In January of 1943, while traveling in the caboose of a Chicago and North Western freight train, Jack Delano captured this image of the conductor acknowledging a “high sign” from a switch tender as they were passing through Cortland, Illinois. The workers on the ground (some can be seen down by the switch) have visually inspected the train for problems as it was passing by.

Cortland is on the route running between Chicago and Clinton, Iowa. The depot can be seen in the distance, left of the track.