by Tony Cook and Randy Keller/photos as noted
Rock Island motive power acquisitions in the early 1970s included two six-axle diesel locomotive additions. From General Electric came 18 U30C units (4582–4599); and Electro-Motive Division (EMD) delivered 10 SD40-2s. Both show fourth quarter 1973 build dates. The set of 10 “Dash 2” EMDs is the focus of this presentation and they return in the following article showing their second act with Illinois Central Gulf. The SD40-2s received 4700-series numbering shared with the 1970 delivery of 20 GP40s (see Diesel Era First Quarter 2023). These 1973 additions came in the recently established red with yellow ends and large white speed lettering that appeared with the 1970 GP40s.
ABOVE: Rock Island 4790 at Denver, Colo., on July 31, 1976. The road number resides below the cab vent; this placement was retained for the opposite side. —John Tudek photo, Paul Wester collection
ABOVE: RI 4792 at Minneapolis, Minn., in June 1974. The trailing unit, RI 4157, is an odd mate even in the 1970s. From this vantage, the walkways can be seen, showing red with anti-skid treatment. —George A. LaPray photo, Kevin EuDaly collection
ABOVE: RI 4793 at Fort Worth, Texas, on January 27, 1974. Rock Island 432, wearing a solid maroon scheme, shares the yard with these then-new six-axle units. Identifying Rock Island’s handrail color can be a challenge. The stanchions are obviously in matching red hue, while the railings appear to be gray (on some prior schemes, you’ll find a mix of gray with silver ends). Note the grab irons are gray, as is part of the coupler cut lever. —Bill Phillips photo, Kevin EuDaly collection
ABOVE: RI 4796 and 4710 at Fort Worth, Texas, on July 6, 1975. Wind deflectors/rearview mirrors appear across the collection of images; however, the cab shades seem to be hit-and-miss members of cab side details from what this collection of images shows. —Bill Phillips photo, Paul Wester collection
