Alco C424/C430 on Rock Island?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I have a model I have tentatively identified as either an Alco C424 or C430. It is painted in Rock Island red/yellow paint scheme, yet I can’t find any info that Rock had either Alco C424 or C430. Is this the model maker’s fantasy, or did the Rock have these engines?

2

I had heard from several sources that RI had C430’s on order to be delivered in the red and yellow colors, but prospective merger partner and lessor UP vetoed the purchase. Apparently C415’s were ok, but UP had an allergic reaction to the road units.
You likely have a Tyco model, though, so be prepsred for frustration if you plan on operating the unit.

Tom Klimczak
Lemont, IL

3

Tom - I’m impressed, yes it is a junky Tyco model from my childhood. Not knowing what it is has been driving me nuts, and the Diesel Cyclopedia didn’t have it. I assume, then, that Tyco didn’t really care what road, number, and color scheme they slapped on their models?

In other words, matching up a prototype would be pointless (while the number was listed in the Rock Island roster at http://www.simpson.edu/~RITS/equipment/diesels.html, it was under a different engine altogether).

Thanks - Jer, St. Johns, MI