Train Action on the Illinois Division 1975-1980 The Films of Roger M. Koenig Volume 3
FROM 8MM AND SUPER 8 FILM WITH ORIGINAL SOUND
“The Rock Island Line was a mighty fine line.” The musical ditty aside, there was something special about the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad that set it apart from other rail carriers. Maybe it was the image of an underdog, surrounded on all sides by larger, more powerful—and richer—railroads. Maybe it was its short, fast passenger trains—appropriately named “Rockets”—barreling across the Western Prairies. Maybe it was the granger railroad, quietly and effectively going about serving its customers.
Roger Koenig grew up in Brainerd on Chicago’s South Side. It was the first stop at ground level on the Rock Island’s Suburban Branch after leaving the main line at Gresham Junction. He often rode into the city on its trains. Roger worked for two summers as an office boy for the railroad, and built his first home in Oak Forest on the main line to Joliet. His summer home was near the Peoria Branch. No wonder the Rock Island became his favorite railroad.
This is Roger’s fast-moving movie kaleidoscope of The Rock during its final six years, from 1974 until shortly before the railroad shut down forever on March 31st, 1980.
