Hol,
Been studying this photo since it was listed. Sure am wishing I'd had it for BB51. Here are my thoughts on the most likely possibilities. First note the shadows, its midday. This is most likely the eastbound dinky that returned the loaded Aurora REA express house car to Chicago in early afternoon. The rpo is probably one the regulars operating between Aurora and Chgo.
The engineer is looking back for a sign, so based on all my first hand experience on the ground And extensive reading of the union files I believe the Aurora switch engine is coupling this trains westbound To Aurora coaches onto the now eastbound train. Once the joint has been made, Air and steam connected the air test will be made and train ready to depart.
The route schedules in BB51 for the postal service will provide more info. On the RPO. Basically The RPO stayed between Chicago and Aurora and the mail,express,etc was shuttled to and from the Motor car sections of the Rockford and Streator cars.
The motor cars stayed at Aurora for the most part. For awhile the Rockford car car was taken onto A dinky for the round trip between Aurora and Chicago with the trains and engine crew staying At Aurora except for the baggage an that worked through to the city. This resulted in many Claims and correspondence as it was felt this "road" baggageman was taking work away from the "dinky" baggagemen. This was a big issue because a hard fought agreement had been pounded Out that all suburban work would be handled by suburban crews. The Rockford train baggageman Was doing short work on the way into Chicago and the men felt this was a violation of the Agreement. The practice didn't last too long as soon enough the Rockford car turned at Aurora.
I'm on a working vacation in Florida so don't have access to my files.
Leo
Leo, Charlie and other Chicago area authorities:
Any idea what train this is? It's photographed at the Aurora depot in the 1930s, eastbound.
It has a suburban service 4-4-2 on the point (with a large boiler-top generator for train power) and shortie baggage-RPO car 1850 or 1851 behind, with its little 15-foot RPO compartment. Can't tell how many more cars are behind the baggage car
that trails the RPO. Any ideas? Standing in for a motor car maybe?
Hol<CB&Q 2565, Aurora, Ill., 1930s.jpg>
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Posted by: qutlx1@aol.com
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