[CBQ] Video Documentary "Capital Of The Burlington Railroad"

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

March 5, 2023

 

All - Bill Franckey has uploaded another superb documentary "Capital Of The Burlington Railroad" to YouTube just a week following uploading his "Steam To Stainless" video (scroll down).

 

His latest fascinating video is produced in much the same style as PBS television documentaries by Ken Burns. It tells the story of the Q and Galesburg, the railroad's Lines East hub:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_zCwJyf1EE

 

The hour long visual presentation traces the co-development of the Q's predecessor railroads and Galesburg from the founding of the community through the Age of Steam and afterwards.

 

Bill has drawn from multiple historical archives including the BRHS and individual BRHS members as well as from his own historical photograph collection to illustrate this magnificent video.

 

Bill misses nothing (both good and bad) in his documenting of how the Q and Galesburg grew-up together.  In particular, Bill spends time in telling the story of the violent 1888 railroad strike.

 

In conjunction with "Capital Of The Burlington Railroad," Bill has also uploaded to YouTube a separate hour long documentary "Open Tonight" that largely focuses upon Galesburg itself:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyjwrCDA5Ns

 

This is a truly loving look back at Galesburg documented like only Bill could with a beautiful sound track, a wide variety of historical images and interviews with members of old families.

 

I couldn't think of a more rewarding two hours of your time than to click on the two above links (and the one below if you haven't yet viewed it) and enjoy Bill's wonderful presentations.

 

The Burlington Route Historical Society is in the process of adding both of Bill's new documentaries to the video area of their website so they will be preserved for those who come after us.

 

Just so everyone knows Bill's background as a locomotive engineer, I've inserted/attached the following image of Bill nearing his retirement from the BNSF on the Galesburg Division.

 

Bill would've preferred a photo of him hostling either the 5632 or 4960 at the Galesburg roundhouse when he first started out, but we'll just have to settle for a BIG orange diesel - Louis

 

Louis Zadnichek II

Fairhope, AL

 

 

 

 

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From: lzadnichek@aol.com
To: cbq@groups.io
Cc: brhslist@groups.io
Sent: 2/26/2023 1:52:30 PM Central Standard Time
Subject: "Steam To Stainless" Video Documentary

February 26, 2023

 

All - William "Bill" Franckey, a retired CB&Q/BN/BNSF locomotive engineer and lifetime railroad historian has just uploaded to YouTube his masterful two hour and sixteen minute video documentary "Steam To Stainless" that records the transition from steam to diesel on the Galesburg Division: 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFUnWNC0z8Q

 

Bill comes from a generational railroad family of locomotive engineers dating back over a hundred years. During his career, Bill sat down and interviewed senior or retired Galesburg Division engineers and other mechanical department employees to record their work life memories.

 

This is a very personalized documentary that focuses upon the everyday life of engine crews and the many challenges they faced in getting their steam and diesel powered trains over the Division either west to Ottumwa, IA, or east to Chicago, IL (Cicero and Chicago Union Station).

 

Plus, Bill interviewed retired Galesburg Roundhouse employees including a steam locomotive boiler maker and diesel locomotive electrician who maintained the motive power to get the trains over the Division. There is a wealth of information in these interviews that is seldom heard elsewhere.

 

The Burlington Route Historical Society is in the process of adding Bill's documentary to the video area of their website. Included in the video are a number of interesting historical photos and motion picture segments depicting Galesburg railroad scenes over the past hundred plus years - Louis

 

Louis Zadnichek II

Fairhope, AL

 

        

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

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