| CRI&P E8 649 in the dead line at 47th Street, Chicago, Illinois, May 1979, photo by Chuck Zeiler. Number 649 was built in July 1951 (c/n 14281) on EMD Order 2032A. It is seen here in the dead line just south of the Rocket House at 47th Street. By this date, these locomotives had been replaced by F40PH's and the Rock Island's commuter service was being operated by the Regional Transit Authority which owned the F40PH's, and was in the process of replacing the Rock's 1920's era commuter coaches, in some cases, borrowing equipment from other RTA routes (C&NW and Milwaukee Road bi-level coaches were seen on the Rock Island for a while). Keeping the 649 company is E8 653 and several other unidentified E8's. |