I'm doing some research for a pal - here's his Rock Island question (a direct quote - poor grammar and all) " i'm planning a move which will give me a larger space for a layout. my "prototype" is the rock island circa 1948-1952, so my plan is to model the illinois side of the mississippi on one side of the room and iowa on the other. i hope to make one of my peninsulas the rock island yard on what's now called arsenal island, and separate that peninsula from the other "legs" by modeling the mississippi's muddy water. i've been trying to find some pictures of that yard with no success. i've been to the rock island technical society website and there's nothing there that i could find referring to that yard. " Can anybody out there point us in the right direction?
Rock Island Technical Society Have him join RITS. It has nominal cost, excellent journals and gives him access to members that are knowledgeable about the CRIP and supports the efforts to maintain and preserve its history. There is no free lunch, if the effort is not made then there is no historically accurate record preserved for him and posterity. Good-Luck, PJB
Hey all. The Arsenal "Yard" was not RI property. It is a part on the Island that goes to building 299 IIRC and then to a spur where coal used to get unloaded. The yard ( when i was still in the reserves) was 3 tracks and there was what looked like a tower. I think most of the tracks except for 1 has been taken up. Now for you friends 1948 layout you would obviously have a few more tracks as the Arsenal was still booming after WWII and gearing up for Korea. I can suggest trying to locate a history of The Rock Island Arsenal on the web. It may or may not have maps as this is still an active Army facility. I live in the area and can try to help with any questions!
