| Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad GP7 242 on the East End Way Freight at Naperville, Illinois on December 28, 1964, Ektachrome by Chuck Zeiler. The brakeman pictured was Roger Taylor, who didn't appreciate being out in the cold weather. Soon after this photo, he transferred to the Passenger Department and became a Collector on commuter trains. I once spoke to Kenneth Boecker, son of the gentleman who owned the grain tower in the right background, and he shared the following story: Near the end of steam on the CB&Q, the newest steam power had been bumped from mainline duties, but were still in good shape. One was assigned to the East End Way Freight. The way freights on the CB&Q were typically handled by the R-class 2-6-2's, but they had been retired. One day one of the newer ( and larger ) locomotives had to perform this switching duty you see pictured here, a move down a slight grade and fetch an empty hopper and pull it back up to the CB&Q main. The locomotive got down OK, but when climbing back up, it slipped and the rails rolled over under the locomotive. There was nothing to do but call for the wrecker. The fire was banked (not sure if it was a coal or oil burner) and the locomotive was left for the evening. Needless to say, all the local kids found it and it was a playground for the next few hours, with much whistle blowing, until the cops came around and chased everyone away. |