Des Moines Rocket

Des Moines Rocket
File:BSicon KBHFa.svg Chicago File:BSicon HST.svg Englewood File:BSicon BHF.svg Joliet File:BSicon HST.svg Ottawa File:BSicon HST.svg La Salle-Peru File:BSicon HST.svg Bureau File:BSicon HST.svg Moline File:BSicon BHF.svg Rock Island File:BSicon STR+GRZq.svg Illinois Iowa File:BSicon HST.svg Davenport File:BSicon HST.svg West Liberty File:BSicon HST.svg Iowa City File:BSicon HST.svg Marengo File:BSicon HST.svg Grinnell File:BSicon HST.svg Newton File:BSicon KBHFe.svg Des Moines

The Des Moines Rocket was a named passenger train of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. It in initially ran between Chicago, Illinois and Des Moines, Iowa. The service was named in honor of the new lightweight, streamlined diesel-electric trains introduced in 1937. Service was suspended on August 21, 1960, in defiance of the Interstate Commerce Commission's orders to keep it running. Passenger extras were run between Davenport and Des Moines until the following year when an eastbound Golden State was offered as a replacement (without a westbound counterpart).

Rolling stock

The train was introduced with one of the new Rock Island Rockets trainsets built by the Budd Company. The initial consist was:

• Articulated 3 car set:
  • 32 seat Baggage-dinette-coach #401 Norman Judd
  • 60 seat coach #307 Grenville Dodge
  • 76 seat coach #301 Henry Farnum
• 32 seat, 1 drawing room, parlor, buffet, observation car #451 L M Allen

See also

• Quad Cities Rocket