Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Steam LocomotivesThe classifications given by railroads to their steam locomotive fleets were as varied as the machines themselves with several different designations within a particular class! The Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific steam locomotives were likewise characterized by a wide range of numerical classes (something a bit out of the norm as most Class Is of the day designated their steam fleets by letters). In any event, the information here is most certainly not a complete, all-time listing of CRI&P's steam fleet and also is merely meant to list the general types of steam locomotives operated by the railroad.
Being that the Rock Island roamed throughout most of the Heartland and the Deep South it operated a wide range of steam locomotives from beefy 2-10-2 Santa Fes and 4-8-4 Northerns to speedy 4-6-2 Pacifics and 4-4-2 Atlantics. Today, about a half-dozen CRI&P steam locomotives are known to exist. To learn more about these surviving Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific steam locomotives please click here. These classes included CRI&P's fleet of 0-6-0 switchers. These classes included CRI&P's fleet of 4-6-2 Pacifics. These classes included CRI&P's fleet of 4-6-0 Ten-Wheelers. The CRI&P's Class 36 included its fleet of 4-4-2 Atlantics.
The CRI&P's Class 22A included its fleet of 4-4-0 Americans. The CRI&P's Class 36 included its fleet of 0-8-0 switchers. These classes included CRI&P's fleet of 4-8-2 Mountains. These classes included CRI&P's fleet of 2-8-0 Consolidations. These classes included CRI&P's fleet of 2-8-2 Mikados. These classes included CRI&P's fleet of 4-8-4 Northerns. These classes included CRI&P's fleet of 2-10-2 Santa Fes.
For more reading about the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad and its steam locomotive fleet consider the book Rock Island Lines: The First Century from authors William Hayes and Arthur Large. The book gives a fine history of the Rock through its first century of operations and anyone interested in a history of the railroad and how it ultimately put together its historic system should very much enjoy the book. Also consider Perfecting the American Steam Locomotive by author J. Parker Lamb. As the name implies the book details the earliest history of steam engine technology, even before it was used in railroad applications. His book later explores the development of steam locomotive technology in the United States from the 19th through the 20th centuries, covering not only the most popular steam locomotive designs but also the most successful manufactures to build them. The book has received excellent reviews and is a great resource on steam locomotives and a fine reference tool; you should find it very useful. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing either (or both) of these books please visit the links below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.
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