January 19, 2016
Group - Can anyone help to identify "where" the attached undated image
was taken of Class S-2-A No. 2949:
I personally do not recognize the rock wall behind 2949. Group members Bill
Barber and Bob Campbell think the location might be either north of the Savanna
or East Dubuque, IL, stations. Their edited comments to me
follow:
Bill Barber commented - "I am not familiar with the background either.....I
would think that this is a main line train, possibly a local of some sort. The
hillside in the background may be the Mississippi River bluffs and the roadway
could be the approach to the US 52 bridge that crosses the Mississippi River,
just north of Savanna."
Bob Campbell commented - "I sure wish this photo had more surrounding
background to it, but I'm about 85% sure this shot was taken at East Dubuque,
IL, on the IC track that went into a tunnel and exited across two Q diamonds and
then over the Mississippi River swing bridge. I believe this train was
destined for Dubuque, IA, and was being held for either river barge traffic
(they have the "right-of-way") and/or CB&Q/IC/CGW rail traffic which gave
the engineer time to make some adjustments to the lubricator and the fireman to
clean a window (possibly). Unquestionably, the train was being
delayed. 2949 is westbound here and being the last of the S-2-A class
Pacifics this photo pre-dates its "sold-for-scrap" date of June 1951."
Can any of our LaCrosse Division experts confirm either of the
above locations, or have an opinion on just where 2949 was photographed? Of
course, that is providing the S-2-A is actually on Lines East. Comments are
appreciated. Best Regards - Louis
Louis Zadnichek II
Fairhope, AL
