Picture was taken at First Avenue, Mendota, IL approximately MP 82.1, just west of the coal chute. 5605 is facing east on the westward main and it appears that it is about to either pick-up or set-out in the North Yard. 5605 appears to be on a regularly scheduled eastbound train as there are no white flags displayed. Obviously, they cut their train off west of First Avenue on the eastward main and ran east of the Mendota interlocking plant (not IC Tower, in town), then backed thru the cross over to do the work in the North Yard. I believe at the time of the photo, 5605 is still rolling backwards, as the head brakeman is still hanging off the rear of the tender and the "old geezer" has started to cross the tracks. There are five people in the photo, most of whom appear to be employees. 5605 looks great with Mars light, cab signals and bell ringing (too bad it's a visor-less headlight!).ss O-5 5605 on September 30, 1953, location and photographer unknown, print by Tom Klinger, Chuck Zeiler collection. Number 5605 was built by Baldwin in September 1930 (c/n 61499) and sold for scrap in September 1960. My best guess on the location would be Galesburg, Illinois.

According to the book, 'Steam locomotives Of The Burlington Route', by Bernard G. Corbin and William F. Kerka, number 5622 was completed at West Burlington in August 1938, so this photo was likely shot around that date. The boilers were built by Baldwin, and the builder's plate on the smokebox would show Baldwin Extra Order 6675. There were five boilers built on Extra Order 6675, which were applied to locomotives 5621 through 5625. The rest of the locomotive was assembled from components from various suppliers. Number 5622 was retired in May 1960.

Hol Wagner adds: That is indeed the west end of the West Burlington storehouse, with the main erecting shop's east end just out of view behind the photographer to the right. And of course this means the view is of the north side of the locomotive, thus the sun is on the other side. Fred Lehmann must not have been able to get them to move the 5622 down the length of the erecting shop and into the clear for a south side photo.