http://rrslideshow.com/jdemike/main.php http://rrslideshow.com/jdemike/v/mhinsdale/mhinsdale_045/001+GM_amp_O+_Plug___+Dpt+CUS+Chicago+IL++7-77.jpg.html 14784 On a very hazy, humid July afternoon, "The Plug" heads out of Chicago Union Station on its weekday trek to Joliet. http://rrslideshow.com/jdemike/v/mhinsdale/mhinsdale_045/002+GM_amp_O+_Plug___+CUS+Chicago+IL+++6-77.jpg.html 14788 From 18th Street, where Amtrak's Chicago Maintenance Facility stands today, "The Plug" approaches the drawbridge over the South Branch of the Chicago River. The ex-EL equipment in the background was being readied for use in Conrail's Chicago-Va http://rrslideshow.com/jdemike/v/mhinsdale/mhinsdale_045/003+GM_amp_O+_Plug___+Bridgeport+_Chgo_+IL++7-77.jpg.html 14791 The outbound "Plug" passes through Bridgeport, where the IC Iowa Division, the Santa Fe to the west, and the GM&O to Joliet and St. Louis divided. The four head searchlight signals toward the rear of the train were unusual, even in Chicago. http://rrslideshow.com/jdemike/v/mhinsdale/mhinsdale_045/004+GM_amp_O+_Plug___+Joliet+IL+_1_+++7-77.jpg.html 14794 Upon arrival at Joliet, commuters make their way from the train to their cars for the final leg of their trip home. http://rrslideshow.com/jdemike/v/mhinsdale/mhinsdale_045/005+GM_amp_O+_Plug___+Joliet+IL+_2_++7-77.jpg.html 14797 With an Amtrak St. Louis bound train behind it, "The Plug" prepares to move from Joliet Union Station to its overnight resting place south of town. http://rrslideshow.com/jdemike/v/mhinsdale/mhinsdale_045/006+GM_amp_O+_Plug___+Joliet+IL+_3_++7-77.jpg.html 14800 In short order, the GM&O train accelerates across the Rock Island and heads out of Joliet Union Station. http://rrslideshow.com/jdemike/v/mhinsdale/mhinsdale_045/007+GM_amp_O+_Plug___+Lemont+IL++7-77.jpg.html 14803 On a warm July '77 afternoon, "The Plug" departs the picturesque suburb of Lemont IL on its journey to Joliet. http://rrslideshow.com/jdemike/v/mhinsdale/mhinsdale_045/008+GM_amp_O+_Plug___+S_+Joliet+IL++7-77.jpg.html 14806 It's weekday job complete, the commuter consist parks at the small South Joliet service track to await the next morning's inbound trip to Chicago. http://rrslideshow.com/jdemike/v/mhinsdale/mhinsdale_045/009+GM_amp_O+N+Bd+Frt__+W+of+Lemont+IL++5-73.jpg.html 14809 In May '73, a northbound freight sits on the southbound main track just west of Lemont to allow one of Amtrak's new RTG Turbotrains approaching from St Louis to run around it. http://rrslideshow.com/jdemike/v/mhinsdale/mhinsdale_045/010+GM_amp_O+_+Glenn+Yd__+Chicago+IL++8-77.jpg.html 14812 First and second generation power rests side by side at ICG's ex GM&O Glenn Yard om southwestern Chicago. http://rrslideshow.com/jdemike/v/mhinsdale/mhinsdale_045/011+GM_amp_O+%23883A+_+Glenn+Yd__+Chicago+IL++_1_++6-77.jpg.html 14815 On a beautiful afternoon at Glenn Yard, GM&O F 3 # 883-A awaits its next assignment, most likely a transfer job to ICG's Markham Yard, at this final point in its career. http://rrslideshow.com/jdemike/v/mhinsdale/mhinsdale_045/012+GM_amp_O+%23883A+_+Glenn+Yd__+Chicago+IL++_2_++6-77.jpg.html 14818 By 1977, the remaining F's still in GM&O colors were road weary, usually confined to Chicago area transfer work and destined to be retired rather than repainted in ICG orange and white. http://rrslideshow.com/jdemike/v/mhinsdale/mhinsdale_045/013+GM_amp_O+%23711+_+Glenn+Yd__+Chicago+IL++6-77.jpg.html 14821 At Chicago's Glenn Yard, red and white GP 38 # 711 represents GM&O's newer power, delivered in 1969. Most of GM&O's second generation power had long since been integrated into the rest of ICG's main line fleet and could be found anywhere on the http://rrslideshow.com/jdemike/v/mhinsdale/mhinsdale_045/014+GM_amp_O+%23811-A__+Bloomington+IL++6-75.jpg.html 14824 A June 1975 visit to the former GM&O shops at Bloomington IL yielded a fair amount of vintage power still in service. This pair of F 3's with the 811-A had just arrived at Bloomington off a train from the south. http://rrslideshow.com/jdemike/v/mhinsdale/mhinsdale_045/015+GM_amp_O+%23880-A__+Bloomington+IL++6-75.jpg.html 14827 A rather tattered F 3 #880A sits outside the century old Bloomington Shops, constructed out of native Illinois limestone by the Chicago and Alton RR. http://rrslideshow.com/jdemike/v/mhinsdale/mhinsdale_045/016+GM_amp_O+%23810-B__+Bloomington+IL++6-75.jpg.html 14830 At the south end of Bloomington Yard, the 810-B and mates prepare to tie onto a cut of cars and head south toward Springfield. http://rrslideshow.com/jdemike/v/mhinsdale/mhinsdale_045/017+GM_amp_O+%23809-B+_amp_+ICG+Yd+Crew__+Bloomington+IL+6-75.jpg.html 14833 In Bloomington Yard, F 3 #809-B waits as a yard crew with an ICG switcher pulls a track of cars out to classify. http://rrslideshow.com/jdemike/v/mhinsdale/mhinsdale_045/018+GM_amp_O+%23920__+Blooimington+IL++6-75.jpg.html 14836 In 1975, the former GM&O's biggest power was still a common sight at Bloomington. Here, SD-40 #920 sits on the service track outside the Bloomington Shops. http://rrslideshow.com/jdemike/v/mhinsdale/mhinsdale_045/019+GM_amp_O+S+Bd+Frt__+Sherman+IL++6-75.jpg.html 14839 Making better than 60 mph, a southbound ICG freight with a brace of ex GM&O F's barrels through Sherman IL, just north of Springfield in June 1975. http://rrslideshow.com/jdemike/v/mhinsdale/mhinsdale_045/020+GM_amp_O+%23610__+East+St+Louis+IL+++6-75.jpg.html 14842 GP 35 #610, riding on Alco trucks off traded in FA-2's, switches the former IC yard at East St Louis IL.