The ROCK 3.0: Need more input!!

I originally started this blog back in 2009 as a record of the layout building process.  This stems from a daily email I send out to my family and friends about daily goings on that I have been sending out since the 90s.  I figured it would be interesting to have the layout history online.  Anywho, over the years, I have been extremely fortunate to meet various people through the blog that share my similar interest.  Many of those contacts have turned out to be great sources of information as well as becoming good friends.  

Recently, I met Bruce from Illinois that is a former LaSalle Police Officer.  Bruce models the ROCK in HO scale in the same area (LaSalle west to Bureau and south down the Peoria Branch).  We have discussed back and forth the RI prototype and various ideas on modeling the ROCK.  Bruce has been a wealth of knowledge.

Today, Bruce notified me via email he came across the ultimate find, "Rock Island Lines 'The Rocket'" November/December 1968 issue outlining the ROCK's operations at Ottawa Silica and LOF.  Oh my goodness!  I'm anxiously awaiting a scanned copy of the article to learn more about the ROCK.  Information on the operations of the plants there have been quite elusive.  The last time, I obtained this type of information was from Steve Holzheimer when he gave me a copy of an article outlining CSX's operations at Ottawa Yard and then shortly later I found the three-part article in Rail Model Journal regarding modeling the plant (but not much information on operations).  That resulted in tearing down the layout and rebuilding the layout you know today.  I'm hoping nothing that drastic will happen this time as I'm really happy with the layout plan I have now, but ROCK management should be put on watch.  :-)  As Johnny 5 says, "NEED MORE INPUT!!!"

Thanks to all my fellow RI modelers and friends that read the blog!