RE White Rims (tires)
I recently saw movies from the 1950's CB&Q Railfan Excursions.
The 637 was heading a consist of heavyweight coaches on, I'm pretty sure, the
Cumberland Branch out of Creston. She had white tires (rims). Don't know
the exact year.
Based on what the taker of the films said..it was the then practice of
railfans to visit the enginehouse the night before the trips and do a little
paint work. The white tires were certainly not according to the standard
plan.
There is a story about H. H. Urbach, Supt. of Motive Power in the 1950's
visiting the Lincoln Roundhouse shortly after they had painted the shop
switcher..think it was the 305. The painter did a little extra work on the
tires with white paint. Urbach, reportedly, pitched the proverbial fit and
the tires were immediately returned to CB&Q Standards. Refer to Al Holck's
book Hub of Burlington Lines West for documentation.
Totally independently I have my own photograph of the engine, taken fall 1954
in it's "out of standard" dress.
Pete Hedgpeth
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