Rock Island Southern Railway
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The Rock Island Southern Railway, or RIS, was one of the most unusual interurban systems in the United States. It consisted of two distinct divisions, each with its own unique operating parameters. It provided passenger service to the western Illinois cities of Rock Island, Monmouth and Galesburg for two decades, with freight service surviving into the 1950s on the barest remnants of a once-impressive system.
The older of the two RIS divisions was the line from Monmouth east to Galesburg,[1] which was called Western Illinois Traction prior to completion of the line. By the time this 19-mile (31 km)[1] segment was put into service in May 1906 it had become part of the RIS. This division operated on 600 volts DC electric power and used typical interurban standards, with tighter curves and narrower rolling stock than in use on mainline railroads. Passenger service was operated for two decades, ceasing in 1926 following a decline in ridership brought on by increased automobile use. Freight service continued to be provided by an assortment of electric locomotives and box motors, but during and after World War II even freight traffic declined precipitously. All service over this division was abandoned on March 30, 1951.
Stations along the line included: