BN NW2 509 at Aurora, Illinois on September 8, 1982, Kodachrome by Chuck Zeiler. In the background is the former CB&Q Aurora Roundhouse, rumored to be the first roundhouse built in the USA (around 1856), abandon by the BN in 1974 and slated for demolition, purchased in 1995 by Walter Payton (Chicago Bears) for $10.00 (yes, ten dollars), redeveloped into a retaurant, purchased from Payton interests in 2011 by Two Brothers Brewery. Also in the background is my van, a customized 1975 six-cylinder Ford E-100. In 1982, a windowless van wasn't creepy. When I first got it I thought about repainting it to match the CB&Q switcher paint scheme. Ahh, to be young and stupid again. |