The Railway

Built between Chicago and Rock Island, Illinois the Rock Island system was originally planned to provide an overland link between the Mississippi and Illinois River,.but raising the money to build the line was difficult because people had little faith in a railroad that merely connected two waterways. An amended charter was approved by a special Act of the Illinois Legislature on February 7, 1851 and the name was changed to the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad. That October 1st, the first spade of dirt was turned at 22nd Street, the southern limits of Chicago and railroad construction officially was begun. The line was completed to Joliet, 40 miles away, by October, 1852.

On October 10, 1852, a little American-type locomotive (4-4-0), called the Rocket, was coupled to six sparkling new yellow coaches and became the first train to be operated over the route, despite the fact the depots along the line were non-existent. The rails marched westward, through Morris, Ottawa, La Salle and Bureau, finally reaching Rock Island on February 22, 1854, the first railroad to connect Chicago with the Mississippi River.

On March 31, 1980, the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad operated its last train.

A more detailed history of the railroad can be found at http://www.simpson.edu/~RITS/histories/RIHistory.html

The Record

The stories that are told about this song! Leadbelly (Huddie Ledbetter) and John and Alan Lomax supposedly first heard it from a prison work gang during their travels in 1934/35. It was sung acappella. Leadbelly sang and performed this song, finally settling on a format where he portrayed, in song, a train engineer asking the depot agent to let his train start out on the main line.

It was this format that inspired Lonnie Donegan, a British musician, to record the song. His recording in the late 1950's and early '60's started a music craze called "skiffle music". Skiffle was played by inexpensive instruments and was enormously popular. Lonnie did nothing to credit Leadbelly as the author, even though he simply copied Leadbelly's entire arrangement. When the skiffle craze started to influence American music, many young musicians re-discovered Leadbelly's music. Pete Seeger recorded a version of this song acappella while he was chopping wood to demonstrate its origins. The song has also been recorded by Johnny Horton, Johnny Cash and numerous other artists over the years.

The Band

A 1970's Teddy Boy band who had quite a few 45s out on major labels, They appeared in the film 'That'll be the day' with Ringo Starr and David Essex. A best of CD is available from the online shop at Nervous Records for the price of £12. All their recordings are on there:-

1.Choo choo ch'boogie 2.Go 'way hound dog 3.Teenage boogie 4.Boppin' the blues 5.Ice cream 6.Crossword puzzle 7.If I ain't home 8.Barkin' up the wrong tree 9.Justine 10.Maybe that's why I care 11.Ain't got money 12.Boppin' at The Hardrock 13.Baby says 14.Last train to San Fernando 15.Peepin' eyes 16.Right string baby

The Website

The newest and most important Rock Island Line of them all is were you are now. Set up with the main aim of promoting and encouraging Rock 'n' Roll in the North West of England. The site will include details of current artists from around the world and also links to the record companies still producing Rock 'n' Roll, Rockabilly and other similar style music. There will also be an up to date gig guide targeted at the North of England for anybody wishing to see these great acts. Anybody wishing to supply information of artists & gigs for publishing on this site can do so by e-mailing me at info@rockislandline.co.uk.

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