| Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad GP7 244 switching at Naperville, Illinois on April 7, 1966, Kodachrome by Chuck Zeiler. Built in November 1952 (c/n 14708) on EMD Order 5148, it became BN 1600 and was retired in September 1983. It is seen as the power for the East End Way Freight (to the Dispatcher, this is Extra 244 East) switching the industries in Naperville. The locomotive is equipped with a steam generator, and has a box on the running board ahead of the engineer's front window, which I believe is for Automatic Train Control equipment. A similiar box appears on the top of the boiler on steam locomotive 4960. Here is an expanation from Karl Rethwisch, retired CB&Q Engineer: Chuck, to my knowledge the 243 and 244 were the only Q Geeps fitted with Automatic Cab Signal equipment. They would, occasionally, show up on the Galesburg Local passenger job. I know of no reasons why these two engines were so equipped. |