Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific 938 was under steam for the very last time on 16 September 1953, just before proceeding to Chicago's LaSalle Street Station for a Press Announcement of Rock Island's attaining its 100% Diesel goal.
Locomotive 938 had been specially painted and striped for the event. Later in the day, 938 returned to storage at Blue Island. The accession of 4-6-2 Pacific Type Locomotive 938 marks a significant milestone for the Museum's collection, as it represents one of the most common passenger-service wheel arrangements. Photo by R. W Buhrmaster.
Illustration: ILLINOIS RAILWAY MUSEUM
"Rock Island Line".
Sung by Lonnie Donegan (1961).
Available on YouTube at
The following Text is from Wikipedia - the free encyclopaedia.
"Rock Island Line" is an American blues/folk song, first recorded by John Lomax in 1934, as sung by inmates in an Arkansas State Prison, and later popularised by Lead Belly. Many versions have been recorded by other artists, most significantly the World-Wide hit version in the Mid-1950s by Lonnie Donegan. The song is ostensibly about The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad.
The chorus to the old song reads:
The Rock Island Line is a mighty good road
The Rock Island Line is the road to ride
The Rock Island Line is a mighty good road
If you want to ride you gotta ride it like you find it
Get your ticket at the station for the Rock Island Line
The verses tell a humorous story about a train operator who smuggled pig iron through a toll gate by claiming all he had on board was livestock.
The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad was a Class I Railroad in The United States. It was also known as The Rock Island Line, or, in its final years, The Rock.
It's a mighty fine line ...
ReplyDeleteJohn. You know ALL THE WORDS of ALL THE SONGS that I allude to.
ReplyDeleteYou're not an Old Rocker, are you ? Maybe with a Washboard stashed away in the garage ? Teddy Boy haircut and Edwardian Coats with Velvet Collars ?
Good to hear from you.
Per Ardua Ad Astra.