Rocky mountain rocket and Zephyr.

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

Does anyone have info and pics of the Rock Island Rocky mountain rocket and Cbq Zephyr Rocket? (1940 to 1960).

2

Gidday, [#welcome] to the forum.

Do these help ?

http://www.rits.org/www/equipment/dieselpix/trainsta.GIF

http://www.rits.org/www/equipment/dieselpix/RIE8A.JPEG

http://www.rits.org/www/equipment/dieselpix/rmr.gif

http://www.rits.org/www/equipment/willson/wilson.html

http://www.vickeryart.com/associated/smith/ulrockymountainrocket-rockisland-enlarge.jpg

http://www.highlandsstationllc.com/Gallery_files/Rocket.gif

http://www.american-rails.com/rocky-mountain-rocket.html

There’s more on Google images.

Cheers, the Bear.

3

Wow…some of us could probably deliver a 5 volume set of information on these trains. Anything you are seeking, specifically?

4

I’m actually looking to have the Peoria Rocket on my layout in the future. Can anyone recommend a good HO E-6 or other EMD with DCC. I’d like one in the multiple toned red strip with metal finish. I saw one a while back at my LHS but it was all red nose with metal towards the rear which I think is the late 60’s ish paint. I’m looking for the 50’s multi tone red and metal finish. BLI has a nice one in N scale but I’m looking for HO.

5

The Rock Island started repainting engines into the all-maroon with white stripes in the mid-fifties IIRC, and introduced a simplified version of the original Rocket passenger diesel scheme about the same time, with a red front 1/3 or so, with the rest grayish white. I think all E-units had been repainted into that or some other simplified paint scheme by about 1960.

Life-Like (pre-Walthers) made E-7 and E-8 units in the original Rocket paint scheme, not sure if they did their E-6 units in that scheme or not. They weren’t DCC equipped but aren’t difficult to do a hard-wire installation on.

6

The aforementioned Proto 2000 E6 is an excellent possibility. It has the two-tone red front one-third with the rear two thirds in a silver paint finish. They will probably prove to be rare and hard to find. They come up on Ebay from time to time. Conversion of these units to DCC is very convenient and quickly done. Good luck.

Ray

7

Yes, I just bought a E7 and E8 in Proto 2000. I can not find a E6 and when I do they are a lot higher. I bought a Cary metal E6 and painted it. I am under way of putting decals on. I used a Athearn SD45T-2 frame and motor with DCC with sound. The metal worked out well to simulate stainless steel. I polished the Cary body with Mothers and cleaned it with vinegar. Taped up the area that is suppose to be stainless steel before painting the maroon . I also did it with a Burlington Route E7. The results are very nice!