This illustration is one of the new series of streamlined locomotives produced by General Motors’ Electromotive Division. This one was a E-7 version, operated by the Pere Marquette during the declining days of passenger rail transport in the United States.
Natural Color Postcard Made in U.S.A. by E. C. Kropp, Co., Milwaukee, Wis.
The description on the back states:
THE PERE MARQUETTES
First of the postwar streamliners. Pere Marquette Railway’s all-reserved-seat coach trains operate on Michigan’s fastest rail schedules between Detroit, Lansing and Grand Rapids.
–While these are arguably the most photogenic, the most well known Pere Marquette locomotive still in operation is the Pere Marquette 1225, a 2-8-4 Berkshire locomotive restored and used as the model for the film “The Polar Express”.
I was personally involved in the restoration of the 1225 during my time at Michigan State University between 1974 and 1977. I acted as MSU Railroad Club Secretary as well as working directly on the locomotive.
This illustration dates from the 1940s.