In January of 1943 Jack Delano hopped a ride on a Chicago and North Western freight train at Proviso Yard near Chicago, and made the round trip to Clinton, Iowa and return. Back in late May I posted a few photos of the tower “HM” in Elmhurst, Illinois as they were passing by.

Their train had been routed into the “hole” (a passing track), waiting for a passenger train to go by. It’s customary for the crew of the waiting train to do a “rolling inspection” of the other train as it passes by, with one crewman crossing to the far side of the track so both sides of the train get a look.

The varnish has rushed by and the rear-end brakeman is back aboard his caboose, signaling the front end crew that he’s ready to depart. The brakeman will soon be back in his perch in the cupola, likely with a hot cup of java.