[WWII Cartoon – Southern Pacific Railroad]

Proof drawing of a political cartoon celebrating leave in Portland, Oregon during World War II.

This amusing pen and ink sketch shows a group of American G.I.’s excitedly riding the Southern Pacific Railroad train to Portland – presumably ready to enjoy a long weekend of leave. Six passenger cars are connected to an outdated steam engage that chugs along an S-Curve towards the city, just ‘a few more miles’ down the line, according to the sign.

Most soldiers are either gambling or discussing women, though the excitement to arrive at their destination seems to be universal. A few unfortunate souls in the wrong place – whether entirely (sorry, sailor!), or on the train (note the face full of smoke).

The manuscript is clearly in a proof form, as there are several areas that show white-out corrections, penciled sketches, and the uniform texture has been applied as an overlay. The initials A.B. can be found in the lower center – possibly referring to Arthur Bimrose, a talented cartoonist for The Oregonian who served two years in the Pacific Theater.