The Rock Island Lines Silvis Shop main bay was divided in half. East was called the ramp. This is where running repairs and FRA inspections were done. West was the back shop where heavy repairs an... (more)

Rock Island Lines Silvis Shop is busy place in this picture. In the foreground four GP7 frames for the Conrail rebuild program. GP38-2 4309 is on one of the frame straighteners for an engine chang... (more)

It wasn't unusual for new SP power to pass through Silvis on it's way west. This GP40X caught my eye one day as I was headed home from work at the Silvis shop. I had my camera with me however the... (more)

This group of employees of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific are working their last day at the Silvis shop. At 3PM second shift will go on duty and punch out at 11PM. At 11:59PM the Rock was gone... (more)

Silvis Shop: In this photo of the back shop recently completed GP7 4508 is on the far end of the track to the left. The next unit in process 4509 has had it's white electrical cabinet set on the f... (more)

295 East enters the receiving yard at Silvis with a solid GE consist.

Iowa Railroad Company U30B 25 is about to pass under the BN near Wyanet Il.

Rock Island GP7 1293 and GP9 1318 at the west end of Silvis shop wait to go in for the GP rebuild program.

You want stripes? This is your lucky day. GP40 181, GP38-2 314 and RS3M 146 congregate at the Denison Tx. engine facility.

Rock Island GP9 is at Silvis shop to go through the rebuild program.

Caboose 999714 almost new in this photo from 1979. BNSF still uses it as a shoving platform at Topeka Ks. as of last year.

The hogger on NSW 76 is looking back for a signal from the switch crew. This engine was formerly Grand Trunk Western 8376 which NSW acquired as scrap in the 1959-60 timeframe. When the engine was ... (more)

4307 West is pulling up out of the Mississippi River valley on its way to Des Moines.