Railroads, Chicago-style

Burlington Route freight train

Aurora, Illinois

Photo by Terry Spirek

Burlington Northern E9 locomotives used for Chicago area commuter trains at the coach yard in Aurora, Illinois

September 10, 1975

Photo by Mark Llanuza

Soggy Sunday by Danial Via Flickr: After fanning the racetrack the previous day, Sunday morning found us at the end of the racetrack, at Aurora. We were greeted by clouds, rain and resting veteran E9 locomotives. Metra, BN Aurora terminal Aurora, IL July 23, 1990

Faithful green steeds

"Still hauling passengers as Electro-Motive Division intended, a trio of Burlington Northern E9 'E units' line up on commuter trains in the Metra yard at Aurora, Illinois, on April 16, 1988. At the time, they were as common as a SD40-2 powered freight train on BN’s triple-track, but now…"

Photo by Mike Danneman

BN 9905 and 9908 at Aurora, IL by John Benner Via Flickr: “BN E9's await the morning commuter rush at Aurora, IL under the moonrise on September 16, 1989.”

CB&Q 9946B Three Times by Marty Bernard Via Flickr: 9946B was built in 1950 and became BN 9952 then AMTK 345 and finally AMTK 465. Departing Aurora with a Dinky on May 24, 1964. The two large gold color circle stickers on the unit's nose are for the CB&Q's 100th year of serving the Chicago suburbs on their own line between Aurora and Chicago. 5632 was painted gold for that occasion. Aurora Tower can be seen to the right. The train is just at the east end of the station platforms.

Photo by Marty Bernard

From Classic Trains: “The fireman of Burlington 2-8-2 No. 4960 strikes a classic pose atop the tender while taking water at Aurora, Ill., during a fantrip in July 1966.”

Photo by Chris Burger

(via Aurora, Illinois, 15JUN'68 | The CB&Q eastbound “Denver Zeph… | Flickr)

“The CB&Q eastbound Denver Zephyr arrives at station behind an E7 and two E8’s.”

Aurora, Illinois

June 15, 1968

Photo by Paul Enenbach

(via Aurora, Illinois, 15JUN'68 | CB&Q's eastbound "California Ze… | Flickr)

“CB&Q's eastbound California Zephyr behind E8, E7, E8 (9943B….) arrives at the station, while E9 (9991) awaits departure on the right  (with E8 9944B) with the westbound North Coast Limited. The NCL is Northern Pacific's flagship train from St. Paul to Seattle, but the Q handled it from Chicago to the Twin Cities. Often the NCL was combined with the Great Northern's Empire Builder as well as the Q's own Afternoon Zephyr, making a long and colorful train into and out of Chicago. This being the beginning of the Summer travel season, there was evidently enough passengers to justify - or necessitate - running the trains separately.”

Aurora, Illinois

June 15, 1968

Photo by Paul Enenbach

CB&Q eastbound freight passes station behind two GP30, SD24 (940-963-510)

Aurora, Illinois

June 15, 1968

Photo by Paul Enenbach

My favorite CB&Q SW1 – 4 Photos by railfan 44 on Flickr.

Caption: “CB&Q SW1 9153 switching the Aurora, IL depot on May 24, 1964. Note the fancy circular antenna and motor-generator for early train radios on top of the hood.” Photo by Marty Bernard

Metra and BN locomotives

Aurora, Illinois

1992

Photo by Adam Farence

Caption: “Burlington 4960 is Chicago-bound as she departs Aurora in 1964 on a trip from Ottawa.”

Photo by Lou Gerard

(via Burlington 4960 | Burlington 4960 is Chicago bound as she de… | Flickr)

CB&Q 4960 in the Coach Yard and at the Roundhouse

Aurora, Illinois

June 20, 1965

Photos by Marty Bernard

From The Trolley Dodger blog:

Chicago Aurora & Elgin car 425 at the Aurora Terminal in 1927.

Covered wagons at rest by Mike Danneman Via Flickr: A group of Burlington Northern E9s lay over in the commuter yard at Aurora, Illinois, on June 8, 1991.

Photo by Mike Danneman

(via Aurora Service Stop | Burlington 4960 is being coaled with a… | Flickr)

Caption: “Burlington 4960 is being coaled with a Burro Crane at Aurora during a November 18, 1962 fantrip. This is now the site of the Aurora Metra station, the Q's Aurora shops can be seen in the background.”

Photo by Gordon Quigley (collection of Lou Gerard)