The
Route of the Rockets  | It
was initially chartered to connect the Mississippi River to the Illinois &
Michigan Canal. Then Henry Farnham convinced the owners that by-passing the canal
and running straight to a developing Chicago was the way to go and in 1852, the
Chicago & Rock Island Railroad began service. Four years later, it
was the first railroad to bridge the Mississippi River and began its eventual
expansion into an 8,000-mile system serving thirteen states. The Rock Island's
history is a series of financial shenanigans, technical innovation, government
intrusion, unique equipment, and its ultimate bankruptcy and liquidation. |
The
Rock Island was also responsible for the development and growth of many communities,
including the outlying neighborhoods of Chicago, its southwest suburbs, and the
Illinois River Valley. Today,
many pieces of “the Rock” survive under numerous operators. Few railroads
can claim as colorful or interesting a history as the Rock Island. |  |
This
Windows™-compatible CD-ROM
features over 250 digital images of steam and diesel locomotives, freight and
passenger trains, and stations, all digitally converted from the Blackhawk Chapter
archives for only $12.
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