We’ve seen the office of the yardmaster at the C&NW Proviso Yard near Chicago. And we took a look at the yardmaster in his office on the Indiana Harbor Belt. Today we’ll take a peek into the yardmaster’s office at the Illinois Central’s yard in Chicago.

This seems to be the sparsest and most cramped of the offices we’ve seen. Yet I’m sure the gentleman in the suit has all he needs at hand. And of course, a good supply of Sanborn coffee sitting at the edge of the stove. It’s required that a hot pot be on hand at all times, and I’m sure it’s there, likely hidden by the flue pipe.

Jack Delano recorded this photo back in November of 1942.