Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad 2-8-2 Class O-1-A 4960 westbound at Leland, Illinois on December 19, 1965, Kodachrome by Chuck Zeiler. Obviously not a heavily patronized trip, and this late in the year, there were no open cars, except for the baggage section of the power car. At the end of the train is a private car, the "Captain Hook". This train was billed as the annual Santa Claus trip, leaving Chicago at 9:00Am CST, stopping at LaGrange, Downers Grove, and Aurora, arriving at Zearing at 1:00PM. The feature of this trip was a photo contest judged by a representative of Trains Magazine. The fare was $7.50 for adults. At this time, 4960 was the last operating steam locomotive on the CB&Q, 5632 was in the shops for repairs. Seven months from this date, steam excursions on the CB&Q would be history. |