The Rock Island Railroad ceased operation on March 31, 1980, yet in May 1985, some five years later, the Union Pacific was storing some RI power (and some Western Pacific power as well) in North Little Rock, Arkansas. A trio of Rock Island GP40s, 4703, 357 and 353, three WP U23Bs (2261, 2253 and 2265) and, at the far end, RI GP40 4710, sat in limbo as the UP decided what to do with these excess locomotives. To see this deadline from the other end, with RI 4710 in a unique paint scheme, click HERE.
