSF trains; some good memories there. Retired from the RR now out West.

[@regmason2329]

While these videos are centered in the Chicago area, it is important to realize that the Rock Island was a large railroad, extending as far west as Tucumcari New Mexico, where it interchanged with the Southern Pacific. In the days of steam it had some of the finest steam power on any railroad. The big "Northerns- R-67" were in my opinion one of the best looking steam locomotives of all time. The fact that such a large and once vital railroad is now gone, is a testimony to the fact that nothing lasts forever.

[@Isochest]

What is or was a granger line?

[@bentstrider]

That Tucumcari to Amarillo section was probably one of the few to not be used by any other lines. You could still come across the old road bed, ties, and trestle remains adjacent to the 40 freeway. But it's definitely a ghost route now.

[@tk48states]

My grandfather in Omaha always took the CRI&P to Chicago to visit us in New York even though my grandmother preferred the Burlington Zephyrs which admittedly were better trains. Reason was the Rock Island used LaSalle St Station in Chicago where connection to the New York Central was easy because NYC also used LaSalle St while the Burlington came into Union Station which would require a street transfer to catch the Central at LaSalle.

[@rowsdower12]

Thanks! I figure that was the case. Too bad its gone. Along with other great roads.

[@fiddlerpin]

Cool seeing an E-6 operating. Thanks for posting. E-6 was the best looking diesel with the raked front end

[@SimRacin14]

R.J. Corman has a pair of F-Units for its Dinner Train in Bardstown,KY. I've seen them pulling hopper cars before. So,it still happens,even to this day.

[@Delmarvellous]

"Rock Island Line" was the very first song that a very young George Harrison learned to play on guitar.

[@glasscitadel12]

Looks like RI was using top of the line equipment in it's last days. i noticed the Amtrak paint starting up too.

[@DFWRailVideos]

This video gives me nostalgia as i used to watch this when i was a kid.

[@johnvrabec9747]

Nice to see Vermont St. In Blue Island at the end. My Dad worked at the 123rd St barn/shed.

[@moonoink]

@GreenFrogVideos i've been wondering how the bell and horn on the highliners sounded like in the 70's and 80's

[@tyhik9338]

moonoink I like the orange schemed highliners and the blue ones too and the Nippon sharyo highliners.

[@siemenstraffic]

@NJTCOMET The bi-level Highliner multiple-unit cars, where built by the St. Louis Car Company in 1971-1972. As you can notice, there aren't painted with orange and white stripes. So the was filmed before the train accident 27th Street station back in October 30, 1972.

[@tyhik9338]

siemenstraffic they have been retired

[@planeflight1202]

Ty Hik ya just a year and a half now maybe 2 ago but the metra deisel lines still have pullman ans budd equipment.

[@samueljackson8020]

Can’t stop the rock!

[@BOBXFILES2374a]

I moved to Chicago 1976-80; wish I'd ridden the Rock & some other lines, now gone. Rode C&NW to the C&NW Station downtown.

[@peterhanahoe4913]

This is fantastic

[@davidstaudohar6733]

🇺🇸♥️🇺🇸 Great memories Of American History , Wonderful footage 🎥🎞️🎞️ 🎬 I grew up in Blue Island Illinois ❤️

[@supobostarman]

Great videos! Used to watch the Rock sail past us in New Lenox IL and stop at the Joliet depot as a young child. Even rode the commuter in 1979 until Metra took over.

[@jamelarias7738]

Nice video . Almost all these F3s were the same the different painting squems that run alongside the US made them beautifully so sad these machines don't run any more in regular service.

[@davidbarnett9312]

Some forty years ago, the Rock Island used to run to Houston. I worked as a brakeman for the SP in those days. There was some trouble with their tracks, so they used the SP tracks that ran from Houston through Waller, Hempstead, Navasota, Bryan/College Station, Hearne, and north to Dallas. It was a freight with those 'A" and "B" units.

[@user-yw2lo7pf2o]

Yes I live in magnolia and people here said they remember those through here

[@owboky102050]

Watched them go by my house in Midlothian in the 50's and 60' and rode them in the Capone cars in the 70's to downtown Chicago

[@SmithConductor]

A line i live next to was once Rock Island from Houston, Texas to Fort Worth. Its now BNSF through all of the Mergers.

[@ArmpitStudios]

I love the way this looks. You can't beat '70s film of '70s vehicles and people. We used to have Rock Island engines moving grain cars in Keota, IA. Most were dark brown. One day a lone engine hit a dirthead's car, probably because the dirtheads were too stoned to hear the horn or look around them.

[@Isochest]

Sad to see this once great railway no more:-(

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

Lives on through Metra, and Iowa Interstate. Not to mention it's trains and museums and railroadina.

[@Gracebeliever077]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

[@Train2589]

I have seen E6 630 at the Midland Railway in Baldwin City, Ks. it's been sold along with the Rocks Bi-centennial engine to some other tourist line. I find it ironic that i have a model of f7 677 which is also in this video.

[@Bubaloo56]

Filled in all the holes knowing the song "rock islang line" but never seeing the whole picture. Never in Chicago (shame) - thanks for upload appreciated and edified

[@marklundholm9314]

+Jaggar Mann The Chicago SW commuter trains on Metra still use the Rock Island in their traffic updates on TV and radio. So, I guess the Rock still lives!

[@shafiuddin9979]

My grandson Kawsar loves to see quick movement of train. He wants to utter that it is running so quick, it is faster and so on.

[@SadisticSenpai61]

We just went to one of the Rock Island lines. The Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad in Boone, IA - it's owned and operated locally now after it shut down in the 70s or 80s, I can't remember exactly. Unfortunately, it doesn't go over the Kate Shelley High Bridge - that's on the UP line.

[@seancarr346]

Most of the old RI is now owned by Iowa Interstate between Chicago and Council Bluffs, then east of Joliet it's owned by Metra as it's Rock Island District.

[@G0IMB]

I love the fact the public were up with the trains. Safety was common sense

[@dmbodeen]

Awesome footage! I really enjoyed seeing the Rock back in action. Sad to see the trains bouncing around due differed track maintenance. Still fun seeing #630 working hard, too!

[@doubleutubefan5]

0:09 MAN those SP locos look awesome in fresh paint huh

[@irelandbloke]

Brilliant videos ! :)

[@shootwithascopejones4423]

This is crazy I go to this oak forest station every time I get on the rock island train it looks so different now but that factory mill is still there!!!!

[@videodistro]

Its Willi Brothers concrete. They've been there a very long time.

[@Isochest]

I love the fact the Rock Island survived so long against our true enemies: The Monopolists: Skull and Bones etc. Know your enemy!

[@coasternamegenerator5611]

And it still lives to this day

[@PoetryETrain]

Thank you, added to a playlist...

[@celica825]

i didnt know rock island was gone!!

[@dknowles60]

killed by carter

[@Brendon_up1995]

I work the Metra Rock Island district, it’s so cool to see what the line once looked like in this bygone era of railroading

[@Dorox97]

This Is A Good Tribute

[@billmorris2613]

When I hired out on the Texas and Pacific, now UP, in 1973 the Rock Island ran through our yard in Alexandria, Louisiana. They went south on our New Orleans mainline to Rock Junction about 15 or so miles south of Alexandria. I was working in Alexandria and was in the yard office when the RI crew came in to get their orders. One of the crew members told our Yardmaster this would be their last trip. I’m not sure what year it was but we had been hearing rumors that they were going to stop operating. I belong to an organization that operates an Alco RS 1 locomotive that use to on the RI engine roster. It was the RI 745. Oddly enough our Steam Engine is the SP 745.

[@trainmasterfm2]

Yes

[@AAPRCO]

Great video. It even captured the brief era of Amtrak requiring private cars that wished to travel on Amtrak to be painted the Amtrak scheme.

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

Very interesting historical video . thankyou

[@robertmoir-vj1kq]

thank you for sharing this video I do find it interesting it has been 40 years now since The Rock Island Railroad was diminished however Union Pacific has always been my favorite railroad

[@tramwayjohn]

The first ever built C145 is in a rail museum in Western Australia. Some other rare US locomotives including former WP F7 and an RSc3 BUILT BY MLW is also in the area.

[@joestephan1111]

When I was growing up in Colorado Springs in the late 1950s & 1960s a Rock Island passenger train operated to Chicago almost every day. I don't know the model designation but a couple of passenger cars were pulled by a "straight front-end" power unit similar to today's commuter trains. Seventy miles northeast it met up with the full passenger train that had left Denver in Limon. There, the full train was "split" apart and the short train coupled in.

[@generationll]

Alot of nice old locomotives

[@MrJack-uk2hp]

Wow, this is cool!

[@rogercox369]

Never got to see the Rock Island as my first venture west of Chicago was at the ripe old age of 19 back in '82. Damn cool railroad.

[@redhotrider57]

Thanks for the info! I cant waitto get this one!

[@chuckabbate5924]

Dear God that track.

[@Isochest]

i LOVE THE VARIETY:-)

[@shaneruddock-pedallingtheg8114]

Rock island line she's a mighty good road

[@imegatrone]

I Really Like The Video The Rock Island Line was a mighty fine line. The musical ditty aside, there was something special about the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad that set it apart from other rail carriers From Your

[@Ferrocarril_Chicago]

It sure is cool to know that on these rails serviced the Rock Island. And it's great to know that Metra keeps the route in service! I also love those P5 horns on thoe Rock Island F and E units.

[@JAILRail]

AGREED!!!

[@TexasRailfan2008]

My dad grew up seeing the baby blue “the rock” locomotives, later today we are taking a trip to see some of the abandoned tracks

[@Marcolepsie]

Very good footage :)

[@Chicagojoe28]

Awesome video!

[@Shortline819]

Mighty Good Road.

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

ITS A MIGHTY GOOD ROAD

[@Isochest]

In a true libertarian economic situation all that traffic should be viable. I can see trucks being taken off the highways if trucking paid its true costs

[@JAILRail]

1:37 one of the best P5's ive heard.

[@BCSchmerker]

A sad story, the final years of the CRI&P's independence. Can't help wondering whether the Union Pacific might commission a Heritage General Electric Centennial model to display the old Rock Island colors....

[@NishnaValleyRailVideos]

Now it’s back

[@DAOzz83]

Yes.

[@BorisLu]

Nice video!

[@EuropeanTrainDriver]

Nice video

[@GTRailroadVideos]

Classic Footage! 5*****!

[@murringo9]

Greetings from Australia, these vids are great!

[@GreenFrogVideos]

Hello Mate, Thanks very much for watching, we are glad that you enjoy them! Please subscribe to our channel and give a thumbs up! Green Frog Productions

[@murringo9]

Already have! Thanks.

[@GreenFrogVideos]

Greetings to you, thanks very much glad you like the vids, we appreciate you watching our channel!

[@jonmarretta2459]

I am from Rock Island my uncle and my brother all worked on it till the end, you must have rail in your blood mate:)

[@HHopebringer]

My great grandfather worked for the Rock Island during the steam era. One of the family stories is that he had just gotten a train into Chicago when someone told him he had another train to take out. Having just arrived, he told them he'd get underway in half an hour. That person told the supervisor that he wasn't going to do it. My great-grandfather got fired...not because of anything he'd done but because of a deliberate miscommunication. It was a different era then, but not necessarily a better one. I wonder what happened to the enployee who lied about my great-grandfather.

[@railfanadam1944]

900th like, awesome video

[@macdogq]

that familiar horns.

[@kurtkauffman4326]

They had Headquarters in Chicago during its years of existence.

[@jeremeymcdude]

the rock island line that went through my town went on main line 2 or Davenport to Kansas City on the CP rail line now. the other line crossed at my town going between Burlington IA and Minneapolis St. Paul. the track going north to south however is no longer there and I never saw it or the station that was there. I wish i could have seen it though.

[@ronfullerton3162]

jeremeymcdude The little town of Columbus Junction, Iowa had Rock Island lines both north-south and east-west through it that crossed at the depot at the north end of town. I would of liked to of rode that north to south track, it went through areas away from the highway system and might of been scenic in places. And the streamlined F units are a lost sight that was memorial. Thanks for the video.

[@harrymcfatterson3734]

jeremeymcdude quad citiea

[@Stanley-Rocklin]

Get that apostrophe out of Video's - ouch. My mom was a Peoria native. Born 1909 and taught English til they fired her when she got married as they did all engaged female teachers. Then I became her victim. She forced good English down my throat. I'm happy for it now, but wasn't as a boy. Me? Born 1937! Rode the oldest of Peoria Rockets for many yrs. to Chicago and back.

[@bountle]

have a look at the caboose, isn't that the cutest? Yeah! so cute.

[@bettyboop65340]

theres a rock island line in Missouri that goes east to west abandoned. tracks are still there.heard up owns the line and wont sell it.

[@moonoink]

@GreenFrogVideos do you have any more foorage of the highliners?

[@tyhik9338]

moonoink I'm pretty sure he does

[@smvrr80]

GP40P-2, two of three SP had.

[@RovingRoy]

Damien Omen II brought me here!

[@cvgeeps]

I have this vid its great the road is starting to die but hanging on Rockets in low orbit.