Doing what she was designed to do, J-1b 5238 hauling varnish. I don't know the train number, but the photo is from the Vollrath collection.
I've always liked photos taken from that angle. Seeing the train curving behind power, coming from the distance. It just looks fast and sleek.
This one isn't spectacular. Hmmm, they were all spectacular. J-3a 5430 sporting Scullin Disk drivers, a Worthington feedwater heater and a big PT tender. Again from the Vollrath collection.
Thanks Jim !! will be looking fwd to seeing more as you have time . and you are correct sir , they all AWESOME !!!
Jim, those Scullin drivers make me wonder if 5430 may have worn Empire State or Mercury streamlining at one time. I've seen photos of her sister 5429 in Empire clothing.
The "disk drivers" whether Boxpok, Scullen or Baldwin, were more rugged yet lighter weight and easier to balance than conventional spoked drivers. They were a simpler overall design and easier to inspect and find any defects.
Well, the appearance of the drivers certainly enhanced the streamlined locomotives overall appearance. I think the technology just came forward at the same time as the streamlining craze. There were a lot of steamers that sported Boxpok or disc drivers on their main set, while showing spoked drivers on the others, late in steam days. The newer drivers were much more reliable than the old spoked versions. Having said all of that, I sure wish we could go back in time to witness these great machines as I did in childhood.
Yeah. And while back there, I could take all kinds of depot photos, plus also raid every train order office in sight for a souvenir set!
Ken, do you mind if I add the exciting trip my mother and I took from New York to Tucson on the Commodore Vanderbilt and Golden State in November 1945. My best memory was all the returning GIs playing with this 10 year old kid. Though my mother did not appreciate the one who gave me the high energy K-Ration bar...LOL
So did you come into Chicago at IC's Central Depot and have to catch the Rock Island out of Grand Central? Or did both trains come and go from La Salle.
Both our trains used LaSalle St. as far as I can remember. I believe only the IC and South Shore used Central Station, and I know nothing about a "Grand Central" except the one in New York City. <gr>
There's a sign in a store nearby..."Please keep your children under control, or we will give them a cup of coffee and a puppy".
The Wikipedia page on Chicago depots showed NYC and its affiliates using a number of stations while Rock Island used at least two. I guess some must have been for commuter. Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk 2
