Doug, Willard C. "Sport" Becker and John F. "Honest John" Schmid were the engine crew on that memorable day. John told me he had run a good number of O5's and knew they could "get with the program" but he never realized just how WELL they could do it till he let the '31 do 'er "thing" !!! He said he was VERY impressed with the engine. I think almost everyone in attendance was "impressed" as well !!
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--- In CBQ@yahoogroups.com, dhartman@... wrote:
>
> Drawing a blank.
> Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: "Karl" <qrailroadman@...>
> Sender: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Wed, 21 Nov 2012 01:38:08
> To: <CBQ@yahoogroups.com>
> Reply-To: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [CBQ] Re: New Album Created.
>
> Well, the Engineer is no longer with us and the Fireman probably wouldn't give a D*** - - "Honest John" mean anything to ya ??
>
> W C Becker was the Engineer of record on that trip. Enough "hints" ??
> ----------------------------------------------------------
>
> --- In CBQ@yahoogroups.com, dhartman@ wrote:
> >
> > Come on, Karl. Who was it?
> >
> > Doug
> > Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Karl Rethwisch <qrailroadman@>
> > Sender: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
> > Date: Tue, 20 Nov 2012 06:39:43
> > To: CBQ@yahoogroups.com<CBQ@yahoogroups.com>
> > Reply-To: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
> > Subject: [CBQ] Re: New Album Created.
> >
> > 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
> >
>