I snapped this early-model diesel powering a westbound passenger train on the UP through Kearney with my camera in the late 1940s. What's notable about the shot is that both the Union Pacific and Burlington stations are visible.
The diesel pictured here is an E7 and, according to one correspondent who should know, we think it is pulling a westbound City of Los Angeles (COLA) through Kearney in this mid-day scene. Train #103 would have been due through at 05:45 in the morning, but the lighting indicates it is noon or somewhat later. The COLA would make a flag-stop here only if passengers were boarding for the far West, but this train is really moving today.
(In an earlier statement here, I said that I thought that this was a freight going through, but when you look at the photo enlargement you can clearly see the baggage car following the A-B-A locomotives pulling the train.)
On the right is the CB&Q (Burlington) station that served as the endpoint for the Hastings branch. And the CB&Q — alas, now the BNSF — is still serving Kearney on the "new" K&BH that is under construction in my Northbrook basement at this time.
Another
fascinating detail is the crossing-guard's shack visible in the distance
on the right. You can see it in the actual-size photo
above, but here is a magnified view to zoom in closer:
I think I can see a human figure standing to the left of the shack (but other viewers disagree). What do you think?
Many thanks to my email correspondents who have helped identify the locomotive model and other details.