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Rock Island Pelicans
Rock Island Pelicans
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XG01X
Member since
July 2003
From: IL
209 posts
Rock Island Pelicans
Posted by
XG01X
on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 1:08 AM
Anyone have info on these beasts? :
Looks like a GP-7 with a RS cab and nose.
Thanks
Reply
M636C
Member since
January 2002
4,612 posts
Posted by
M636C
on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 1:58 AM
Travy,
That's exactly what they were! In 1957 and 1958 Rock Island sent five RS2s (450-454)and one RS3 (456) to EMD where they were fitted with the 16-567C engine, generator hood and radiators of a GP9. They kept the frame, cab, short hood and trucks of the Alco roadswitcher. Most of these lasted until the end of the Rock Island. I saw one at Blue Island in 1977.
Peter
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CSSHEGEWISCH
Member since
March 2016
From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
13,540 posts
Posted by
CSSHEGEWISCH
on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 12:43 PM
RI's re-powered RS2's and RS3 were in Chicago terminal service throughout the 1970's and lasted on the roster to the bitter end.
SLSF had RS2's and MKT had RS3's that were also re-powered with EMD engines and had a similar appearance. MKT's repowered RS3's lasted until the merger with UP.
MKT was probably the champion of repowering. Various Alcos and Baldwins of a variety of models were all re-powered with EMD engines. It simplified the parts situation for prime movers but I'm not sure if reliability and availability was greatly improved.
The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
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XG01X
Member since
July 2003
From: IL
209 posts
Posted by
XG01X
on Wednesday, February 16, 2005 11:46 PM
Wi***hat was me @ Blue Island!
You guys answered both questions(Frame and Service area) great info!
Thanks alot
Reply
XG01X
Member since
July 2003
From: IL
209 posts
Posted by
XG01X
on Friday, February 18, 2005 12:37 PM
Now you have the wheels in my head turning! Did any of these (any company) have second lives as industrial and shortline haulers or did they all get scrapped. Likewise is there any preserved today?
For others wonder what I'm talking about:
RI version-http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/ri/ri454abh.jpg
MKT version- http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/mkt/mkt152bbp.jpg
Reply
fuzzybroken
Member since
October 2002
From: Milwaukee, WI, US
1,384 posts
Posted by
fuzzybroken
on Saturday, March 5, 2005 11:53 AM
MKT sold a bunch of re-engined Baldwins to Chicago & North Western. They even ran 'em in red for a while... C&NW was the home to quite a bit of "junk" in its day.
-Mark
http://www.geocities.com/fuzzybroken
-Fuzzy
Fuzzy World 3
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