Northwest Daylight's re-opening the 2001 thread on Harriman coaches, got me to wondering if there has ever been a list of the surviving Rock Island commuter coaches. A number of them have survived and some are even in service for various museum/tourist lines.

Les

Yes, but you have to find the archived versions of the websites that hosted them.

From the Rock Island Technical Society:

https://web.archive.org/web/20090106043 ... sdisp.html

From the Railroad Preservation Index:

https://web.archive.org/web/20210830123 ... nd-pacific

Here are a few RYPN threads that mentioned these cars-

This thread noted some 2500 series cars owned by the Texas State Railroad:
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=12225&start=30

The sale of 2538 was mentioned here:
viewtopic.php?t=34227

Topic drift.
When I read about the RI cars, I am reminded of their nickname as Jessie James cars.

Back to the topic at hand.

Wesley

Relating to this is the whereabouts of the two RI cars that operated on the Reader Railroad (2534 & 2549) - if they still exist. The following item appeared in the February 1980 "Arkansas Railroader" - newsletter of the Arkansas Railroad Club (Little Rock Chapter, NRHS). Anyone know of Dr. Lee and his railroad equipment?

- Alan Maples

CRIP 2537 survives as Red's Train Shop at Trainland USA in Colfax, Iowa.
http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5668464

NS 3322 -

Thanks for the photo. The RITS List mentioned above dates to 1998 and I don't believe that the Railroad Preservation Index referenced, is presently being updated, or is even active. So, perhaps Rock Island 2537 could be the first entry on a current list of these cars that still survive.

Les

no, Wil Hata is no longer updating his Railway Preservation Index, the following thread has an explanation (at the end) as to why: http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=45563

If needed there is a Web Archive of that page:
https://web.archive.org/web/20210830114 ... y-railroad

The Whitewater Valley Railroad in Connersville, IN has restored a Rock Island commuter coach and uses it regular on its excursions. I don't have pics or a car number handy, though.

phillman -

Thanks for that info. Good to hear that Whitewater Valley has restored a Rock Island car. The Monticello Railway Museum recently restored their RI coach as shown here:

https://www.mrym.org/news/rock-island-coach-restoration

As can be seen, the restoration of number 2541 was a major project. Hopefully, other surviving Rock Island commuter cars are also being well taken care of.

Les

Below is the list of cars that are still around, at least with what current information I've been able to find.

2505 - Indiana Railway Museum/French Lick Scenic, French Lick, IN
2507 - Midland Railway, Baldwin City, KS
2511 - Indiana Railway Museum/French Lick Scenic, French Lick, IN
2515 - Eureka Springs & North Arkansas, Eureka Springs, AR
2522 - Indiana Railway Museum/French Lick Scenic, French Lick, IN
2523 - Eureka Springs & North Arkansas, Eureka Springs, AR
2524 - Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL
2527 - Hocking Valley Scenic, Nelsonville, OH
2528 - Whitewater Valley RR, Connersville, IN
2529 - Minnesota Transportation Museum, St. Paul, MN
2531 - Galveston, TX
2537 - Trainland U. S. A., Colfax, IA
2541 - Monticello Railway Museum, Monticello, IL
2545 - Indiana Railway Museum/French Lick Scenic, French Lick, IN
2554 - Tutto Italiano Restaurant, Chicago, IL
2555 - Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL
2556 - Indiana Railway Museum/French Lick Scenic, French Lick, IN
2557 - Indiana Railway Museum/French Lick Scenic, French Lick, IN
2560 - Eureka Springs & North Arkansas, Eureka Springs, AR
2561 - Galveston, TX
2565 - Galveston, TX
2570 - Hocking Valley Scenic, Nelsonville, OH
2571 - Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL
2572 - Stoby's Restaurant, Russellville, AR
2573 - Eureka Springs & North Arkansas, Eureka Springs, AR
2582 - Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL
2584 - Boone & Scenic Valley, Boone, IA
2593 - Eureka Springs & North Arkansas, Eureka Springs, AR
2595 - Whitewater Valley RR, Connersville, IN
2602 - Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL
2604 - Minnesota Transportation Museum, St. Paul, MN
2607 - Hocking Valley Scenic, Nelsonville, OH
2608 - Minnesota Transportation Museum, St. Paul, MN
2612 - Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL
???? - Boone, IA (Displayed with CO&E 18)
???? - Uniontown, PA (Two cars, both of which have since gone elsewhere)
???? - Uniontown, PA (See above car)
???? - Buttel Railroad Museum, Amarillo, TX
???? - Ferris, TX
???? - Keller, TX
???? - Texas State Railroad, Rusk, TX (TSR 40)
???? - Texas State Railroad, Rusk, TX (TSR 41)
???? - Texas State Railroad, Rusk, TX (TSR 42)
???? - Texas State Railroad, Rusk, TX (TSR 43)
???? - Texas State Railroad, Rusk, TX (TSR 44)
???? - Texas State Railroad, Rusk, TX (TSR 45)

According the archived Rock Island disposition list, there are nine of the El Reno Auction cars unaccounted for. 2506, 2525, 2538, 2550, 2551, 2558, 2569, 2589, 2590. It is likely that nine of the cars with unknown numbers are these cars. Additionally, there are five cars that are currently elsewhere on that list, 2502, 2534, 2540, 2549 & 2553. Some of these could make up the remaining three unknowns.

Wil -

Thanks for the updated list, including the location of Rock Island coaches where their original R.I. numbers are not known.


Les

https://www.facebook.com/groups/AOTTORC ... 1414164604
"Former Rock Island passenger cars that was on display at Stoby’s Restaurant in Russellville, Arkansas are getting a new lease on life. Nearby shortline, the Dardanelle & Russellville Railroad, acquired the two cars for preservation. The D&R has no plans as of yet for the cars."
Not sure what the other car number is. Patti Kuburich Stobaugh photo.

PMC -

Thanks for the news and photo of Rock Island commuter coach # 2572. Sounds like a good move for the car. From the higher roofline of the second car, I think that it might be a piece of Rock Island heavyweight equipment and not a 2500 series coach. Perhaps someone has some further info on it.

Les

Les. I found this photo on RRPicture archives, not an open window "Capone" car obviously, it is numbered 96047. Not sure why they painted it green, unless it was in MOW service as a camp car: http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPi ... id=5742188