Bob - Yes, you're correct. It was a duplex with an ornamental silhouette of
a 4-4-0 hanging from a light post in front, so that must be the Potarf home.
Indeed, the home was in Western Springs and not Clarendon Hills as I had earlier
thought. Thanks for the "nit-pick" so we can set the record straight. For
those in the Group who may not know, Bob and I date back to railfan days
together at Downers Grove High School in the early 1960s. We were both best of
friends (still are) and charter members of the long forgotten Brotherhood of
Railfan Trainmen that was founded by Dave Briggs. Some number of Q
railfans in the Chicago area were members and if any Group members
besides me, Bob and Bill Barber belonged to the Brotherhood and took part in its
"adventures" on 5632/4960 fantrips, please hit the keyboard and identify
yourselves. We'd like to reconnect. Bob and I also share wonderful memories of
our Saturday trips to Northwestern Steel & Wire at Sterling, IL, to see and
photograph the last of the Q steam power being cut-up and the ex-GTW 0-8-0s that
were working the mill at the time. Following high school, Bob went to my dad who
was Chicago Division Supt. at the time and told him he wanted to work for the Q.
I've leave it to Bob to post his reminisces of being hired-on, all the operating
department characters he worked with and his long career in the
cab that concluded as an Amtrak engineer. Bob talks about the Q's brief
fling with GE power. My dad told me that the reason behind Mr. Potarf being
instrumental in buying U Boats was to send a message to EMD that the Q
was not a captive customer and could and would buy modern diesel power from a
non-EMD source. Obviously GE must've made the Q a one heck of an attractive
financial offer to get them away from EMD. I think Bill Barber might
also be able to shed some light on this interesting subject, or, perhaps, Hol
Wagner can. Although Bob hated the GEs (and according to him just about
every other Q engineer hated them, too), they did look GOOD in Chinese red,
certainly had a different sound than their EMD counterparts and added a little
variety for railfan photographers of the era -
Louis
In a message dated 1/29/2013 7:54:25 P.M. Central Standard Time,
amtrak347@aol.com writes:
Louis -
FYI:
This is not intended to be a
"nit-pick", but I did want to call to your attention that E.L. Potarf lived on
the northwest corner of Hillgrove Avenue (east/west street that paralleled
main #1 on the north side of the tracks) and Gilbert Avenue (north/south
street that actually crossed all three mains) in Western Springs.
Gilbert
Avenue was the border line between La Grange and Western
Springs. I might be mistaken, but I believe Potarf's home was a duplex;
I have a friend in Hinsdale who could verify that for me. I do recall
that in front of the home was a light post from which hung an ornamental
silhouette of a 4-4-0. Never did see Mr. Potarf out in front his home
watching trains, but then again, he may have retired and moved from that
location by the time I hired-out in engine service. As I remember
(that's a "tricky" word nowadays for me!), you were the one who informed me,
that Potarf was the person instrumental at the "Q" to switch manufacturers and
purchase General Electric locomotives starting in 1964 and, thankfully, ending
in 1966 (6 U25Bs in 1964, 12 U25Cs in 1965, 16 U28Cs in 1966 and 10 U28Bs in
1966). Take it from me, everyone of these GEs were a pile of junk;
piss-poor throttle response, slow top end and rode like shit, especially the
"Cs". We said they possessed "early Erector Set
" design
qualities. Fortunately, the "Q" didn't purchase another GE until
April,1969, when they received nine, 12-cylinder U23Cs but I believe Mr.
Potarf was not involved in that purchase.
Bob Campbell
Bixby,
OK
--- In CBQ@yahoogroups.com, LZadnichek@...
wrote:
>
> Hol - When E.L. Potarf took-up residence in the Western
Suburbs of Chicago,
> he chose a home (as I recall) in Clarendon
Hills, a stone's throw away
> from the triple track mainline.
That way, my dad said, Mr. Potarf could keep
> track of every
train. You could look down on the home when seated on the
> upper level
of a suburban coach passing by.
.........
>
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