Leo:
I don't know anything about the steam excursions, but I looked at locations where a coaling tower and/or water cranes were in the vicinity of a standard Q design two track signal bridge. I found three locations, which might not be all of them. One is at Chariton, where the coaling station was at about MP 335.3 and the signal bridge at MP 335.43. The other location is Hastings, NE., where the coal chute was at about MP 157.2 and the signal bridge at MP 157.28. The third location, at Bushnell, appears more unlikely, because the track chart shows the coal chute going over the mainlines (unlike the photo), at MP 192.4. There was a signal bridge at MP 192.33 however.
The photo does not appear to be any location I can find between Aurora and Galesburg or between Steward and Flag Center, in the vicinity of 2 track signal bridges.
Glen Haug
To:
CBQ@yahoogroups.comFrom:
CBQ@yahoogroups.comDate: Thu, 14 Aug 2014 09:52:10 -0500
Subject: [CBQ] Eola Coaling Towers/Sept 1960 Steam Excursion
Where did the Sept 1960 steam excursion operate ? Here's why I ask.
On pg 42 of the new Q Facilities book is a photo reported to be one of the Eola coaling towers.
I don't think this is correct based on my first hand experience at Eola rdhse(see Zephyr 65) it is not the one near the rdhse.
I base that on the curvature of the track behind the tower,the paint and the ballast. Also I doubt anyone would bring a passenger train into the west yard and up to the house.
If this photo is of the one at Eola proper,at the east end of the yard,next to the main. Which is confirmed by the line drawing on the page,also an earlier issue of the same line drawing in my collection,and as well as info. supplied to me by "Bones" Mathers (Q Eola switchman) talking about spotting cars at the main line chute. Then I am troubled by the fact,that even using magnification, I can't see,the E.J.& E. And the signal bridge is clearly for two trks. Not three.
The curvature of the trk. behind the chute leads to me think this a wye or a branch line.
It is not Rochelle as I checked the photo in Spoors first book of the Rochelle coal chute.
That eliminates the C&I. Leaving the mainline.
Can any one say where the photo was taken ?
Leo Phillipp
Sent from my iPad