RI RS-3 assignments?

Stockdale63.4 May 21, 2012

  1. Stockdale63.4

    Stockdale63.4 New Member

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    Hello all,

    I've picked up an Atlas RS-3 for grins, possibly for use as a switcher on a modular switching layout set in the early '50s. However, it seems like the RS-3s at that time were all assigned to Chicago-Joliet commuter service. Could anyone tell me if there were RS-3s actually working freight on the system during that timeframe? I almost fell for the same trap and bought a H15-44 in HO scale but it turned out, as best I can tell, that the two units the Rock owned were in commuter service well into the '60s before being relegated to yard work in the Chicago area.

    Thank you...
     
  2. fireball_magee

    fireball_magee TrainBoard Member

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    455 to 475 were normal RS 3's the series 485 to 499 were in Suburban service.Lloyd Stagners Rock Island in color 1948 to 1964 shows two RS 3's with a GP 7 in Memphis. The Suburban RS units were used on weekends to power freights from Chicago to Peoria and the Quad Cities. The H15-44's were used in Commuter service and re engined. Pics in this book show 400 in Carrie Ave yard being used on local freight in August 58.By 61 they had been re engined and were regulated to freight service.
     
  3. friscobob

    friscobob Staff Member

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    I seem to remember Rock Island locals west of Joliet running on a switch job using an RS3.....it was usually a night run.
     
  4. fireball_magee

    fireball_magee TrainBoard Member

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    At night they would use some of the Commuter engines IF they could be used again in the AM. Peter Hedgpeth (sp?) has a book about being a terminal trainmaster in the Joliet Chicago area. Its a scream hearing how the Rock did things. There is a story where they stole some power from a local for a road train then had to steal power for the locals crew. Things sure have not changed much over the years.
     
  5. rock$sland586

    rock$sland586 TrainBoard Member

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    The 400, 401 and the five BL2's all also used in freight service on weekends, most apt to go to Peoria on trains #45 and 46 or passenger service. After the advent of the push/pull trains the 400 and 401 lost their cab signals (BL2's retired by then) and became yard engines. In later years after the RS3's were retired from suburban service the E8's that replaced them were used in three and four unit sets on freight trains to Silvis. They were restricted to 1500 tons per unit to save the main generators in the event a freight engineer forgot to make manual backward transition. The E7's were not normally used in freight service as the mechanical dept didn't consider their aged electrical systems able. By the '70's the remaining freight RS3's (470-475) went to Chgo Terminal as switch engines. They sometimes made Peoria trips as middle units as did the C415's.
     

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