[CBQ] Grain Moving season

["Leo Phillipp via groups.io" <qutlx1=aol.com@groups.io>]

I have received some help to my questions about freight rates in off groups 
responses.
Thanks to all those who responded on and off the groups. Now onto the next 
subject.

The leaves are already turning here in Northern IL(about a month early) and 
some soybean fields have already been harvested(at least two weeks ahead of the 
earliest date this old guy can remember). So both of these observations got me 
turning nostalgic and thinking of another BRHS Bulletin article. Having been 
somewhat involved in it while at BN I’d love to share an article on the details 
of grain movement from producer to processors,exporters,etc. in the Q era. Does 
anyone know of a source where the numerous details involved in staging, 
delivering empty cars to country elevators,moving the loads to 
processors,exporters,etc is documented ?
PS-Nothing stunk worse then wet,spilled grain. When you got it on your boot it 
took for ever to go away!

I recall a trip up the Rockfalls branch in 1973 in mid summer passing through 
Radley,IL and commenting to Conductor Gerald Barlow “what are all those 40 
footers doing there”. His response was they were staged for delivery to 
elevators on the branch for future grain loading. Later that week I learned 
from spotting a Q CH at West Brooklyn for grain loading that the elevators only 
really wanted CHs. That was also the incident where I learned the hand sign for 
watch your head. He meant from the grain spout hanging down off the elevator as 
i rode the high handbrake back towards the elevator.

The exception to only wanting CHs was Chana grain on the C&I, they would load 
40 footers all day every day. As many we would give them. When push came to 
shove one year they loaded empty open hoppers sent from eastern coal carriers 
and put tarps over the loads ! No,I’m not making it up.

Then there were discussions with Conductor Lew Peshia about the grain business. 
One of his comments I recall so clearly is that train crews would take the rags 
in the waycars stationed there to deal with hot boxes,etc while in route and 
stick them into the leaking boxcar sides when noticed at an elevator. Also his 
answer to my question about the short move on a car of grain from Sugar Grove 
to Chicago. He said when the elevator was shipping the charge was $75.00 ! 

I’ll save the discussion of the glory days when the Conductor and switch 
foreman were Gods as they decide who got empty box cars for grain loading. Talk 
about an off the books pay off system! 

Yes, ive posted some this years gone bye but now I’m looking for more 
information.

Thanks,
Leo Phillipp





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