Jack Delano made his mark as a photographer in 1938-39, documenting the poverty in the Pennsylvania minefields.
He was then hired as a photographer for the Farm Security Administration (FSA) from 1940-43, his railroad photography was taken in 1942-43 for the Office of War Information, which absorbed the FSA's photography operation after the U.S. entered WWII.
His B&W RR photography was highlighted almost 35 years ago in "Decade of the Trains; The 1940's, by Don Ball.
John Gruber has long championed Delano's photos, first as editor of "Vintage Rails" (published 1995-1999) and lately as a director of the Center for Railroad Photography & Art.
Here is a B&W image from the Don Ball book, and a Delano color transparency from 1942 of engines in the C&NW roundhouse at Proviso yard near Chicago.
Kent, if the steam shot was duplicated today, would that fit your idea of "timeless"?
