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One of the most colorful freight diesel paint schemes of all time was the Rock Island's "Rocket Freight" livery, designed by the EMD Styling Section for its FT's of 1944-'45. The 71 was leading an A-B-A set westward on No. 909 on Sunday, July 20, 1952. The Rock Island got twelve drawbar-connected A-B sets (88/88A-99/99A) during 1944, delivered in reverse order from 99 downward, with the "A" letter on the booster units. In November 1945 the railroad got four drawbar-connected A-B-A sets (70/70B/70A-73/73B/73A) with the boosters lettered "B" and the opposing cab carrying the "A" number. In 1949-'50, the "A" cabs were renumbered 74-77, and all boosters became "B's". All drawbars were replaced with couplers in 1952-'53 for better maintenance flexibility.

Photograph from Trackside around Granger Country 1952-1955 with Rich Wilson, by Jim Boyd.

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