[Attachment(s) from LZadnichek@aol.com included below]
September 15, 2016
Leo - I recently came across this inserted/attached image of an
unidentified Zephyr. Group member Bob Campbell has ID'd the image location
as Rochelle, IL. It is undated. The structure with the large and small
smoke stacks at center left, could this be the "iron sponge" foundry and track
serving it?
In the attached image, when enlarged, you can see a bucket conveyor for
unloading hopper cars. The MOW roll back tender might've been bad ordered and is
sitting on the foundry track awaiting repair. If indeed Rochelle, then the
image would probably date to the mid-to-late 1940s and the E-5 is powering one
of the Twin Cities Zephyrs. What's stored in the masonry bins at bottom right?
Best Regards - Louis
Louis Zadnichek II
Fairhope, AL
- - - -
Yup, even today we are occasionally offered sponge iron in large chunks to
be broken down for remelting.
Leo
September 8,
2016
Leo - Over my years in the scrap business, I've seen the terms "sponge
iron" and "cast iron" used interchangeably, although both have different
chemical properties. Anyway, the "sponge" part comes from if you break a
casting (ever drop an iron lawn chair only to have a foot snap off), the
material at the break will look porous compared to steel. Sponge/cast iron is
brittle compared to steel. Such a foundry would've received both hopper loads
of coal (most likely metallurgical quality) and "iron
sponge" with outbound castings most likely loaded into box
cars. Or, if it was a small foundry, then all their cast products probably
were sold locally and shipped out by truck or even horse drawn wagon. Another
lost industrial technology, the small town foundry..... Best Regards -
Louis
Louis based on my memory of the building I think it could have been a
foundry.
Leo
September 8, 2016
Leo - The agent probably meant "sponge iron." Sponge
iron is a product produced using iron ore that's
often used to make wrought iron such as porch railings,
outdoor furniture, gates and other castings. My
educated guess is that the Sponge track lead to a foundry. Best Regards -
Louis
Louis Zadnichek II
Fairhope, AL
Bud
Linroth just sent me an awesome find of a few switch lists from the
agent at Rochelle to the Condr on the southbound Wayfreight in October
1928. There's several items that will eventually find there way to a
future article on a job called the "roustabout" which would have
connected with this southbound Wayfreight. Note everything says
"southbound", not eastbound as this dates from the time when the
Shabbona to Paw Paw line was in place. Train assignments were much
different than all us old Aurora div. guys experienced. I'll cover that
in the article.
Here's the time that I need help on. The agent
lists cars under the track they are on and what he wants done. One
heading is the Iron Sponge track. That got me. Can anyone who's research
Rochelle fill me in on the Iron Sponge track ?
Bob H.,Rich
G.?
Leo
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