The Oddball

In the name of historical accuracy, CNS&M 768 has lost its stripes.

Earlier this week, when I first posted this drawing, a discussion arose on the Yahoo group for the CNS&M. The question was posed, "What else did the Lake Forest Man notice about the rear car?" Well it turns out that When the North Shore redid 768 as a Silverliner, they decided to cut the shadow striping from the side in an effort to save money. The result is above. It just doesn't look right, and needless to say, it was taken back to Highwood for finishing soon after.

Until next time,
Zach

A Saturday Morning Drive

On Saturday, June 28^th 1958, a local Lake Forest man is out for a morning drive in his 1955 Chevrolet Bel-Air. As he drives west on Old Elm Road, he approaches the right of way of the Chicago North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad. Suddenly, the wig wag signal guarding Old Elm Road swings into action and an air horn can be heard in the distance. As the man stops a blur of silver and red bursts out from behind the Sheridan Elms station, and charges past. The man takes note of a particularly clean car on the end of the train as it disappears into a trail of dust. The wig wag stops swinging, and the man continues on his drive into the quietness of Saturday morning.

The man saw car 768, built by Standard Car Company in 1930. It was rebuilt as a Silverliner by  the CNS&M’s Highwood Shops and released into traffic the previous Tuesday, June 24^th 1958. It would be the final of 31 cars rebuilt as Silverliners by the North Shore in the 1950’s. Also in the train is car 750, rebuilt as a Silverliner in December 1952 and looking a little worse for wear. It would be repainted in 1959.

Until Next Time,

Zach