Producer: Green Frog
Locations: Joliet, Chicago, Kansas, Iowa..
Timeframe: 1950s- 1977
Length: 26 minutes
Sources: Emery Gulash, Jerry Carson, John M. Koch
Here is one chapter from the large, All Aboard boxset by Green Frog. This is an abbreviated version of Green Frog’s, The Rock Island Line full-length show. Edited for PBS television.
Hosted by Howard Goodwin. Frank Kyper adds additional commentary.
Excellent film quality. The main cinematographer is Emery Gulash. All color. Emery and Jerry Carson with 16mm films. Some John Koch film, as well. Narrated by Bob Carrera.
Soundtrack are dubbed train sounds and background music.
The show begins in rural areas. Alco FA off US Highway 59.
Greensburg, Kansas with The Imperial. Chicago to Los Angeles! Long distance is also seen at Denver.
At Davenport, Iowa. A GP40 376 is crossing the bridge.
The Harrihan Bridge over the Mississippi River. GP7 units with 1219 in 1969. Jerry Carson film.
At Bureau Jct. The Southern 4501 Excursion turnaround point. A Rock Island freight, behind two geeps, meets the steam train. This Chicago origin steam powered special was chased in 1973.
Joliet in 1977. A red E unit shoves on a Chicago commuter train.
ROCK blue 4509, 4502 are newly rebuilt GP7 locomotives.
This caboose was a steam era one. Check that 40 foot Pacific Fruit Express reefer.
All Aboard: Rock Island Line
A fast paced and tightly edited half hour made for TV show. Looks good and fine narrative.
As with the full-length version. There is too much time spent on the Southern powered excursion. The Rock Island needs greater screen time. However, it is not as much compared to the one hour version.
Nevertheless, it is an excellent production.
Vintage Rock Island is on the uncommon side of train videos. So, a bump up for scarcity.
Rating: 4 1/2 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 