Rolling past farms with rich soil sprouting spring plants, a Burlington Northern local passes the approach signal for the crossing of C&NW’s Peoria line between Rock Falls and Harmon, Illinois, on June 10, 1984. BN operated this former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy branch from Sterling to Earlville, Illinois, known as the 10th Subdivision Branch Line of the Chicago Division. By this date, trackage of the branch was deteriorating and with traffic dwindling, trains would soon not be running on this 46.8-mile long line, and it would be torn up in 1985. BN GP40 No. 3030 is the former CB&Q No. 630, unfortunately running backwards—but hey, on an endangered line like this, we’ll take what we can get—besides, it is a former CB&Q locomotive!
