| Rock Island's "Bankruptcy Blue" appeared for the first time on Rock locomotives in 1975.
It was distinctive to the say the very least, and the name has stuck now for more than four
decades. Freshly rebuilt GP7 4508 was reportedly the first to showcase the railroad's new
blue and white image. The geep was one of 100+ GP7s and GP9s (including GP18Ms) that were
rebuilt as part the Rock's Capital Rebuild Program (CRP). The work was completed at RI (Silvis),
IC (Paducah) and MK (Boise). The rebuild program also entailed the upgrade of the GP40s
to GP40-2s. In addition to CRP units, when RI locos entered the shops for heavy repairs, they
too often exited wearing the corporation's bright new colors. It should be noted the fresh
image was not limited only to road power; several yard engines also benefitted from their
visit to paint shop. (Photo: GP7R #4506 poses for photographs at Illinois Railway Museum on
24 June 2018 -- Rob Schreiner photographer)
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