I took this photo after work one day in August of 2007. A two unit set of Canadian National EMD roadswitchers, are seen moving from the servicing track (Right to left) into a staging area near the yard office. The unit to the left, is still in pre merger -pre 1999 Illinois Central markings. Notice the Belt Railway of Chicago logo on the fuel storage tank to the left.Friday, August 17, 2007
Locomotive hostling operation. The Belt Railway of Chicago Clearing Yard Diesel Shop. Bedford Park Illinois USA. August 2007.
I took this photo after work one day in August of 2007. A two unit set of Canadian National EMD roadswitchers, are seen moving from the servicing track (Right to left) into a staging area near the yard office. The unit to the left, is still in pre merger -pre 1999 Illinois Central markings. Notice the Belt Railway of Chicago logo on the fuel storage tank to the left.
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4 comments:
You are near the crest of the hump here and I can remember before retarders a brakeman rode each cut down the grade and the brake wheels were at the top of the ladders on box cars. Ladders and cat walks disappeared in 1967.
I am actually glad that they had gotten rid of the roofwalks and roof mounted brake wheels. That must have been a terrible and unsafe condition to work in, especially during the winter with all the snow, ice, and windchill factors in Chicago or anywhere.
There must have been a lot of accidents and fatalities due to this.
Thank You.
Eddie.
Eddie and tlee169,
Speaking of roofwalks, I remember seeing a "telltale" (those long strands of wire that would hang down over a track right before an overpass and brush against a trainman on the roof who might not be looking in the right direction to see the oncoming danger) on a spur track alongside the old GM&O as it passed under the Pulaski Road overpass next to I-55.
This telltale lasted into the 1990's, easily, but is now gone.
That's an interesting observation! And also it was a good idea for the railroad.
Of course, the little brush with the wire probably scared the heck out of the trainman who jumped up, lost his balance and fell anyway.
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