I believe it is a fair statement for most railfans that A-Day weekend probably was the most momentous weekend spent in the pursuit of their hobby.
I would guess that in order to have any first hand "where were you' experiences, one is now likely almost the age of fifty; anyone much younger than that came from a family where railfanning was either a family, or at least a father-son, activity.
May I relate mine?
Friday April 30, 1971 (I was "closing in" on 30) saw me at CUS (then a cavern under construction account the abomination known as 222 S, Riverside Plaza, that "took out" the Concourse) along with a party of four for a last ride on MILW 103, The City of Everywhere. Destination was Savanna, IL. As always, the 20 some car Armour Yellow train "strecthed out of sight"; but tonight in addition to the media, many a fan was there taking photos of the event.
Once aboard I could not help but observe fans at every grade x-ing as well as a few places that could only be describes as trespassing. Dinner in the Diner was still "nothing could be finer'. I had my final bottle of UP's own vintnered Cabernet that I had been enjoying on UP Diners ever since I "was of age" (I know a collector that has an unopened bottle; it is probably vinegar by now, but I doubt if it is for sale). Even though the Dome Diner had been withdrawn some two years earlier, there was still the UP pride and style. If the crews, both MILW and UP, were riding off to an uncertain future, one would not know it.
We detrained at Savanna, and as 103 highballed, one knew that they were part of history. The drumhead, "Adios", said it all (there is a photo of that drumhead in a TRAINS). After a walk over to the CB&Q station and about a one hour wait, the Afternoon Zephyr showed up. This I must say was an anticlimatic ride home. By return to CUS, the media had dispersed, but a cadre of diehards were still there (including, sorry to note, an individual who commited an act of theft when in full view of many, whipped out a screwdriver, and helped himself to an "E-9" plate; this by the way cost him his Membership in at least one NRHS Chapter).
Saturday, A-Day I was back at CUS; there was a media presence because Richard the First (or the first Mayor-for-life-Daley) was there to "christen" Amtrak. The inaugural Empire Builder was there and the Mayor rolled on about "a new day for rail travel...Chicago's heritage as the Railroad Capital, etc, etc..) The only visible suggestion of Amtrak was a Pointless Arrow behind the mayor.
But basically, the only change, to the non-fan public was that "the 1030AM train to Milwaukee and Minneapolis" had a collage of BN (all predecessors represented) equipment, but otherwise was departing from the exact track that MILW #5, The Morning Hiawatha, departed from yesterday. Once aboard, it was pretty much business as usual, the MILW Conductor lifted transportation in the usual way (wasn't sure just how valid my Pass was going to be; it was). However, it was fun to observe the C&M from a Budd Dome, which, for those tuning in late, offered the best visibility of any dome design.
On arrival at MILW, we were met by a fellow I knoew who was "known for his "interpretations" of posted speeds in his Pontiac "Goat". To get West to a curve at Nashotah, was "no big deal" - plemty of time to set up and "bag" the NP (still complete with a Monad) F-Unit leading the inaugural Amtrak Empire Builder. Back to Milwaukee for a ride home on an inaugural Hiawaths Service train, which, with its four car MILW consist, could just as well been yesterday.
Arriving back at CUS, realtiy started to set in. Yesterday at 5PM most of the South Concourse tracks were hosting railroad LD trains. Now the only intercity train to be seen was the Super Chief making its inaugural run from CUS.
Sunday, or A+1, there were still railroad operated trains out on the road that would be arriving for the final time. So another fellow and I started to chase 'em in my 1968 VW (yup, that's what I had in younger days). On that day we 'caught and shot" the last MILW #104 at Davis Jct, the last BN #32 Builder-Coast-Zephyr at Rochelle, and ATSF #2, San Fran Chief at Streator (I believe #2/30th was the final non-Amtrak train to tie up anywhere).
Now it was time to head for the barn, catch up on "sleep deficit", reflect on the era that had now closed, and return to work Monday MILW and several colleagues saying "what's Amtrak?" (my Internal Audit Dept position was pretty much "fans welcome, just don't let it get in the way of the job").
I would guess that in order to have any first hand "where were you' experiences, one is now likely almost the age of fifty; anyone much younger than that came from a family where railfanning was either a family, or at least a father-son, activity.
May I relate mine?
Friday April 30, 1971 (I was "closing in" on 30) saw me at CUS (then a cavern under construction account the abomination known as 222 S, Riverside Plaza, that "took out" the Concourse) along with a party of four for a last ride on MILW 103, The City of Everywhere. Destination was Savanna, IL. As always, the 20 some car Armour Yellow train "strecthed out of sight"; but tonight in addition to the media, many a fan was there taking photos of the event.
Once aboard I could not help but observe fans at every grade x-ing as well as a few places that could only be describes as trespassing. Dinner in the Diner was still "nothing could be finer'. I had my final bottle of UP's own vintnered Cabernet that I had been enjoying on UP Diners ever since I "was of age" (I know a collector that has an unopened bottle; it is probably vinegar by now, but I doubt if it is for sale). Even though the Dome Diner had been withdrawn some two years earlier, there was still the UP pride and style. If the crews, both MILW and UP, were riding off to an uncertain future, one would not know it.
We detrained at Savanna, and as 103 highballed, one knew that they were part of history. The drumhead, "Adios", said it all (there is a photo of that drumhead in a TRAINS). After a walk over to the CB&Q station and about a one hour wait, the Afternoon Zephyr showed up. This I must say was an anticlimatic ride home. By return to CUS, the media had dispersed, but a cadre of diehards were still there (including, sorry to note, an individual who commited an act of theft when in full view of many, whipped out a screwdriver, and helped himself to an "E-9" plate; this by the way cost him his Membership in at least one NRHS Chapter).
Saturday, A-Day I was back at CUS; there was a media presence because Richard the First (or the first Mayor-for-life-Daley) was there to "christen" Amtrak. The inaugural Empire Builder was there and the Mayor rolled on about "a new day for rail travel...Chicago's heritage as the Railroad Capital, etc, etc..) The only visible suggestion of Amtrak was a Pointless Arrow behind the mayor.
But basically, the only change, to the non-fan public was that "the 1030AM train to Milwaukee and Minneapolis" had a collage of BN (all predecessors represented) equipment, but otherwise was departing from the exact track that MILW #5, The Morning Hiawatha, departed from yesterday. Once aboard, it was pretty much business as usual, the MILW Conductor lifted transportation in the usual way (wasn't sure just how valid my Pass was going to be; it was). However, it was fun to observe the C&M from a Budd Dome, which, for those tuning in late, offered the best visibility of any dome design.
On arrival at MILW, we were met by a fellow I knoew who was "known for his "interpretations" of posted speeds in his Pontiac "Goat". To get West to a curve at Nashotah, was "no big deal" - plemty of time to set up and "bag" the NP (still complete with a Monad) F-Unit leading the inaugural Amtrak Empire Builder. Back to Milwaukee for a ride home on an inaugural Hiawaths Service train, which, with its four car MILW consist, could just as well been yesterday.
Arriving back at CUS, realtiy started to set in. Yesterday at 5PM most of the South Concourse tracks were hosting railroad LD trains. Now the only intercity train to be seen was the Super Chief making its inaugural run from CUS.
Sunday, or A+1, there were still railroad operated trains out on the road that would be arriving for the final time. So another fellow and I started to chase 'em in my 1968 VW (yup, that's what I had in younger days). On that day we 'caught and shot" the last MILW #104 at Davis Jct, the last BN #32 Builder-Coast-Zephyr at Rochelle, and ATSF #2, San Fran Chief at Streator (I believe #2/30th was the final non-Amtrak train to tie up anywhere).
Now it was time to head for the barn, catch up on "sleep deficit", reflect on the era that had now closed, and return to work Monday MILW and several colleagues saying "what's Amtrak?" (my Internal Audit Dept position was pretty much "fans welcome, just don't let it get in the way of the job").