I rode that train in 1968 for a 5 month tour. It was actually two trains with four engines each due to the massive weight of the steel and iron from the rides and show. I remember the Rock Island portion of the trip due to the tracks not being of "passenger" train quality...with much vertical vibration as we hit each rail splice....
First location appears to where the CRIP crosses Robert Trail (Dakota County Rd 3) just south of Rosemount MN. I will guess that the second location (with the searchlight signal) is near Farmington MN. Great vid.
I wish I was a multibillionaire so I can buy the Rock Island so it wouldn't have fallen into oblivion. I would have expanded into California and the Northwest. My roster would have tunnel motor locomotives, SD45-2s, GP50s, GP60s, SD70s, SD50s, SD60, the latest locomotives, more freight cars. SP, ATSF, BN, SLSF, Conrail, ICG, MP, WP, CNW, and all the fallen flags, R.I.P, but their legacy lives on.
Amazing, the only footage of The Rock in the late 1970s on YouTube. I can never picture a BNSF or Metra train on former Rock Island tracks being called "Rock Island" when it's NOT. Those are such fakes.
those were the good ol' days when The Royal american Shows were a part of QC history. I wish they'd come back so I could share it with my kids.
steven4210 1 year ago
thank you so much for posting this I love the rock Island an have been hoping to see these tpoys of clips or videos.
aquatodabone 1 year ago
I rode that train in 1968 for a 5 month tour. It was actually two trains with four engines each due to the massive weight of the steel and iron from the rides and show. I remember the Rock Island portion of the trip due to the tracks not being of "passenger" train quality...with much vertical vibration as we hit each rail splice....
Russon1 2 years ago
cool bet the track is LOTS better than shown here lol
microbusss 2 years ago
this track still there or not?
microbusss 2 years ago
Yes, it is now used by Union Pacific as one of their mainlines south of the Twin Cities.
andrew7493 2 years ago
Thank you for posting some rare footage of my favorite RR. It would be nice to see these still around and that beautiful paint on todays technology.
Railfreak78 3 years ago
I'd like to see that paint scheme on ES44AC's as well, 'twould be cool.
dasmikey1964 2 years ago
Great video
SD457500 3 years ago
This video is a wonderful bit of railroad history - many thanks for posting!
healydj 3 years ago
Oh how I wish it had sound!! I would love to hear the Rock Island P-5's that came on the named locos...
L324RT12 3 years ago
First location appears to where the CRIP crosses Robert Trail (Dakota County Rd 3) just south of Rosemount MN. I will guess that the second location (with the searchlight signal) is near Farmington MN. Great vid.
Railnut 4 years ago 2
I wish I was a multibillionaire so I can buy the Rock Island so it wouldn't have fallen into oblivion. I would have expanded into California and the Northwest. My roster would have tunnel motor locomotives, SD45-2s, GP50s, GP60s, SD70s, SD50s, SD60, the latest locomotives, more freight cars. SP, ATSF, BN, SLSF, Conrail, ICG, MP, WP, CNW, and all the fallen flags, R.I.P, but their legacy lives on.
perswayzn62 4 years ago 2
Quite a paint job they had!
Derailedtrain666 4 years ago 2
i wish it still existed today if only they had hold on to its guns after all she was a mighty fine line....
fnm9908 4 years ago 2
Amazing, the only footage of The Rock in the late 1970s on YouTube. I can never picture a BNSF or Metra train on former Rock Island tracks being called "Rock Island" when it's NOT. Those are such fakes.
cnnw3929 4 years ago 2
Agreed. All of it.
Ryanr4449 4 years ago