Wow what an eclectic mix of motive power. Thanks for sharing.
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What a lashup! No railroad or museum could duplicate it now. Thanks for posting this.
Bob
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Interesting observations and maybe a sinister explanation for the hodge-podge of motive power this 1964 photo lays witness to. At this time, the glory days of the ‘50’s had long ended and the Rock Island was running into trouble on the revenue side of things. They were, in fact, actively in the process of pursuing a merger partner that was flush with cash. After ten years of litigation that included hearings and testimonials, several merger plans were approved by the court. The UP ended up walking away as a potential suitor and, long story-short, the Rock had a pathetic ending with all assets being liquidated. However, the UP ironically ended up owing more of the Rock Island system when it was all said and done in the 1990’s when the railroad mega-mergers took place. What I find very interesting is that after Rock Island’s third bankruptcy and all debts were paid and all assets sold, the former railroad’s management found itself flush with cash and ended up buying the Maytag Corporation. This use of funds from a windfall reminds me of the Illinois Central RR. The IC won a dispute with the City of Chicago on owing the “air rights” over their valuable track property in downtown Chicago. The IC took the money and bought Whitman’s (the Whitman sampler) and eventually Pepsi Cola’s largest bottler, PepsiAmericas, Inc. They were so successful in their new business ventures that they eventually sold the railroad off and changed their name to the Whitman Corp.
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What a consist! Thanks for posting this.
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| Posted by Reynold on April 15, 2019 | |
That second unit would be an FB-1.
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