Midwest Regionals in the 1980s & ’90s

In the 1980’s, the Midwest’s rail scene was one of many colors and varieties. Not only were there several class one railroads, but regionals and short lines flourished as well. Videographer Bob Rivard spent days documenting four different regionals from the early 1980’s to the early 1990’s. This historic footage captures several sights and sounds you are sure to enjoy!

Starting on the Chicago Central and Pacific’s Iowa Division, you will love the sound of big sets of first generation EMD GP locomotives through the rolling landscape of western Illinois and eastern Iowa. Many trains are led with engines still wearing the original ICG paint scheme, along with CC&P red and some ex Milwaukee Road units.

Then we head to central Iowa where Bob catches a Cedar Rapids and Iowa City train led with its attractive yellow and gray GP9’s. Before all the blue and gold SD40-2’s, the Dakota Minnesota and Eastern rostered ex Chicago & North Western SD9’s and Milwaukee Road SD10’s. We see several DM&E trains on the east end near Waseca and Owatonna, Minnesota. Finally, we head to Wisconsin to see the Alco powered Green Bay and Western. Yard switching, road trains and even a ride on the City of Midland 41 rail and car ferry across Lake Michigan are featured. You will love the sites and sounds of these Alco locomotives in several varieties moving across the Dairy State!

to revisit the 1980’s and 1990’s with C. vision Productions to enjoy what regional railroading was like in this unique time era.