Peoria Rocket information sought

[Rock Island Boy]

*** NOTE THAT THIS THREAD WAS SPLIT FROM A 5+ YEAR OLD THREAD ***

My Dad was an engineer for Rock Island and ran the Jet Rocket between Peoria and Joliet. Anyone that has any information on this train, I would love to hear it.

 

[Gingee]

Wow. This is a old post of mine that was brought up. Right now the tracks that the train left on in Peoria may be under water in a day or two.

 

[jphjaxfl]

I grew up in Peoria in the 1950s and rode the Peoria Rocket quite a bit including the Jet Rocket during the period it ran. The Peoria Rocket made 2it round trips daily leaving Peoria at 7AM and 3PM. It made the trip to Chicago LaSalle Street Station in 2hours and 40min. It carried a parlor observation Lounge, full diner and coaches. The Jet Rocket was not as luxurious as the streamlined Peoria Rocket. It was more like a bus. Rock Island ran it from the shops in Rock Island down the RIP line to Peoria so it could be on display for a weekend. My family and I toured it. It was very exciting because it was new. Unfortunately Rock Island did little to upgrade the tracks which ran along the Illinois River which often flooded. The train was only about 10-15 min faster than the old train. The Jet Rocket derailed frequently during the first year so it was switched to Chicago -Joliet commuter service and the original Peoria Rocket came back.