The EMC-TA was a model of diesel locomotive produced for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad by the Electro-Motive Corporation in 1937.

The original six Rock Island Rockets streamliners were three- or four-car stainless-steel semi-articulated trainsets built by Budd Company, powered by six identical locomotives, #601-606.

[1] The styling of the TAs resembled the A units of the contemporary EA and E1 built in 1937, but the single 1,200 hp Winton 201-A motor provided only two-thirds the power of the E-units' 1,800 hp twin motor arrangement, the TAs were shorter and lighter, and they rode two-axle rather than three-axle trucks.

Liberal amounts of stainless steel trim were applied, including "THE ROCKET" behind the cab doors, while "ROCK ISLAND" was painted in maroon against the silver locomotive sides.

Other additions included MU receptacles next to the upper headlight and replacing the retractable front couplers with fixed ones.