ICE’s ex-I&M Rail Link GP9s and SW1200s.

IMRL125GB_031002

WEARING I&M RAIL Link lettering on the cab in a somewhat non-standard ‘block’ style, former Soo Line GP9 No. IMRL 125 (ex-SOO 588/4233) sits on one of the turntable roads at Nahant Shops, near Davenport, Iowa, on a dreary October 2rd, 2002. The Dakota Minnesota & Eastern had purchased the IMRL the previous July, renaming it the Iowa Chicago & Eastern.

IMRL14GB_031002

The Iowa Chicago & Eastern acquired five former I&M Rail Link SW1200 switchers on the take over in mid 2002. IMRL 14, built as Milwaukee Road No. MILW 2050 in 1954, was one of these and it could be found at Nahant, Iowa, on October 3rd, 2002. All five of the SW1200s were sold on to other operators, this particular machine heading to Locomotive Specialists Inc.

ICE105_103GB_200506_01

Two of Iowa Chicago & Easterns ageing GP9s switch the west end of Nahant Yard, near Davenport, Iowa, on May 20th, 2006. The two ‘Geeps’, Nos. ICE 105 and ICE 103 are late of the erstwhile I&M Rail Link, and before that the famous Soo Line, which explains the tatty red and white colour scheme.

ICE137GB_170506_01

Ex Soo Line and I&M Rail Link GP9 No. ICE 137, now under Iowa Chicago & Eastern ownership, pushes a single gondola loaded with scrap into ICE’s Nahant Yard, near Davenport, Iowa, on May 17th, 2006. No. ICE 137 was built as No. SOO 552 in December 1954, making it nearly 53 years old!