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October 6, 2015
Hol - Whereas Galesburg and Lincoln deadline images of retired Q steam are
fairly common, actual images of Q steam being scrapped inside the gates of a
scrap yard are relatively rare. I took the attached image in July 1961 at
Northwestern Steel & Wire in Sterling, IL. Shown is Class O-5-A No. 5609 in
the process of being cut-up. The locomotive had been separated from
its tender at far left and the torch crew had started cutting off the rods and
cross head. I don't recall which day of the week it was, but from the lack of
workmen, I'd assume it was on a Saturday. The Corbin book says 5609 was built by
the Q at the West Burlington Shops in September 1936 and sold for scrap in May
1961. It was not quite 25 years old when scrapped and had been out-of-service, I
would think, for about five years. I've understood that the Class O-5
locomotives had a design life of 30 to 35 years depending upon shopping cycles,
so diesels cut short their service careers by a decade or more. In the
background is the C&NW mainline and the cab of a passing ALCO switcher
can be seen. From visiting NWS&W a number of times with my Dad who was
Chicago Division Superintendent at the time, I developed a strong interest in
the scrap and steel industries resulting in my later making a rewarding and
interesting career in the scrap business. If any one else has images of Q
steam actually being scrapped, I'd enjoy seeing them. By far the best
collection of images showing Q steam power being scrapped at NWS&W
appear in noted railfan photographer Ron Zeil's 1963 book Twilight Of Steam
Locomotives. I treasure my copy. Another one of my images tomorrow. Best Regards
- Louis
Louis Zadnichek II
Fairhope, AL
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