| Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad E7 9929A westbound on Train #21, The Morning Zephyr (aka Twin Cities Zephyr) a little east of Naperville, Illinois, June 24, 1965, photo by Chuck Zeiler. The CB&Q E7's were delivered with silver (actually, the paint color was called Aluminum) side panels. Some, not all, of the E7's were retrofitted with stainless steel side panels when they were shopped. This photo shows two E7's that received stainless steel panels. The cab and roof remained painted. And here's a note about this particular E7 from Karl Rethwisch, a retired CB&Q Engineer:An engine used to show up at Aurora Roundhouse for inspection purposes and be gone for 32 days again. This engine caused me more headaches than ALL of the E8's and E9's combined !! The headache I speak of was a CLINICAL headache, not a metaphorical headache. The source of this chronic and sometimes debilitating condition was none other than Miss 9929A herself, dang her !! All E8's and 9's had their control switches neatly arrayed on a panel immediately to the left of, and slightly lower than, the control stand. These switches energized the control circuits, (e.g. fuel pump, generator field, headlight) and such other appurtenances as the Engineer may find useful. The E7's, however, like F units, had a row of these switches just above the Engineer's window. So, after 32 days of hostling 8's and 9's you kinda have a tendency to forget these little nuances of design. Climb up on an engine, go to lean out the window to get a sign from the Roundhouse Helper and BAM !!!!,, 9929A. Every month I'd have a series of from two to three red welts on my forehead. OUCH !!!!!!!!! |