Six years after its bankruptcy, a Rock Island GP18 leads a Chicago Rail Link lite engine move. Tom Golden photo.

Parked on a spur at the Santa Fe station in Amarillo, and connected to a steam line; is Atchison Topeka & Santa Fe business car 57. Built by Pullman in 1924, this 73'6"-long car was originally nu... (more)

A Rock Island Railroad Freight Train heads South through Mattson, MS, with their GP15-1 on the point as they head towards the interchange located Swan Lake, MS.

Rock Island Rail's freshly painted GP38s 4310 and 4373 are southbound engine light near Albin, Mississippi on May 23, 2020.

Rock Island Rail's freshly painted GP38s 4373 and 4310 are northbound and engine light approaching downtown Webb, Mississippi on May 23, 2020.

One of the final group of Rock Island GP40's 4700-4719. The 4713 shows off the bright red hood, speed lettering, and yellow nose of the early Seventies RI image at Silvis, IL, in July 1979. From ... (more)

The Rock's freshly painted GP38s are just north of Swan Lake, Mississippi as they stand over the Little Tallahatchie River during an evening photo shoot on May 23, 2020.

The Rock's freshly painted 4373 is northbound in a "pan shot" at Albin, Mississippi during it's debut for the matching pair of 38's on May 23, 2020.

A Rock Island Railroad Freight Train heads South through Hopson, MS, on their way to interchange with Canadian National at Swan Lake, MS.

A Rock Island Railroad Freight Train heads South out of Clarksdale, MS, on their way to interchange with Canadian National at Swan Lake, MS.

In the years before LED displays, the Rock Island used these low-tech tail signs hung on the rear car to help commuters identify their trains at Chicago's La Salle Street station.

In its final year of operation, Rock Island train #6, the Rock Island-Chicago Quad Cities Rocket, makes its stop at Joliet, IL. Just two cars trail E8 655. Along with the Peoria Rocket, this train... (more)

In the late 1970s, the Rock Island began testing a Fiat Railbus for commuter service in the Chicagoland area. The Railbus is seen passing through Blue Island on a September day. Tom Golden photo... (more)

As a 2-car passenger train heads toward Chicago, a Rock Island NW2 brings a cut of cars out of the south end of Burr Oak Yard. Tom Golden photo.

Consisting of caboose-C415-C415-caboose, a Rock Island cab hop heads past the Blue Island passenger depot into Burr Oak Yard. Tom Golden photo.