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Considering the number of grade crossings between Chicago
and St. Louis, it is a wonder that even more accidents like the one above
did not occur. Here is severely damaged GM&O E-7A 102
immediately after a grade crossing accident with a gravel truck at Chenoa,
Illinois in 1971. Note the flames emitting from the fuel tank.
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At the time of this accident, AMTRAK had replaced most of
the GM&O cars, except the parlor car, with Union Pacific equipment.
After the accident, ICG sold the little damaged UP cars to AMTRAK for
$6,000 each...not a bad deal. (Chenoa Clipper Times).
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Late in the career of E-7A 100, it acquired a blocked off
second headlight entry door from a retired CB&Q E unit. As a
consequence, a different logo placement was necessary. This is the
only known E-7 to have this modification. I encountered this train
Northbound at Funk's Grove in 1971.
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The above photo was in the files at the Bloomington shops and is a mystery
to me. The car appears to be under construction in the ACF shops.
However, the number does not match this type of equipment,
nor have I ever seen the "The Alton Route" block type
placed in the center of the car. Perhaps this was a never used test
paint and lettering scheme. (The number 5803 was actually assigned
to one of the low profile pre-war B&O cars). Can someone can
shed some light on the subject?
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