Train no. BF-9

NG503024

Train no. BF-9

Steam Locomotive

Just beyond Mount Jackson, the Illinois Division main line passes - through a succession of new developments and trailer camps known as Eagle Creek. There are no industries in this section, and Eagle Creek in the timecard signifies only a water station - albeit a most important one. Because of the long pull around the Belt to Brightwood and the probability of encountering slowly-moving traffic along the way, most steam-powered drags coming off the Illinois Division take water here. Moreover, it is sometimes necessary for westbounds to do likewise for the same reasons (on one occasion, a Duane turn crew was on duty 11 hours before they finally cleared Mount Jackson!). This freight, however, storming past Mount Jackson on the 18-mile grade to Danville, highballed by the plug at Eagle Creek. The train is H/BF-9, which leaves Brightwood with its caboose and a few cars and fills out at Hill yard. On this occasion, it had 92 cars and was powered by no. 2869. The latter is unique in that it served for some time as hump engine in the yard at Harrisburg, Illinois, For this duty, it was specially equipped with an all-service, quadrant-type reverse (the 2815 performed in the same service and was similarly equipped). The vast majority of the NYC'S L-class engines, intended for fast freight work, had precision, wheel-type reverses.

Jeremy Taylor

Jeremy Taylor

2-1/4x3-1/4 neg

Summer, 1955

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4/8/2002

456

L-2c

#2869

Alco-Schen

Mt. Jax, Indianapolis, IN

See NG503024a