The Rock Island Railroad Video Series # 1: Two videos

Two 20-minute videos will start the first of our Rock Island Railroad Video Series giving us a look back at an important part of Rock Island’s history--a part that made our city known throughout the nation.

The first--The Rock Island Lines History--gives an overview of the railroad’s history, from its founding in 1847, through its broad expansion to the western and southern states, and with its financial ups and downs which led its ultimate bankruptcy in 1980.

The second--1950s “The Rocky Mountain Rocket” Rock Island Railroad Chicago to Denver Passenger Train--will invite you to take a trip in a Rock Island Road passenger car in the mid-20^th century, an absolutely delightful look at what it would have been like to explore various tourist destinations along the famous "Rocky Mountain Rocket" line. The streamlined “Rocket” trains (numbers 7 and 8) ran from Chicago, Illinois to Denver and Colorado Springs, Colorado from 1939 to 1966. The journey was scheduled as 19.5 hours.