The Rock Island Railroad diesel roster was a mix of EMD, GE, Alco, and Baldwin power although the railroad tended to stick with the reliability of GEs and EMDs for its second generation power. For a complete/all-time Rock Island railroad diesel roster please click here. This list of surviving CRI&P diesel locomotives will be categorized by original numbers the railroad assigned its units and where they are today, whether in operation, cosmetically restored, or in some state of preservation at railroad museums and tourist railroads. Also, just as something to keep in mind if you are not aware, while some locomotives may be painted/preserved in CRI&P colors this does not necessarily mean that they are of CRI&P heritage (and likewise, some locomotives may be of Rock Island heritage that are not in Rock Island colors).
American Locomotive Company (Alco)
· Alco RS1 #743: Preserved by the Oklahoma Railway Museum as Rock Island #743.
· Alco RS1 #745: Preserved by the Louisiana Railway Heritage Trust as Rock Island #745.
· Alco RSD1 #747: In operation on the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad as #41.
· Alco RSD1 #749: Privately owned and preserved as US Army Transportation Corps #8006.
Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
· EMD E6A #630: Preserved by the Midland Railway Historical Society as Rock Island #630.
· EMD E6A #652: Preserved by the Midland Railway Historical Society as Rock Island #652.
· EMD SW8 #838: Preserved by the Danbury Railway Museum as Pfizer #1.
· EMD SW900m #550: Preserved by the Colorado Railroad Museum as Coors Brewery #988.
· EMD GP7 #1223: Preserved by the Minnesota Transportation Museum as Soo #559.
· EMD GP18 #1349: Privately owned and preserved as Central California Traction #1795.
Also, it should be noted that some former Rock Island switcher and road units continue to remain in some state of operation and in active revenue service with Class Is, Regionals, shortlines, or leasing companies. To learn more about the disposition of these locomotives please click here to visit The Diesel Shop.
While this list will continually be updated it certainly does not completely cover every surviving unit, which was on the Rock Island Railroad diesel roster. So, if you know of any other survivors out there, whether they are parked and gleaming in a museum or sitting out in the weeds along a forgotten siding please let me know so we can keep this list growing, and you will be given full credit for your help. For more information on the all types of classic diesel locomotives consider the book The American Diesel Locomotive from author Brian Solomon. The book studies everything from classic to newer diesel locomotive models. In the entire book is a great resource and you shouldn’t be disappointed with it, not to mention that it is loaded with photos (many in color)! If you're interested in perhaps purchasing this book please visit The Railroad Diamond by clicking the tab in the menu to your left marked "TRD Store".
