| Illinois Central GP9 9045 westbound at the setout track with the AE&FR (Aurora Elgin & Fox River) at Coleman (South Elgin) Illinois on May 1, 1966, Kodachrome by Chuck Zeiler. Built in May 1954 as IC passenger GP9 9045 (c/n 19380) on EMD Order 5341, it was rebuilt during October 1970 to GP10 8045. It is seen here on the Iowa Division, this particular piece of track MAY still be called the Saint Charles Air Line, as Saint Charles, Illinois, is located just a couple of miles south of this location. It has crossed the Fox River, and the track leading to the right was generally used to deliver coal to the AE&FR, to be forwarded to the state hospital in South Elgin. By this date, the AE&FR also became a museum, collecting various pieces of traction rolling stock. Note there are a couple of railfans in the photo on either side of the small building just to the right of the train before the switch. |