While trains 73  & 74 were the only scheduled through freights across the St Louis line, the Rock Island did operate locals in each direction our of Eldon. On the est end, these locals served customers at Union, Owensville, Belle, Meta and Freeburg. GP7 #1205 has a 21-car westbound local in tow near Owensville on October 20, 1975. (Paul Dalman photo)

This excerpt from Rails Around Missouri can be found in Chapter 7, page 178. Rails Around Missouri is a hardcover, 224-page book filled with over 500 all-color photos of the railroads of Missouri from 1946-1985, with history and maps going back to the 1800s. Sold out in early 2014, Rails Around Missouri is back in hard-cover print, due for re-release by December 1, 2015. Order your copy below, and it will come signed by the author, in time for Christmas. Postal, email and dealer orders can be placed with the publisher, Britegraphics, of Pittsburg KS. Contact Don Banwart, donald@sekan.com for more info on those options.

My price is $54.95 plus $8 shipping.