Wheels of Progress - A 1950 Rock Island Railroad Film Pt 1

This film was produced by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific (Rock Island) Railroad in 1950 to educate customers how their railroad operates and what services are offered as well as new innovations the railroad has incorporated. This film is a great capture of railroading at its finest with both steam and early diesel locomotive power shown.

The Rock Island Railroad... Home of some of the fastest passenger trains in the US known as "The Rockets" that traveled up to 100mph out of Chicago. The 1950's looked promising for the railroad, but steadily the overall decline of both freight and passenger traffic by rail led to the decline of The Rock Island. Between 1975 and 1980, the Railroad went went through three bankruptcies and finally ceased operations and was liquidated.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• railroads
• trains
• Rock
• Island
• transportation
• steam
• diesel
• locomotives

[strobx1]

This film took place in the 50's and early 60's. Cars were made of METAL and they did not crumble like today's plastic imitations!!! As a Rock Iand Fan, I am truly sorry that some people are soooo short sighted that they give this a thumbs down, And Speed? Back then Trains did(and still do go THAT fast. Why not gawgal over the 1953 Buick Roadmaster? Of course some folks don't know what one of those is except a Lexus. I give this 10 thumbs UP!!!!!!!!!

[macdogq]

So sad we have given it all away. How sad we choose to decline.

[Bhousm76]

@Trolleymoose dude, its history....relax. just because it couldn't compete doesn't mean we should forget about it. The Rock gave people jobs, it transported people and frieght. im sure there are people out there that would like to relive those moments travelling into chicago, peoria, or joliet on the Rock.

[Trolleymoose]

This is bullshit. The Rock went out of business because it could not compete with other forms of transportation. The Rock's passenger service was even worse. Take this off U-Tube! NOW!

[061369317]

@Dogsledfan For those who 'manage' to have jobs in...hell ? Seems like there is some contradiction here, dude. If RR's are so ''hellish place' to work on, no one would 'manage' to find a job with them. How many future railroaders have been queuing up to get a job with a RR since that 'hellish' Stagger's act, notwithstanding those who had been before and fought to stay ?

[pele6922]

WalMart should fly the Chinese flag outside all of it stores.

[justdoitasshole]

"Mmmmm, gravy...and lots of it!"

[tomnaro]

the good ole days. look at the kids in the begining "yes sir" bet you wont hear that many times at a table with mom and dad anymore. first youd have to eat at the table and then the kids would have to respect their parents. to bad those days are fading away in to mere memory.

[georei]

Neat to see the predecessor of the container ships

[veronicafan2000]

Well, now we can enjoy the Rock Island once again! :-) Iowa Interstate 513 has just rolled onto the rails, wearing the same colors as the F units at 00:50