Leo,
In 1963, I believe that the Illinois State Mental Hospital, located on the west side of the Fox River in South Elgin, still used coal as it's primary heat source. I don't think it was converted to gas until the late 1970s or even 1980s. I remember seeing hoppers in the facility during that period. Maybe the coal was destined for the hospital.
Bill Barber Gravois Mills, MO Wed Jul 25, 2012 1:56 pm (PDT) . Posted by:I am enjoying Vol 3 of John Strauss' work on Q passenger service. But
something caught my eye.
Look at the photo on bottom of page 13. There are at least 16 cars of So
ILL finest coal sitting on track 6 in the west yard,even a couple "flats"
still in service. Having worked there that means this is material with local
destination(s). What or which industries served by locals out of Eola in
1963 could have used 16 cars of coal ?
All the city power plants were gone,even the big Aurora plant, all heavy
industries had converted to gas. If this was coal for the North or west it
would have gone there via Galesburg. If it was coal awaiting final billing
or was stored in transit it would have been buried over on the higher #d
tracks. If going to the "J' it would be in the east yard. OK it might be in a
x/o dose for the east yard.
Speaking of which,get your magnifying glass out and look over the top of
the thrid coal car from the right. That's a fire on about track 8 or 9 with
a human figure nearby ? I can't believe a Q employee would build a fire in
the middle of an active classification yard ?
Also nice view of the old west rip in the background.
Leo Phillipp
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