Steam & Excursion > Audio - CB&Q Steam Near Centralia

The last home for steam on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy was the line into the southern Illinois coal fields fron Beardstown, via Centralia.  Both O1a class Mikados (including soon to be famous #4960) and M4a class 2-10-4's (Colorados on the "Q") operated on coal trains out of Centralia into late 1958.

James Adams of Centralia was an employee of the Illinois Central Railroad, and made recordings of the last steam locomotives to operate out of Centralia.  In this video, we hear four recordings of M4a 2-10-4's on coal trains.  The first two recordings are of #6318 on Cravat Hill just south of town.  The third recording is of an unidentified M4a marching out of town at the Illinois Central diamonds.  The final sequence is of #6315, also on Cravat Hill.

Enjoy!

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions

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That's some beautiful music!

Nice shot of the M4a with the Mars light lit.  Thanks for posting all of these tapes!   BSB