Author Topic: Monon train in Hegewisch 1958  (Read 10115 times)

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Bob Lalich

  • Monon Fireman
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Monon train in Hegewisch 1958
« on: December 22, 2014, 08:45:39 am »
Here is an outstanding photo from 1958 of an outbound Monon train passing 130th St on the C&WI. The photographer is standing on the K&E/South Shore bridge. This photo comes from the collection of Mark Stanek, who sadly has passed away. I have made attempts to identify the photographer but have not yet been successful. Any info will be appreciated.

Besides the attractive train, there are many details to look over, which adds to the enjoyment for me. The crossing gates were manually controlled by a gateman in the tower to the left of the train. There was also an automatic warning bell. I watched many trains pass this location from my parents' stopped car.

Notice the track alignment. The C&WI bascule bridge in the distance was the second to span the Calumet River at this location. The first was a swing bridge. The bascule bridge was built along side the old bridge and resulted in a small jog in the tracks.

The open area is now the Avalon Trails section of Hegewisch. Not long after this photo, typical Chicago style bungalos were built along the streets seen here, which had been laid out many years prior.

The industries that can be seen in the hazy background include Ford, Interlake Iron's (newly rebuilt at the time) coke plant, Wisconsin Steel, Globe Roofing Products, Continental Grain, Cargill, and Republic Steel.

A small portion of the Calumet Western Swing bridge can be seen as well. It would be hit by a seagoing ship in 1962 and never rebuilt.

Steve Dolzall

  • Monon Conductor
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Re: Monon train in Hegewisch 1958
« Reply #1 on: December 22, 2014, 10:46:19 am »
The photo appeared in the May, 1982 issue of Mainline Modeler. At that thime the photo was credited to the Collection of Bruce Meyer so apparently he did not know who actually took the photo either.

Steve

Bob Lalich

  • Monon Fireman
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Re: Monon train in Hegewisch 1958
« Reply #2 on: December 22, 2014, 11:46:19 am »
Thanks for the info Steve. What was the topic of the article?

Steve Dolzall

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Re: Monon train in Hegewisch 1958
« Reply #3 on: December 22, 2014, 03:20:34 pm »
Monon F-3 paint schemes.

Steve

Eric Reinert

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Re: Monon train in Hegewisch 1958
« Reply #4 on: December 22, 2014, 04:09:19 pm »
What is the extra piping on top of the F-3? I've wondered about this photo for years and have never seen anyone address it. Perhaps I missed the discussion?
Eric Reinert

Ron Marquardt

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Re: Monon train in Hegewisch 1958
« Reply #5 on: December 22, 2014, 04:49:31 pm »
Eric, the 84A and 84B, which became the 207 and 208, were unique in that they had an auxilary water tank for the steam generators.  That piping was the fill pipe for the auxilary water tank which was mounted inside the carbody near the roof.  In bitter cold weather the Monon liked to use these engines whenever possibile because of the extra water supply.

Another unique feature of these two units were regular air hose that were mounted vertically on each side of the rear door, glad hand up, but they were used for water, not air.  When these were coupled between units, and the valves opened, they would equalize the steam generator water between the two units so one wouldn't run out of water before the other.  Sorry, I don't have a picture of the rear door on either of these units that show those hoses.  / Ron

PS, I was one of several firemen at McDoel that was qualified to hostle Monon passenger units at 10th. St. depot in  Louisville, and we had to fuel the engines and check all the steam generator stuff when the train arrived in the evening, and again before it left the next morning.  The regular hostler, Clarence "Stony" Stone was a fixture on the job, but we filled his vacations and vacancys from the McDoel board.

Ron Marquardt

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Re: Monon train in Hegewisch 1958
« Reply #6 on: December 22, 2014, 09:57:58 pm »
Here is a picture of the vertical water connection hose in the door of an unidentified F3, taken on the dead line at Shops.  This also shows the steam connections.  Photo courtesy Mike Albert.  / Ron