Rock Island and Gulf, Mobile & Ohio, 1960-1965, in Wallin’s Wonders

The “Alton Limited” and other GM&O trains rumbled just feet away from the home of Richard Wallin, located on Third Street near Cedar in Springfield, Illinois.

GM&O action between 1960 and 1965 includes the Kansas City Bloomington Motor Car; FAs at Corinth, MS; the only E8 and F7A on the roster; mail pick up at 80 per in Virden, IL; and GP30 / GP35 units, with Alco trucks, hauling red Commonwealth Edison coal trains.

Then, there’s Rock – some of their FAs rode on EMD trucks! Silvis Shops power includes Centercab Whitcombs and a leased U.P. Alco S4. An F2 on freight and E3 heading the “Golden State” are two examples of why this road has such appeal to the student of rare diesels. Blue Island and Joliet host runbys of E6, BL2, RS3, Re-powered FM, Aerotrain, and new U25B units.
Along the way are glimpses of CB&Q. Santa Fe and other roads. Enjoy the changing scene as the first generation begins to give way to the new order – we even see an SD40 demo.