The ATSF Just West of Chicago

In this image we see some Santa Fe power at rest—including a splendid FP45, number 5947, tied up to a couple of SD45s, one sporting the older paint scheme.

Chicago Union Station

Here is a Milwaukee Road commuter train, at what I’m assuming is Chicago Union Station. We see here a couple of interesting things here: the locomotive is an F40C, of which not many were built (fifteen), as well as a Northern Pacific sleeping car, part of what I assume to be an Amtrak train of BN ilk.

More assumptions on my part: I gather that this locomotive was developed alongside that of the F40PH, or just prior to that much more successful four-axle design. (I recall seeing those units, brand spanking new, in 1976 or so.) This particular locomotive was built in April of 1974.

So, not a great photograph to be sure, but fun to lock down some details of the equipment I had not noticed at the time. I had just turned 15 and was on a trip to the Windy City for the first time.

CB&Q Commuter

Here is a westbound commuter train: it’s seen at the Halsted Platform, track two. The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy had been folded into the Burlington Northern by this time of course.

The EMD E9, BN 9922, was built as CB&Q number 9992.

Joliet This image shows a Rock Island outbound commuter train clacking over the ATSF/GM&O tracks at Joliet. This has always been a great spot for rail enthusiasts. The wonderful station here is made from Indiana limestone, but I'm not certain about the make up of iconic tower on the other side. The locomotive is an EMD E8A built for the Union Pacific in 1953.