Karl,
We have to keep in mind that that was fast track for the regular passenger trains, too, in those days. The morning Zephyr was scheduled to depart Aurora at 9:39 am and was due into Savanna depot at 10:18 am (89 minutes, 108 miles) and it had to make a scheduled stop at Oregon en route. Average speed was still 72 mph and, I am sure, faster when delays occurred. In that time period, the Q held the scheduled start to stop speed record of 86 mph, I believe , around Prairie du Chein. I remember reading those numbers in Don Steffee's annual speed survey in "Trains Magazine".
After WWII, the Q was a fast runner with either steam or diesel. I rode behind S-4A no. 3003 between Mendota and Aurora in Sept., 1957 at 96 mph for mile after mile. What a trip!
Bill Barber Gravois Mills, MO Tue Nov 20, 2012 6:39 am (PST) . Posted by:In 1957, 5631 was "available" at Clyde RH as power for a chartered excursion to Savanna and Galena, IL. 5631 was to pull the train from Chicago to Savanna and 5090 was scheduled to do the honors from Savanna to Galena. Dry weather conditions forced the decision to use a Geep, rather than the O1a, out of Savanna.
At Aurora, after loading passengers and,takin' water, the Engineer told the Fireman that he could handle the chores to Sav. and THAT he DID !!! He, the Fireman, told me he checked his watch when he pulled at Aurora and it was exactly 0830. As the engine drifted by the old Savanna Tower he took another "peek" at the watch and noted the time - 0941. The pay miles for that segment of RR is 108, which they covered in 71 minutes.
Keep in mind, when calculating "average" speed, that there are certain locations that DEMANDED that the speed be reduced due to curves and other conditions. Steward Jct., Rochelle and the curves above Oregon come to mind.
In all likelihood, no other train had EVER made that same trip in that length of time and, it's assumed, no other train EVER WOULD again !!
Karl
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