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rock island gas electric locomotives

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  • Member since
    May 2011
  • 187 posts
rock island gas electric locomotives
Posted by IA and eastern on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 1:11 PM

rock island had locomotives that were cut down from gas electrics and used as branchline power. Are there plans for these locomotives? Gary

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
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Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 2:39 PM

I'm not sure if these are the engines you have in mind?

I also don't know where plans may be found but here's a representative photo of the AB6 that has been "modified" (more like customized) with an EMD-built cab. Two models were built by EMC for the Rock Island in June, 1940.

 CRIP_AB6 by Edmund, on Flickr

It may help others to visualize the beast.

More Here:

https://www.american-rails.com/ab6.html

 

Good Luck, Ed

  • Member since
    December 2017
  • From: I've been everywhere, man
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Posted by SD70Dude on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 3:39 PM

He's probably thinking of these:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/29412635@N04/8569790630/

I don't know about plans, but these were mentioned in a Classic Trains article around 10 years ago along with some more photos.  IIRC they lasted a surprisingly long time since they were among the only units that could operate on certain branchlines with very light bridges.  

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

  • Member since
    December 2017
  • From: I've been everywhere, man
  • 4,269 posts
Posted by SD70Dude on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 3:48 PM

This article (J. David Ingles's "Christine and the Mongeese") has some more information on the Rock Island "Baggage Car Locomotives", which initially had distillate engines but were later rebuilt with Hamilton and Caterpillar diesels.  Two remained in service until 1962.  

https://www.trains.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Rock-Island-Diesel-Menagerie.pdf

Greetings from Alberta

-an Articulate Malcontent

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
  • 16,367 posts
Posted by gmpullman on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 4:11 PM

SD70Dude
He's probably thinking of these:

Yes, I agree. I was thinking the EMC units and forgot about those.

Thanks, Ed

  • Member since
    March 2013
  • 427 posts
Posted by Colorado Ray on Tuesday, May 17, 2022 6:31 PM

gmpullman

I'm not sure if these are the engines you have in mind?

I also don't know where plans may be found but here's a representative photo of the AB6 that has been "modified" (more like customized) with an EMD-built cab. Two models were built by EMC for the Rock Island in June, 1940.

 CRIP_AB6 by Edmund, on Flickr

It may help others to visualize the beast.

More Here:

https://www.american-rails.com/ab6.html

 

Good Luck, Ed

 

 

I recall reading somewhere years ago that the Rock Island used these cabbed B units on the Rocky Mountain Rocket which split into two sections (one to Denver and one to Colorado Springs) at Limon, CO.

The picture looks like it was taken at Joliet, IL after the unit had been demoted to commuter service.

 

Regards, Ray

 

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