| Rock Island 20725 at Blue Island, Illinois on an unknown day in July 1982, Ektachrome by Chuck Zeiler. The following is from the book, Rock Island Color Guide to Freight and Passenger Equipment, by Messrs. Hile, Hickcox and Miller: In 1965 the Rock Island began hauling mail in truck trailers on passenger trains, especially the Des Moines Rocket. Accordingly, 29 flats from the 93300 - 93499 and 93150 - 93249 searies were given steam lines, signal hoses, and were equipped with RIMT trailer hitches. When the service withered due to the demise of the passenger trains, the cars retained their express service numbers. In fact, other cars joined the series, extending it to 20555. The 20600 - 20734 were also renumbered from the 93150 - 93249 with the conversion to ACF Model 5 trailer hitches. In the early 1970's the 20518 and 20530 - 20555 were also re-equipped with ACF Model 4 trailer hitches. The cars measured 88' 5" overall with an inside length of 85', extreme width was 10' 3" and extreme height was 7' 8". |