[CBQ] New Guy

["Tom Hammer hammermann1911@outlook.com [CBQ]" <CBQ@yahoogroups.com>]

I just joined this group and already, really good stuff.  Thanks Steve for the real scoop.

I was there in 1958-1959. That is a lot of traffic. Wonder how much freight now days... Tom Hammer

On 12/15/2016 8:48 AM, STEVEN HOLDING sholding@sbcglobal.net [CBQ] wrote:

 

I started as an Operator at Congress Park about Feb. 1, 1973 on second trick with the introduction of COMPASS the new computer system on the BN.  Would have to be at COMPASS School in Cicero(B-? instruction car) at 8AM.- 12 Noon then back to the park.  Would catch a nap in the locker room till Frank woke me up for second trick.  We would get 300 to 400 cars a day up the north hill.  Some were mine run west to Galesburg to be humped.  After the parade the Congo would switch North and West cars and often take to a siding on the north side at Westmont or out to Downers Grove.  Eastbound trains would set out cars on the South Wye.  IF they fit between La Grange Rd. and Maple Ave.  Other wise they set out at NABISCO( the new sidings between Eola the Naperville at RT. 59)  The next train that fit with a setout would pick them up for the Park.  At least once a week we had a (unit) coal train for Clinton Corn Products from Southern Ill.  It was a unit train but with two and three bay hoppers and generally came back as a unit.  Russ had figured out how to punch a card (We used all punch cards at the time) that wrapped around the drum in the card punch and would duplicate the inbound cards to receive the cars back.  At the time there was Frank the Agent days, and an operator 2nd and third trick with an extra operator position on second trick because of the business.  At the time the operators(rules tested) and clerks were in the same union so the Clerk Union got the RR to change the extra operator to a clerk(paid clerks less) so I wound up posting at Union Ave, Eola Operator and Agent North Aurora( Spins clerk job) and Aurora Tower.  About the middle of June the second guy to work Second Trick Aurora Tower went in to Cicero as a Train Dispatcher and I was assigned 2nd Trick Aurora Tower.  Held that till Jan. 1 1974 when I won the East End Swing job as an Operator.  two thirds Congress Park, Third Trick Operator Eola, then back to Congress Park for two Seconds.  Worked that for six weeks when I went to Cicero as a Dispatcher.

Steve in SC

On Thursday, December 15, 2016 1:35 AM, "Tom Hammer hammermann1911@outlook.com [CBQ]" <CBQ@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

I can't confirm the fishing line idea.  But Q westbound received from the IHB on the North track.

Trains were blocked in our yard.  Car numbers were recorded as the IHB pushed them past our tower. Saved allot of walking.

As a kid I could hear the 4-8-4 making up it's Westbound train from Congress Park all way to Stone Ave. Station.

In later years steam would be back in action when the crops were being shipped in the fall..

It seemed that Eastbound freight received from the IHB on the South track was picked up by an Eastbound Q freight.

Possibly the Eastbound Q freight would also drop off cars for transfer to the IHB.  Tom Hammer

On 12/13/2016 6:43 PM, qutlx1@aol.com [CBQ] wrote:

 

Tom,

I worked Congress Park in the early 70s on the Congo. Heard stories that I'm wondering if you can confirm or refute ?

I was told more than once,when the Harbor shoved up the North Wye,with the big night deliveries,back in the day,that the man on the lead car controlled the air and therefore the movement with fishing line. What say you ?

Leo

On Dec 13, 2016, at 5:20 PM, Tom Hammer hammermann1911@outlook.com [CBQ] <CBQ@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

Congress Park tower was was on the north side, the interchange with the IHB in the Congress Park section of Brookfield.

We received cars from the IHB and had a small yard to make up west bound trains.

Did have a small passenger station. on the South side.  I don't remember Hollywood.

Long arm switching between all 3 main lines either direction.  Tom

On 12/13/2016 4:47 PM, llarryo1 Llarryo1@aol.com [CBQ] wrote:

 

Welcome Tom,

I grew up in Brookfield just north of the Prairie Ave station. I remember the Hollywood and Congress Park stations. Can you remind me where the Congress Park tower was at? I was a little tyke in the 50's with my earliest memories from around '58.

Larry Owen

Bolingbrook, IL

Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S7, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

-------- Original message --------

From: "'Dave Lotz' Dave_Lotz@bellsouth.net [CBQ]" <CBQ@yahoogroups.com>

Date: 12/13/16 1:46 PM (GMT-06:00)

To: CBQ@yahoogroups.com

Subject: RE: [CBQ] New Guy

 



Welcome to the group!!

 

Dave Lotz

CBQ List Owner

 

-----Original Message-----
From: CBQ@yahoogroups.com [mailto:CBQ@yahoogroups.com]
Sent: Tuesday, December 13, 2016 12:00 PM
To: CBQ@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [CBQ] New Guy

 

I am new to group. Worked at Congress Park tower in High School LTHS 1959.

Then General office 547 W. Jackson Blvd.

Chased lots of Steam in the day...

Tom Hammer.  The Q' Guy

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Posted by: Tom Hammer <hammermann1911@outlook.com>

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