Unfortunately, I will have to speculate on a couple of pieces of information. This photo is the result of having film left over in the camera while I was taking the film to a lab for processing from a job I just finished. I popped off a couple of frames on the Roosevelt Road overpass at the Chicago Union Station (CUS) south throat approach. No harm done, the entire strip of film had to be processed anyway, why waste the film? I believe this is an ex-NYC E-8 of the same road number. I believe this is the "Valpo", a former PRR commuter train between Valparaiso, Indiana and Chicago. In 1965, there were two PRR trains each way, every day. If it were a PRR train, it would be either #453 (arriving at CUS at 7:05AM) or #455 (arriving at CUS at 7:30AM). I do not know the CR train numbers. Conrail took over the PRR/PC commuter trains in Chicago. The only Chicago commuter line entirely discontinued in those years was the old Pennsylvania Railroad line to Valparaiso, Indiana. During most of the PRR years GP7's and GP9's were used. But during Penn Central operation in the early and mid 1970's, prior to Conrail's takeover of PC, E8's were used. Amtrak assumed responsibility of the service in 1979, service was discontinued in 1991. The yard on the left is the former PRR coach yard, and the empty yard on the right is the former CB&Q, at this date, the BN coach yard. If this is a weekday, it will soon be choked with bi-level stainless steel commuter coaches.

Story one: I was the Audio-Visual guy at a company in Chicago, and was assigned to spy on the competition's new stores on the east coast. The assignment involved my flying to Massachusetts, renting a car, driving to the location, and photographing the new store, then, get on a plane, fly to the next location, repeat. There were about a dozen locations ending in Washington DC. The purpose was to produce a slide presentation for my employer's Board of Directors. I determined that the flying was a hassle and phoned my boss and suggested that I keep the rental car and drive to the rest of the locations. Once that plan was approved, I plotted the railroad photo opportunities nearest to my primary objectives. The route took me to Wilmington, and while passing through town, I noticed a lot of cantenary wire on my left. I took the nearest exit and found my way to the Wilmington Shops. Upon arrival, I shot everything I saw with flanged wheels, and even managed a cab ride in a GP7 that was switching dead GG1's. I was preparing to leave when I stumbled on this scene.

Story two: Number 4875 had derailed the front axle. The gentleman on the ground with hand raised rounded up the other two gentlemen, and with a carefully placed rock (seen just below the pilot) walked the GG1 back onto the rails. At this point, the flanges are riding the top of the rail, and a moment after I pressed the shutter button, the wheels droped back into running position. Number 4875 moved back to the shop for a quick inspection, the three gentlemen went back to their respective jobs, I departed for more corporate espionage, and the rock stayed in position for the next incident. All in all, one of the friendliest railroad locations I ever visited.