Neat signal bridge there that probably I forget the details, but I might recall that following the Rock's bankruptcy, Chicago's Regional Transportation Authority deployed C&NW coaches to former Rock Island routes. I'd moved away from Chicago a few years prior, so my memory of what was going on then is hazy. I'm thinking that the photo is not on a C&NW line because its headlight would have been lit on a left-hand running railroad and track maintenance is below C&NW standards for its three commuter lines.
Some freshly painted Amtrak engines of IC heritage. Blue Island Tower in the background. Anglund Rock Island Collection.
Quite the contrast between the old Rock and those Amtrak MoW Geeps! Like the high "ditchlights" on that Rock unit!
Bankrupt Blue is something I can share as well. Norfolk & Portsmouth Belt Line at Portsmouth, VA, 25 Mar 21:
Looks like one of the DRGW dome observations that the Rio Grande purchased from the C&O's failed Chessie experiment.
Might be. D&RGW bought them to equip the postwar Prospector, and snagged some orders the C&O released, and was able to avoid starting at the back of the line. While not optioned how Rio Grande liked, it gave them access to the product much sooner.
Sorry, I don't have that information. I suppose it was a day trip out and back on one of the lines coming out of Chicago.