02433cam a2200157 4500 714579562 TxAuBib 20230321120000.0 230321|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||und|u 9788886800099 8886800096 TxAuBib Gaertner, John T. The Great Rock Island Route : A History of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, Its Predecessors and Subsidiaries / The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad (CRI&P) had a long and varied history, possessing an extensive network that made it the 10th largest railroad in the United States serving 14 states. The CRI&P was a pioneer and did much to promote the development of its territory. Although following a Chicago & North Western Railway (C&NW) predecessor west out of Chicago, the Rock Island became the first road to bridge the Mississippi and enter Iowa, only to become bogged down and overtaken by the C&NW in the race to reach the Union Pacific and Council Bluffs. Another pioneer segment of the Rock Island started west from Memphis and became the first railroad to enter Arkansas. The lines out of Chicago and Memphis connected a half a century later at Tucumcari, New Mexico, where connections were made with the Southern Pacific, the CRI&P's principal western interchange. The Rock Island also possessed the longest north-south route in the United States under one ownership between Minneapolis and Dallas. The CRI&P managed to do quite well, despite being handicapped by longer routes and the lack of its own terminals at some important points, surviving the various bank panics and a looting of the property by the Tinplate Trust. The road remained a major player, even after the railroads lost their transportation monopoly in the 1920's, until the late 1950's, when it became obvious that there was not enough business remaining to keep all the railroads viable. The CRI&P's demise some 20 years later was remarkable given the size of the property, but not surprising when seemingly everyone-investors, federal and state governments, and other railroads--considered shuttering the railroad to be the best solution to the problem of excess capacity. Even theRock Island's employees contributed by going on strike when the railroad was on its knees in the late 1970's, striking the road's death knell. 20230321.