A Tribute to The Chicago Rock Island and Pacific
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- Опубликовано: 28 июн 2010
- The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad was a Midwestern and western Class I railroad formed in July of 1866 out of the remnants of the Rock Island and La Salle Railroad. The railroad was both a freight hauler and a passenger route, with most passenger trains focusing on inter-city commuter travel. Success on "The Rock" as it was commonly called was plentiful until the mid 1950s when profits lacked and traffic decreased. As other railroads expanded, the Rock Island was forced to sell low traffic routes and abandon lines that were no profitable. At this period of time, the Rock's maintenance was at an all time low. The railroad become synonymous with cutting corners to save money. Track was at its worst, and rolling stock and locomotives took a dive. In 1964 the Rock Island made an attempt to save the railroad. The proposed case that ensued would merge the Chicago Rock Island and Pacific Railroad with the Union Pacific railroad, making one large Class one railroad. Unfortunately for the Rock Island, the Union Pacific did not find the railroad as appealing as it did in the 1950s. With a denial from the Union Pacific and a denial from the US government, the merger idea was scrapped. The Rock soon hired a new president and CEO - John W. Ingram - a former Federal Railway Administration official. He sought to rebuild the Rock Island by approving loans from the FRA. Unfortunately, money was scarce on the Rock Island and in March of 1975, the Rock faced its third bankruptcy. It was at this period of time that the Rock Island bought many new two axle Geeps to replace its ageing power. These new Geeps in fresh blue and white paint were often referred to as "The Bankruptcy Blue Units" The railroads last attempt to survive came as a proposed 100 million dollar reorganization plan. This plan proved to be too farfetched for the railroad to handle, so instead a shutdown and liquidation ensued. The last train ran on the Rock Island in March of 1980.
Presidents of the Rock Island Railroad:
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James W. Grant, November 27, 1850 - December 22, 1851.
John Bloomfield Jervis, December 22, 1851 - December 1854.
Henry Farnam, December 1854 - June 1863.
Charles W. Durant, June 1863 - August 1866.
John F. Tracy, August 1866 - April 14, 1877.
Hugh Riddle, April 14, 1877 - June 6, 1883.
Ransom Reed Cable, June 6, 1883 - June 1898.
Warren G. Purdy, June 1898 - December 31, 1901.
William Bateman Leeds, December 31, 1901 - March 26, 1904
Benjamin L. Winchell, March 26, 1904 - December 1909.
Henry U. Mudge, December 1909 - April 20, 1915.
Jacob McGavock Dickinson appointed receiver trustee during bankruptcy, April 20, 1915 - June 21, 1917.
James E. Gorman, June 22, 1917 - June 7, 1933.
Joseph B. Fleming, Frank Orren Lowden (until his death on March 20, 1943) and James E. Gorman (until his death on March 25, 1942) appointed receiver trustees during bankruptcy, June 7, 1933 - December 31, 1947. Aaron Colnon replaced Frank O. Lowden as receiver trustee on April 19, 1943.
John Dow Farrington, January 1, 1948 - 1955.
Downing B. Jenks, 1956-1961.
R. Ellis Johnson, 1961-1964.
Jervis Langdon, Jr., 1965-1970.
William J. Dixon, 1970-1974.
John W. Ingram, 1974 - March 17, 1975.
William M. Gibbons appointed receiver trustee during bankruptcy, March 17, 1975 - June 1, 1984
This is my tribute to the once great Chicago Rock Island and pacific.
The song is "More than a Feeling" by "Boston" off of their self titled 1976 album "Boston." 
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Got some news for fans of the ROCK. The ROCK has returned. It’s located in west central Mississippi on the former Mississippi Delta Railroad.
I grew up in Chicago and used to watch the Rock Island trains coming through Brighton Park. Also have family in the Quad Cities so used to be able to catch a train or 2 passing by my Great Uncles house when we would visit. Ran right through the yard at his house, good memories. Also my first passenger train trip was on the Rock Island in 1974, from Chicago to Davenport IA.
The most varied roster, and the most colorful RR the country will ever see.
The CRIPle line, cool railroad I like the bankrupt blue & white paint myself.
Bankruptcy Blue is my favorite.
I worked as a brakeman on the Rock Island between 1978 and 1982 out of El Reno, Oklahoma. I rode alot of trains on the north/south line. It brings back alot of memories. Thank you. Steve D.
One correction...The Rock approached UP over the idea of a merger, though UP filed the petition to the ICC. They strongly desired Rock's Omaha route. What you got wrong is the US government never denied the merger... They actually gave the okay for the merger with UP. The problem, is nearly every railroad west of the Mississippi got involved, and the government took a full decade to make their decision. UP walked from the very deal they had been so enthusiastic about, 10 years later, due to the toll that a decade without money flowing into maintenance and an attitude of "UP will fix it when we merge".
This is absolutely correct.
Ah the good old Rock Island, my grandfather lived along the joint CB&Q/RI line and every so often he'd ride the cab of an F or GP diesel up to downtown and back. In the 70's when BN took over from CB&Q, they still operated the Joint division and my grandfather got quite a few cool souvenirs from the BN and RI crews, timetables, vests, hats, lanterns, you name it, he probably had it. He likes telling me stories about the Rock and what it did to survive, doubling the hill, cab rides and history. I once told him the Rock would survive if it had another decade, he agreed. There's still plenty I don't know about it, like the C430 order and such. Great video!
Thanks a lot, It was a great road. The UP line in the city I live in used to be a CRIP line, but was taken over the CNW and later UP. Thanks again!
thanks for compiling all those pics...you did a great job!
One of the best! Makes the hair on the back of my neck stand straight up! Long live the Rock!
Lots of great Joliet shots in there
The Mighty Rock Island!!!!!!!
Thanks Geoff.
During 1076, I worked on the rebuild of the CRI&P, from Kansas City to Tucumcari. The reason for the rebuild was so that the SSW, which had purchased that portion of the Rock Island tracks, would have a direct connection to the SP at Tucuncari, NM. I never did see a CRI&P freight train running on that line after the SSW took over.
My contract was for pick up and salvage of all rails which were dumped along side of the tracks; while new welded rail was laid.
The Rock never had a direct route to KC, they has trackage rights on the UP from KC to Topeka, There rails went south of Topeka to Herington, KS on to Tucumcari. I myself worked out of Herington rebuilding the track for Herzog, sub-contracted for the SSW. Was a beautiful old brick CRI&P depot in Herington, we worked out of, offered to the city, but they declined so it was demolished. Once the UP took control of the SP, the line is now a major hub for UP. with the yard & facilities all upgraded. Went back a few years ago, it's all changed.
Upon reviewing photos this morning, I discovered that the front axle of the 2nd locomotive at 0:13 is derailed.
nice video of all the old different train's.
Thanks! I have to give you serious kudos man. You seem to comment on every one of my videos!!! I don't think any other person I know does that! Super thanks to you!!
The real Chicago,Rock Island & Pacific Railroad went history for 35 years,But you will be able to have an alive-&-well Chicago,Rock Island & Pacific in your Basement,Attic,Den,or even the "Train Room",etc,etc,etc.
I even have one of the CRI&P double engined ALCOs, parked on a siding near my ranch in Western Kansas. Unfortunately, it no longer runs. I think the engine froze up.
3/31/2015 Marked 35 years after the Railroad went history.
Thanks a lot!
Nice choice of music. Your photos fit well. Great tribute.
So cool.
Excellent!!
No Problem. :-)
See the old Rock shop i've worked at 24 years in here. Silvis shop
Who got "The Rock" after the bankruptcy and shutdown.