The justly famous "Rock Island Line" served the richest heartland of America, including Milwaukee, Council Bluffs, Davenport-Rock Island on the Mississippi River, Keokuk, Peoria, Omaha, Chicago, and its westward branch, Rock Island and Pacific, to Kansas City. Its passenger services included the George Pullman cars with their luxurious fittings and fine dining cars.

This song, from its heyday, was dedicated to the "General Ticket and Passenger Agent of a famous Railway Line." The title sheet of the sheet music shows a detailed map of the Great Rock Island and Albert Lea Routes, 1883.

A FAMOUS RAILWAY LINE !
(Song and chorus by J. A. Roff, 1883)

1
Oh, hark! unto a magic name resounding through the land-
From North to South, from East to West 'tis heard on every hand-
A name that shines e'en as a star whose beams shall ne'er decline-
'Tis called the "Great Rock Island Route," the famous railway line-

Chorus-
Oh! Great Rock island route of thee we sing- thy praises tell.

Thy name shall ever be a star in memory.
Yes, of thee we sing, and thy praises tell
Thy name shall ever be, a star in memory.
(Repeat last two lines)

2
How grand to see their mighty trains go dashing, speeding on-
Awaking quaint old forests with the music of their song-
Well loaded down with human freight, from ev'ry world and clime-
All happy as they journey on this famous railway line-
3
To reach the famous distant West, the land of setting sun-
Where lofty mountains tower high unto the clouds among-
Or e'en to reach the northern lake, or sunny southern clime-
Be sure your ticket reads, by the way, the "Great Rock Island" line-
4
Equipp'd with Palace "Dining Cars," with "Sleepers" rich and grand-
Traversing regions picturesque, the "Eden" of the land-
Thus comfort, time and happiness, with safety all combine-
To make the "Great Rock Island Route," the famous railway line-
5
E'er as the rippling mountain stream, speeds joyful on its way-
As just above the darkest cloud the brightest sunbeams play-
So shall the "Great Rock Island" line, through years of coming time-
A fav'rite with the people all, a famous railway line-