Illinois Railway Museum Blog

Entries from Saturday, December 13. 2014

Saturday, December 13. 2014

Remembering the Rock Island Part 2 ... Posted by Roger Kramer in Passenger Car Department at 16:33

Comments (11)

Remembering the Rock Island Part 2 and a Idea

Here is the second installment of pictures taken by Robert Banke. They were taken in and around the Chicago area in the late seventies. Please notice the condition of the yards, facilities and the equipment.

Pictured is RI 2610. Just two numbered coaches away from our 2612. Please credit all these pictures to Robert Banke. This one taken May of 1978.

A six coach commuter train, its now June 2, 1978.

We could easily portray the next scenes by restoring our last coach RI 2524 to active service. How would you like to volunteer?

With #649 in the lead this commuter train rounds the curve. Its June 2, 1978

Up close picture of the consist. Taken, 11-1977

Unit 643 waiting for its assignment, November 1977.

Unit 642 rounding a curve June 1978. Anyone know where this picture was taken?

E unit 630 sitting on the ready track. July 1977

On the above picture, the next track over, is the end of a bilevel. Is that one of the 2700 series bilevels?

Engineer climbing into the cab of the 630. The unit next door is #4804. What RR is that from? July 1977

I believe the RI 630 has survived the scrappers torch and is in existence today. Years ago, Irm had a chance to buy this engine. Instead, we own the last RI steamer to run in commuter service, the # 938.

Rock Island 938 4-6-2 Pacific taken Nov 2012 at IRM

Here is some thought and a challenge to someone who is goal oriented and wants to see the 938 again in steam operation. Formulate and submit a plan to raise money for the future operation and maintenance of this locomotive. Then present your plan before the Board of Directors of IRM and, with approval, begin raising money to restore the 938 to operational status. In the meantime, send your donations to RI 2612 coach fund and the RI 938 steam fund. Thanks Roger

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Comments

James Kolanowski about Milwaukee Road 33C update
Fri, 03-29-2024 21:26
We're slackers and spend more time working on the equipment in the shop than keeping all you readers updated. We'll work on it, but I'm sure updates [...]

AJ about Milwaukee Road 33C update
Thu, 03-14-2024 08:02
What happened to the Department Blog? It's been over 2 years and I still regularly check for updates, but nothing comes...

Ted Miles about Progress update of the Multi Purpose Building
Mon, 12-27-2021 16:28
Happy New Year to all the Departments at the Illinois railway Museum! Thanks for all the good work you do in railroad preservation. Ted Miles, [...]

J Blustein about The Old Bag and the Silver Beaver
Wed, 10-13-2021 13:33
Was the CB&Q 1309 every transported to IRM?I’ve been reading old issues of Rail&Wire and the car was mentioned several times.

Jason E about Progress update of the Multi Purpose Building
Mon, 06-07-2021 22:40
I was wondering if in the model layout display what scale would you guys be using and would you be displaying model train history as well? Just [...]

Thomas about It Happened One Saturday at IRM
Wed, 06-02-2021 17:27
Nice to see 428's cab back on. Looking forward to when it is operable!

Ted Miles about It Happened One Saturday at IRM
Tue, 06-01-2021 16:47
I hope the work will continue on the UP #428. Now that they are the museum's connection to the national railroad network; she would be very [...]

bob miller about Dover Strait Progress Part Three
Sat, 04-17-2021 23:07
What is the status of 126, the Milwaukee Buffet car that is in S. Dakota? Any guess on when or if it will get to IRM?

Ted Miles about John McLoughlin Progress - Part Two
Wed, 04-14-2021 21:09
Perhaps it is time to scrap the remains of the c, B & Q 7128 to make room for the Villa Real. Ted miles, IRM member

Jason Erkenswick about Diesel Shop update 1/29/2021
Wed, 04-14-2021 15:26
Hi IRM my name is Jason and I was wonder If you guys would be willing to save a CN Dash8-40cm they are currently being retired by CN and being [...]

Alex Schneider about Dover Strait Progress Part Three
Fri, 04-09-2021 19:56
Bear in mind that the Nebraska Zephyr is an articulated train set, so cars cannot be inserted at will. Although cars and/or a second engine could be [...]

Matthew Maloy about Dover Strait Progress Part Three
Wed, 03-31-2021 11:37
I believe Silver Pony is currently on the back burner, and has been put into storage in one of the barns. The car needs a lot of work done to it's [...]