Railroads, Chicago-style

Chicago and Northwestern GP18 1776 Melrose Park, IL 1-2-1978 by Cody White Via Flickr: Here’s a shot of the CNW “Bicentennial” GP18 1776 at the Proviso Diesel Shop in January 1978. The 1776 was built as CNW 1776 in March 1960 and I’m guessing because of it’s number it was a obvious choice for the Bicentennial unit. This unit received the CNW Bicentennial scheme in August 1975 and wore it until December 1978. This scheme is pretty classy and tasteful with the star delineators on the side sill and the generous use of white and blue paint. The CNW GP18s had four 36" fans instead of the normal two 48" fans that was standard on the GP18. This was due to the fans being reused from trade in F3s. Melrose Park, IL January 2, 1978. Paul Hunnell Photo.

Caption: “Eight diesels in Bicentennial paint schemes gather at Belt Railway of Chicago 87th Street yard for portrait to mark Trains magazine 35th anniversary.”

July 31, 1975

Photo by Mike Schafer

Rock Island Line Quad Cities Rocket at La Salle Street Station in Chicago, with  EMD E8 #652 in the Bicentennial paint scheme.

March 1978

Verne Brummel (photographer) / Dave Cramer (photo editing).

SSW SD45T-2 9389

Caption: “This scene took place back in the heart of the BiCentennial craze.  The Cotton Belt's sharp Bi-Cen was sitting in Rock Island's yard at Blue Island.  For some reason, it was joined by Tinley Park's Spirit of 1976 firetruck.  We didn't see any other photographers, official or otherwise, and enjoyed this moment to ourselves.  Kind of strange....”

Blue Island, Illinois

July 30, 1975 

Photo by Bill Johnson

N&W's Bicentennial SD45 by ihbconnection on Flickr.

AT&SF SD45-2 5704 by Chuck Zeiler on Flickr.

BRC MP15DC 534 by Chuck Zeiler on Flickr.

Belt Railway Company of Chicago MP15DC 534 at Clearing Yard in Bedford Park, Chicago, Illinois on July 26, 1975. Kodachrome by J. H. Nixon, Chuck Zeiler collection.