Steam & Excursion > Backing From 27th Street

The Illinois Central 2400 class Mountains were one of the key designs in the history of later steam power.

The class was initially purchased to take the reigns from the 1100 series Pacifics on heavy passenger trains.  They quickly proved their worth is passenger service, and then proved equally capable moving strawberry and bannana trains on passenger-like schedules.  The railroad purchased sixty of the class, which were the inspiration for the 2500 class rebuilt from 2-10-2's and the 2600 class that was built from the ground up by the I.C. at Paducah, Kentucky.

This photo shows #2439, a 1925 product of the Lima Locomotive Works.  The locomotive has been serviced at the nearby 27th Street engine terminal to the south, and is backing north past the passenger yard and electric suburban facility.  In the background is Soldier Field, longtime home of the Chicago Bears (though the "renovation" done to the stadium some years back resulted in it looking like a U.F.O. crashed in it today).

The date of this photo is October 15th, 1949.  Between that late date and the versatility of the locomotive, we can't quite be sure what the locomotive's job is going to be today.  By this time most of the I.C.'s passenger trains have been dieselized, but it is a possibility that the locomotive could be heading to Central Station to pinch hit for ailing diesels or to take charge of a secondary train.  It could also be headed to Central Station to pick up a Big Four passenger train to forward to that railroad's home rails at Kankakee, Illinois.  However, it is just as likely that the locomotive is headed to Water Street or Congress Street to pick up a freight train.

Whatever the exact story from this image scanned from an uncredited negative in my collection, this locomotive will soon be proving the railroad got its money's worth nearly a quarter-century after she arrived from Ohio.

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions

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Super scenic view,
Bob

Really nice image !

refarkas Wrote:
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> Super scenic view,
> Bob
I too agree with Bob, 100%, that is a very nice looking steam locomotive.
John in White Marsh, Maryland

Nice shot!
Frank Willis would be proud of me. I've come to appreciate IC steam more as time goes by. Of course I maintained my Frisco allegiance and teased him about their sandboxes but I like them any way. 
He was a great guy and a close friend and I miss him. I had 2 close steam buddys who were my age or a tad older and we all shared love for steam and how our favorite roads ran before the disgusting diesels. Frank and Joe Collias.
Steve Lee is a hot IC steam fan also.
And of course, you, Mary!

GREAT PIC!! Despite being a Packers fan, I especially like the fact that Soldier Field is included. The expansion was an unfortunate, ugly looking quagmire.

Mark V.
“The Fort” in Indiana

Posted from iPhone

If the loco were backing to the freight yards, wouldn't it have, traffic permitting, typically exited 27th Street on the east side ?  At that time weren't there still a pair of freight tracks on that side of the coach/MU yards ?
I'm certainly not an IC expert -- the trackage in that area, pre-E-S connection, just always fascinated me.

An enjoyable photo !!

Best rgds, SZ