IC motorman, 55th St., Chicago, IL, June 1978, photo by Chuck Zeiler

Illinois Central motorman, 55th St., Chicago, IL, June 1978, photo by Chuck Zeiler

I recall purchasing a new Pentax 35mm camera, with a motorized film advance, and was testing it near where I lived at the time, 55th St. on Chicago's South Side.

This type of operation was common for 50 years or so, I'll research the final run of the of the heavyweight Pullman's on the IC and post it here. These cars were built around 1927, and I'll research that also.

In today's world I imagine insurance people would faint at the site of this. At the time of the photo, he was rolling by at about 30-40 mph. Also, he must have recognized that his feet would not touch the floor; he has his right foot on a wood block. From his dress, perhaps he has some other plans after his run this evening.