[CBQ] 1950s footage of Empire Builder and Twin Cities Zephyrs pulled by Steam

["Louis Zadnichek via groups.io" <LZadnichek=aol.com@groups.io>]

September 10, 2022

 

Eli - I've given this some additional thought and it's also plausible from an operating viewpoint that the steam power ran 'tween St. Paul and North LaCrosse, WI, where the normal diesel power was coupled back on.

 

If you look on page 293 of "Steam Locomotives Of The Burlington Route," there's a Locomotive Assignment Sheet dated February 1, 1952.  At that time, there were six Class O-5-A 4-8-4's assigned to the LaCrosse Division, the 5621, 5622, 5625, 5630, 5631 and 5633.  Plus, there was one Class S-4-A, the 4004.  

 

Whereas these locomotives were assigned to North LaCrosse, not necessarily all of them would've been in the roundhouse at the time.  They could've been scattered to either the Galesburg, Savanna or Clyde roundhouses.  But, at least one or two would've been at North LaCrosse as protection power in case of diesel failure or, in this situation, flooded tracks.

 

So, if steam power was drawn from the North LaCrosse pool, it's highly likely that the Class O-5-A powering the Empire Builder was one of the above mentioned 4-8-4's. As for the 4-6-4 powering the Twin Cities Zephyr, it has an Elesco Feedwater Heater and so did Class S-4-A 4004.  Thus, it's a reasonable bet that 4004 was powering the Zephyr that day.

 

Since the date was Spring of 1952 and passenger service was all but dieselized system wide, these might've been the last mainline name passenger trains to be steam powered up until the 4960 provided power for both freight and passenger trains over flooded tracks in Savanna, IL, during May 1965. Wish I could've been a passenger that day out of St. Paul on either the Empire Builder or Twin Cities Zephyr! - Louis

 

Louis Zadnichek II

Fairhope, AL   

In a message dated 9/9/2022 7:05:05 PM Central Standard Time, traincrazykid2005@gmail.com writes:

 

Louis,

Thanks so much for the info! I consulted on the Milwaukee train another group and they believe it's an F6 or F6a 4-6-4.

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