Hi Rick,
This was taken just west of the West Burlington shops (MP 210.1) sometime in the 1960s. The view is westward – Four lane US Hwy 34 is to the upper left. The shop switcher is on the shop lead. The grade crossing is Gear Avenue. This was an eastbound train. A GP has brought in the Galesburg crane to clean up the mess. May I have a high-res scan of this for my collection and possibly any others he might have of Burlington/West Burlington?
I’ve attached an image of Don Ford’s in my collection looking north at the same wreck.
Dave Lotz
From: CBQ@groups.io <CBQ@groups.io> On Behalf Of Rick Woods via groups.io
Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2025 1:47 PM
To: CBQ@groups.io
Subject: [CBQ] Mystery Wreck Photo - Seeking Location and Somewhere to Donate It
I have this attached 8 x 10 photo from my Dad's collection that I'm willing to donate somewhere or to someone who want it.
Here are some clues from the photo:
It is marked on the back as having been taken by McFadden Studio in Burlington, IA.
The presence of a couple of wrecked N&W 86' auto parts box cars in blue "hamburger" herald scheme places this no earlier than 1966.
Presence of a Q switcher in blackbird on the spur along the bottom and Q Geep in chinese red on the wreck train probably means this is before 1974.
From vegetation and the corn field in the upper left corner, it appears to me to be late summer or early fall.
If my guess on time of year is right, then the shadows tell me the time is in the mid-afternoon, North is to the left and we are facing East.
Double track track mainline with the presence of ABS block signal on the Westward main and none seen on the Eastward main.
Presence of road crossing just East of the wreck.
Presence of a parallel 4-lane divided highway about 150 yards to the north.
Rick Woods
St. Joseph Terminal Ops
Elkhorn, WI
