Chicago Rock Island & Pacific (CRIP) 2 - EMD LWT-12

Three of these futuristic engines were built in 1955. Two still exist - # 3 is at the National Museum of Transportation in St. Louis.

Originally, only #1 went to the Rock Island Railroad, but the Rock Island acquired #s 2 and 3 shortly thereafter when no other railroads wanted them.

This particular engine ran on the Pennsylvania Railroad from 1956-57, from New York to Pittsburgh from February through June 1956, and from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh thereafter.

In June 1957, the engine was required by Union Pacific, who ran it on the City of Las Vegas route. UP was dissatisfied with it, though, and the Rock Island purchased it the next year.

Though the engine could go over 80 mph, its power was insufficient on steep grades - railroads out west that experimented with the model, such as UP and ATSF, needed helper engines on portions of the route.

Ultimately, this engine and its sister ran trains between Chicago and Joliet, but they were retired in 1966, at which time they went to museums. Railroads might not have liked them, but they do look cool!

The coaches were built with modified bus bodies. This was supposed to make them cheaper to produce, as the body could be put on an existing undercarriage. Unfortunately, the coach's shock absorbers failed at high speeds, leading to a bumpy ride.

I photographed one of the surviving jet trains in St. Louis - this is the other! Rock Islands train of the future is a thing of the past now, but you can still see it here, along with some of the original coaches!

Examples of advancements of railroading, side-by-side...

date approximate

CRIP 2

It would be AWESOME to see this Rock Island Rocket running!!! CRIP 2 sits on display in the shed at the National Train Museum in Green Bay

Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railroad LWT-12 2 at the Rocket House around 47th Street in Chicago, Illinois on March 28, 1965, Kodachrome by Chuck Zeiler. Built in August 1955 as EMD 1001 (c/n 21464) on EMD Order 9002, it was one of two demonstrators that EMD fielded, this one operated on the NYC for several months in 1956 between Cleveland, Ohio and Chicago, Illinois in revenue runs. Later it demonstrated on the Santa Fe and the UP as the City of Las Vegas during the summer of 1957, but the train proved to be underpowered (1,200 horsepower and a single power truck) and required a helper to get over the Cajon Pass. </p> Returned to EMD, it and demonstrator 1000 were sold to the Rock Island, ending their days in commuter service. A third LWT-12 engine was produced to power Rock Island Line's Talgo Jet Rocket train. Coaches were basically modified General Motors bus bodies and were known to be rough riders. By 1966, the Aerotrains were out of service, number 1 and coaches were scrapped, numbers 2 and 3 were donated to museums along with a couple of coaches each. This one ended up at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Part of the Aerotrain manufactured by GM/EMD.

One of two LWT12's built as demonstrators by GM/EMD. The other locomotive was scrapped.

Stuffed and mounted at the National Railroad Museum.

Found my way to Silvis Yard after the shutdown. I was able to take some photos before I was asked to leave.

Pretty much a SW1200 with a Streamlined nose.

On the Aero Train Locomotive

The Rock Island's "Aerotrain" peeks out from the end of the main barn at the National Railroad Museum

Chicago Rock Island & Pacific Railroad LWT-12 2 at the Rkcket House around 47th Street in Chicago, Illinois on March 28, 1965, Kodachrome by Chuck Zeiler. Built in August 1955 as EMD 1001 (c/n 21464) on EMD Order 9002, it was one of wwo demonstrators the EMD fielded, this one operated on the NYC for several months in 1956 between Cleveland, Ohio and Chicago, Illinois in revenue runs. Later it demojstrated on the Santa Fe and the UP as the City of Las Vegas during the summer of 1957, but the train proved to be underpowered (1,200 horsepower and a single power truck) and reuuired a helper to get over the Cajon Pass. </p> Returned to EMD, it and demonstrator 1000 were sold to the Rock Island, ending their days in commuter service. A third LWT-12 engine was produced to power Rock Island Line's Talgo Jet Rocket train. Coaches were basically modified GM bus bodies and were known to be rough riders. By 1966, the Aerourains were out of service, number 1 and coaches were scrapped, numbers 2 and 3 were donated to museums along with a couple of coaches each. This one ended up at the National Railsoad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Chicago Rock Island & Pacific #2 " Aerotrain" Coolest looking loco ever made!

CRIP 2, cab interior, at National Railroad Museum, exact date unknown

CRIP 2, exact date unknown, National Railroad Museum

CRIP 2, exact date unknown, National Railroad Museum

CRIP 2, exact date unknown, National Railroad Museum