I think it is amazing that this old Chicago & Northwestern mainline coaling tower still spans the busy Union Pacific east-west transcon at Dekalb, Illinois.

This photograph was taken within an hour after Sunrise back on October 10th, 2000, with the Sun shining straight through a small opening in the concrete walls of the coal tower accenting the black silhouette with a burst of bright light. ~~ A Jeff Hampton Photograph ©

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On August 27th, 2000 westbound Union Pacific train PRIT passes under the old C&NW coaling tower at Clyman Junction, Wisconsin - back in the days of steam this was a busy place which included the junction with the line that came down from Fond du Lac and up from Janesville. ~~ A Jeff Hampton Photograph ©

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With colors that almost match the afternoon December sky - A nice clean GMTX leased unit is leading a westbound local on the Union Pacific's Adams Line near North Lake, Wisconsin. -- December 10th, 2013 ~~ A Jeff Hampton Photograph ©

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The ice of overnight freezing rain is still clinging to the tree branches the morning of December 21st, 2013 as eastbound Union Pacific Roadrailer train ZEMCH-20 passes through approaching North Lake, Wisconsin. ~~ A Jeff Hampton Photograph ©

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It looks like lead SD70m #3816 has just recently received a set of rebuilt trucks - this is westbound Union Pacific train PRSS photographed just out of North Lake, Wisconsin on January 2nd, 2014. ~~ A Jeff Hampton Photograph ©

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