X-18

X-18, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

The Illinois Raiway Museum's General Electric 8500 GTEL, a gas-turbine powered electric locomotive. Designed for long haul use, the first turbines were delivered in 1951. X-18 is a third-generation version of the GTEL, delivered in the late 50's, and remained ins service until 1969. One of two survivors, #18 usually sits on the line and is kind of hard to shoot, but this weekend it was moved to this nice curved bit of track for display.

General Electric

General Electric, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

I think we're all familiar with the General Electric logo, in one form or another. This is an old one, probably from the 50's I imagine. It's on an old piece of railroad signaling equipment, which I found in the back of a local trolley museum. Proof that GE has made just about everything down through the years.

GE Appliances

GE Appliances, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

A vintage GE neon sign, in the window of an appliance store in Morrison, Illinois. This is a classic hanging sign, and is still in great shape despite years of being out in the weather.

Pennsy Noir

Pennsy Noir, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

Built specifically for the Pennsylvania Railroad, the GG1 was a unique, streamlined electric locomotive. They were also long lived-the GG1 was introduced in 1935, and served with the Pennsy, as well as successor companies Penn Central, Conrail, and Amtrak. The last GG1 left service in 1983.

Of the 140 GG1's built, fifteen survive. Sadly, none are currently operational, due mostly to the expense and other difficulties related to the large electrical transformers needed for such a large electric locomotive. This one, PRR 4927, served with Amtrak until the late 70's, and is now in storage at the Illinois Railway Museum.

Little Joe

Little Joe, a photo by William 74 on Flickr.

Originally built by General Electric for export to the Soviet Union, the EF-4 "Little Joe" was one of the most famous electric locomotives to appear on American rails. After sales to Russia were prohibited in the late 40's, the Joes languished at GE's facility until the Milwaukee Road started to show interest in them for it's electrified Rocky Mountain Division. The Milwaukee used them in both passenger and freight service, up until the end of electric service in the seventies.

Other users of Little Joes included Brazil's national railway (which received five of them), and the Chicago, South Shore, and South Bend, which got three of them. This survivor is one of the South Shore's, and is preserved at the Illinois Railway Museum.