Equipment Information

Chicago Rock Island & Pacific 4506 is a diesel freight locomotive designed as a “road switcher” for general freight train service. It was  sold to Precision National in 1976, rebuilt as a GP-7R (the “R” standing for “Rebuilt”), and leased back to the Rock Island. In 1980 it was returned to Precision National, which sold it the next year to the Chicago & North Western as their number 4160. It was retired from service in 1998, acquired by IRM in 2007, and restored to its 1976 appearance in 2018.

COMPARE ME WITH: Chicago & North Western 411, an F7A locomotive built at about the same time and also originally a freight locomotive. The “Geep” was a design known as a “road switcher,” more utilitarian than streamlined “cab units” like 411 but with far better visibility and easier maintenance due to better access to internal components.

Chicago Rock Island & Pacific 4506 Details

Builder: Electro Motive Division GM
Year Built: 1952
Model: GP-7R
Horsepower: 1500
Length: 55ft 9in
Width: 10ft 3in
Height: 14ft 6in
Weight: 255000 lbs
Brakes: 26L
Engine: 16-567BC
Motors: 4 EMD
Trucks: Blomberg B
Description: Diesel-Electric (Ex CNW 4160 / nee CRIP 1266)
Arrived: 2007
Condition: Complete / restored / operational

Read more about the history of this engine in Rail & Wire #256

Photo gallery

Chicago Rock Island & Pacific 4506 Ownership History

1952-1976 – Chicago Rock Island & Pacific #1266
1976-1980 – Chicago Rock Island & Pacific #4506 (leased from Precision National)
1980-1981 – Precision National, Silvis, IL
1981-1995 – Chicago & North Western #4160
1995-2007 – Union Pacific #4160
2007-present – Illinois Railway Museum, Union, IL

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