Rock Island Locomotive

I received a photo of a futuristic looking streamlined locomotive with Rock Island on the side. I presume it is from the 1930s and wonder if anyone can lead me to a source of more information. With thanks in advance VIN

Reply to
Nils Nelson
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I can think of two possibilities. If it is indeed 1930's, it is probably one of the original EMD "TA" locomotives used on the early "Rockets". These looked more or less like an "F" unit, with a more sloping nose, and more low-slung, riding on two axle MCB type trucks.

The other possibility is 1960s. The Rock Island wound up with one (or 2?) of the GM "Aerotrain" sets after they didn't attract any other buyers. A picture of these is at:

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of the ex-RI Aerotrains is now at the museum in Green Bay. Geezer.

Reply to
Geezer

Rock Island (and other roads) had several "futuristic" looking locos. Post the pic to alt.binaries.pictures.rail, and ask for help there.

Reply to
Wolf Kirchmeir

I received a photo of a futuristic looking streamlined locomotive with Rock Island on the side. I presume it is from the 1930s and wonder if anyone can lead me to a source of more information. With thanks in advance VIN

--------------------------------------------------------- Might be GM's Aerotrain.

Joe Sherlock's website has pix of the Aerotrain (in PRR colors) and story:

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Bill Bill's Railroad Empire
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Reply to
BillsRREmpire

Those always make me think of two things: those "Your Atomic Kitchen of Tomorrow" articles in early '50s Popular Mechanics and such; and Edsels.

Makes you realize where Roger Smith was comning from, and why Flint is a virtual ghost town.

Reply to
Steve Caple

Reply to
Nils Nelson

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