Burlington's ceremonial 4-6-0 at some 1950s event, undated:

http://abpr.railfan.net/abprphoto.cgi?s ... b+q637.jpg

The 637 at Zearing, Illinois, September 2, 1956:

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/cbq/cbq-s637blr.jpg
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/cbq/cbq-s637clr.jpg

At Aurora, same date:

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/cbq/cbq-s637dlr.jpg

No location, same date:

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/cbq/cbq-s637alr.jpg

And the 4000 at Chicago, same date:

http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/cbq/cbq-s4000clr.jpg
http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/cbq/cbq-s4000blr.jpg

Bob,
The first appears to correctly labelled as Zearing, IL, where the Streator-LaSalle/Peru line connected with the Chicago to Galesburg mainline. The second and fourth shots appear to be taken at Ladd, IL, which is between LaSalle/Peru and Zearing. The coal mine tailings hill is a give-away of the location. The third shot is at Aurora, IL, in the shop complex/suburban yard. It is the same location as the second shot of 4-6-4 #4000. The 1850's stone roundhouse in the background still stands as the "Walter Payton" roundhouse and the present day Metra station is located adjacent to it in another of the old shop structures. 637 is at IRM and 4000 is at LaCrosse, WI. The LaSalle/Peru to Zearing is still operated although now by a shortline.

I grew up in Oswego, IL, on the Streator branch and saw the 637 portion of this excursion (the first I remember, at the ripe old age of 5!). My father held me up in the kitchen window to look at it; the tracks were literally in my parents' backyard. Thanks for posting the shots.

Don C.