Perhaps a few on this list would like to know about big steam fantrips on the CB&Q back in 1959 (new posting to RailroadPhotoEssays.com).

My First Fan-trip, Not one but two big steamers
http://railroadglorydays.com/cbq

Glen Brewer

That is a nice piece of preservation. The photo essay really captures the feel of end of the era steam fan trips.

Thanks for posting.

Tom

Very excellent photos and text, Glen. And your runby shot captures the true essence of it-- the lineups of photographers, the bystanders not photographing but absorbing, and the speed, done with just enough blur.

Truly amazing shots at Mendota, with little boys climbing up the coal tower, and people all over the place. I'd guess that no one was ever hurt on any of those CB&Q trips, nor was the railroad sued.

Those big Burlington engines-- the 3007, 5632 and especially 6315-- were real good looking locomotives. There is the oft-told tale of 6315's embarassment that day, but these are the first photos I've ever seen of it.

Thanks for the look at what may as well have been another planet (America 51 years ago).

Howard P.

Here is my rather poor photo of the bent eccentric crank (?) of 6315. After the failure, there were a couple of attempts to start with the eccentric disconnected on the fireman's side. The attempts resulted in several tests of drawbar strength. After that it was left up to 5632 to start the train, pushing the lame 6315 the rest of the way to Galesburg. A feat which she accomplished to everyone's delight.[img][/img][attachment=0]BentRod.jpg[/attachment]

Awesome photo essay Glen! Thanks so much for sharing. A lot of us younger guys missed out on a lot of really great fantrips.

Thanks Tom and Tom.

Howard, the world of railroading was certainly more accessible back then although it is still surprising that the Burlington was as lenient as they were even back then.

rusticmike6, great shot. Was this taken after the first stop? Did the trouble start on the left and somehow affect the right? Do you know any further details about the breakdown?

Thank you all.

Glen

As far as I remember it only affected the fireman's side. This shot would have been taken in Galesburg near the roundhouse leads. The plan was to use 6315 only to Galesburg so we were very fortunate this failure happened after the photo runby.