Having acquired my first 35mm camera in 1957, I was eager to test its capabilities. One of my first shots was this view of the Bloomington yard from the Emerson Street bridge. Note the loudspeaker mounted on the pole at right. Before switching crews had radio equipment, the yardmaster directed their activities through this P.A. system. On a still summer night, with windows open in pre-air conditioning mode, neighboring residents were privy to the niceties of round-the-clock yard operations. With a slight westerly breeze, the sound of crashing couplers could be heard as far as our home, seven or eight blocks east of the yard. For a view of this scene in 2006, click here.