#gep30ch

Outbound Illinois Zephyr

It’s late afternoon or early evening in Chicago. Knowledgeable people in the rail enthusiast community tell me this train is most likely the Illinois Zephyr, and I will defer to them.

The GE P30CH locomotive on point here was just over a year old at this time. Amtrak was still unsure of its longevity, and so were in the habit of buying large locomotives (such as the SDP40F) that could be sold to freight railroads if it went down. Somehow it’s still holding on fifty-three years after its inception.

Rockford, Illinois (Part One)

This is Amtrak number 372, the Black Hawk, heading for Chicago; it’s seen here crossing over the Rock River at Rockford, Illinois.

This train, the Black Hawk, seen operating on Illinois Central’s Iowa Division, was discontinued on September 30th 1981—the final day of the fiscal year for the U.S. government. Power for the train this day is GE P30CH number 701, which is a little over a year old when this image was made.

The Black Hawk

This is Amtrak number 372, heading for Chicago; it’s seen here crossing over the Rock River at Rockford, Illinois. This train service, operating on Illinois Central’s Iowa Division, was discontinued on September 30th 1981—the final day of the fiscal year for the U.S. government. Power for the train this day is GE P30CH number 701, which is a little over a year old when this image was made.

Sigel, Illinois (Part Two)

The next train to come by this same location (I believe Sigel, Illinois, see previous post) was Amtrak’s Shawnee. Train ran between Chicago and Carbondale, Illinois. The speed limit here at that time was 90 miles-per-hour given the cab signals of the Illinois Central. The train is being powered by the short-lived GE P30CH.

Outbound Illinois Zephyr

It’s late afternoon or early evening in Chicago. Knowledgeable people in the rail enthusiast community tell me this train is most likely the Illinois Zephyr, and I will defer to them.

The GE P30CH locomotive on point here was just over a year old at this time. Amtrak was still unsure of its lasting power, and so were in the habit of buying large locomotives that could be sold to freight railroads if it went down. Somehow it’s still holding on fifty years after its inception.

Outbound

It’s late afternoon or early evening in Chicago. Knowledgeable people on Facebook tell me this train is most likely the Illinois Zephyr, and I will defer to them.

The GE P30CH locomotive on point here must have been brand-spanking new at this time. As far as I am concerned, the building in the background will always be known as the Sears Tower.