Rock Island train number 509, The Rocket, is seen at Wichita Kansas in 1940. Otto Conrad Perry photo, from my collection.

Led by the uniquely painted E6A, a Rock Island passenger train heads south from LaSalle Street Station. Tom Golden photo.

Train #5, the Quad City Rocket, departs La Salle Street Station with Rock Island's Bicentennial Unit on the point.

Rock Island train from Peoria nears Chicago La Salle Street station.

Westbound #5, the Rock Island Quad Cities Rocket, pulls into Joliet Union Station with two coaches and a very dirty E unit on the point.

The Rock Island continued their own passenger service past Amtrak startup unable to afford cost of joining. The Rock Island train from the Quad Cities looks pretty nice as it rolls past.

Painted for the bicentennial, Rock Island E8 652 leads the Peoria Rocket west out of Chicago. Kodachrome slide processed in January 1977.

The Peoria Rocket pauses at the depot in Bureau. Bureau is the junction of the Peoria Branch with the mainline to Silvis.

After making a flag stop at Bureau, the Quad City Rocket departs Bureau and continues its journey to LaSalle Street Station in Chicago.

The eastbound Quad City Rocket makes a station stop at Sheffield, IL on its way from Rock Island to Chicago.

"Quad City Rocket" at La Salle Street Station in Chicago. Verne Brummel (photographer) / Dave Cramer (photo editing). Visit our websites at - ... (more)

Rock Island's westbound Quad Cities Rocket faces the low August as the negotiates the curve at New Lenox, IL. A club-diner and dome-parlor-observation "Big Ben" lend an touch of class to the litt... (more)

The Quad Cities Rocket Behind the baggage car is round-end observation dome lounge car of DRG&W heritage "Big Ben" serving breakfast. Because the train was not turned in the afternoon (o... (more)

Making its Blue Island stop

The Rock's "Peorian" departs Joliet