Friday, March 30, 2007

Eastbound CSX Transportation double stack container train. Hayford Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. March 2007.

I took this photo on Tuesday evening after work this week. I was enroute to My families house in Bridgeview Illinois for a visit. I took a small detour enroute, and stopped at Hayford junction for the first time since at least 1993. I used to come here by bicycle during the 1980's. An eastbound CSX Transportation intermodal train, has just left the Belt Railway of Chicago's Clearing Yard in Bedford Park Illinois. The train is about to cross over the former Grand Trunk Western mainline crosstracks. The trees in the background, is where the traffic control, dispatchers office building used to stand. It was demolished in the early 1990's. It was great to be back here again after many years. It's still as busy as ever too.

Eastbound Union Pacific double stack container train. Hayford Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. March 2007.

I took this photo Tuesday this week after work. An eastbound Union Pacific intermodal train has just cleared the Canadian National -ex Grand Trunk Western crosstracks at Hayford Junction.
Hayford Junction is located at west 75th Street and south Central Park Avenue, in Chicago's Ashburn neighborhood. The large factory in the background to the left, is the Nabisco plant.
This large baking company filled the air with the smell of fresh chocolate chip cookies. Mmmm.

Northbound CTA Purple line train at west Granville Avenue. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo at work one day in January of 2007. Seen here just a 1/2 block west of the convenience store I had just taken an order for, is a northbound Chicago Transit Authority Purple line train enroute to Wilmette Illinois. After a lenghty journey from downtown Chicago, the train will terminate it's run at the Linden Street station in north suburban Wilmette Illinois.

BNSF Railway one car transfer train waiting for clearance. Chicago Illinois USA. Late January 2007.

I took this photo just east of south Lawndale Avenue near west 49th Street, in January of 2007. The unusual "One car" double stack, is more than likely an extra or special movement to the Belt Railway of Chicago Clearing Yard.
This was an old high school days railfanning hangout for Me during the late 1970's and early 80's, while I was attending nearby Curie High School. The ex Burlington Northern locomotive, an EMD SD 40-2, is waiting on the Belt Railway of Chicago track connection to the former Santa Fe Corwith Yard facility. The bridge pier to the right, is the CTA Orange line rapid transit to Chicago's Midway Airport. It was good to see the old place again after many years.

Thursday, March 29, 2007

The original Dove's Candie's at west 60th Street and south Pulaski Road. (Gone) Chicago Illinois USA. April 1986.

I took this 35mm time exposure photo, back in April of 1986. Seen here is the long gone Dove's ice cream and candy shop at west 60th Street and south Pulaski Road near Chicago's Midway airport. I am so glad that I took this photo.
Some time shortly after I took this particulair photo, the family that owned this had sold the business, and this store soon became a Remax Real Estate Agency on this corner. Dove's Ice Cream and candy bars are now mass produced, and are available at most Grocery stores today.
This is the place where it all got started.

Southbound CSX intermodal transfer train. Bridgeview Illinois USA. October 1998.

I took this photo looking east from the 87th Street overpass bridge, in SW suburban Bridgeview Illinois. The CSX Transportation intermodal transfer, is seen heading southbound on the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad.

Eastbound Canadian National switching local. Hawthorne Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. March 2007.

I took this photo after work one day, in March of 2007. A very slow and lenghty BNSF Railway unit grain train, had finally cleared the crosstracks at Hawthorne Junction. Soon, this eastbound Canadian National 2 unit switching local recieved clearance from the dispatcher, and is seen here proceeding east over the former Illinois Central Iowa Division mainline. Notice the GTW reporting marks on the side of the locomotive cab.

Northbound Canadian Pacific intermodal transfer train with an old Soo Line caboose. Hawthorne Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. March 2007.

I took this photo in March of 2007 near the Chicago city limits. A northbound Canadian Pacific Railroad intermodal transfer train, is passing over the Canadian National -ex Illinois Central crosstracks at Hawthorne Junction. The Canadian Pacific is still using some of these former Soo Line cabooses on some of it's transfer trains and switching locals in 2007. The Canadian Pacific train is traveling north on the Belt Railway of Chicago's north-south line to the interchange at Craigin Junction. The Canadian Pacific absorbed the Soo Line in a 1990 merger.

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Eastbound Canadian National RR switching local waiting for clearance. Hawthorne Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. March 2007.

An eastbound Canadian National switching local has just arrived from the former Illinois Central Hawthorne Yard in Cicero Illinois, and now is waiting west of the Belt Railway of Chicago crosstracks. A very lenghty and slow moving BNSF unit grain train was proceeding south over the Belt Railway of Chicago tracks, blocking the crosstracks to all east /west traffic. Just south of here on the other side of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, is Nerska Junction. Nerska Junction is where the Belt Railway of Chicago crosses the former Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe mainline. Nerska Junction was tied up at the time with a lot of east / west BNSF freight traffic, and the southbound too had to stop and wait for clearance to proceed. Lots of railroad traffic jams were experienced in Chicago on this lovely late afternoon in the early springtime.

Looking east from the Laramie Avenue bridge. The Burlington Northern Railroad's Clyde Yard. Cicero Illinois USA. June 1985.

I took this photo from the east side of the Laramie Avenue bridge in Cicero Illinois back in June of 1985. This is the very busy BN Clyde Yard, located just west of the Chicago city limits.
In the background can be seen the Chicago city skyline, and the Western Electric plant along south Cicero Avenue near west 25th Street.
The old Western Electric plant was demolished in January of 1987, and the site has been redeveloped into a large strip mall. Around the time of the 1995 Burlington Northern / Santa Fe merger...A new bridge with tall metal mesh siding was built on Laramie Avenue. The bridge in the background to the right, is Ogden Avenue, wich was also old Route # 66 prior to 1962.

Tuskegee Railroad # 101 recieving mechanical attention. The Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois USA. June 1986.

I took this photo looking west, from the East Union passenger depot at the museum. A crewmember is devoting some time for inspection and adjustments on Tuskegee Railroad 2 -6 -2 type steam locomotive between demonstration runs on the mainline. This locomotive worked on the 8 mile Tuskegee Railroad in the state of Alabama originally.
Locomotive # 101 operated under steam at the museum from approximately 1970 to 1986.
It is currently undergoing a lenghty overhaul.

Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad picture postcard.

I bought this old railroad picture postcard, proboubly at a stamp collectors show or a flea market during the 1980's.
The locomotive shown here, is an EMD GP-7 roadswitcher from the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. This locomotive originally wore a colorful red and black color scheme with elaborate white stripes. This early paint scheme was difficult and expensive to maintain. By the late 1950's and early 60's, the Rock Island switched to this simpler reddish brown scheme with white striping seen here. The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific was a major railroad in the city of Chicago Illinois. The Rock Island struggled with bankruptcy issues during it's final years, and went out of the railroad business during Febuary of 1980.

Platform activity on Metra Electric lines fantrip. Chicago Illinois USA. May 1990.

Judging by the shadows and bright sunshine, this station stop was proboubly photographed near the end of the Chartered excursion. In May of 1990, I was on a special railfans charter train that toured the Metra /ex Illinois Central electric commuter lines. This outing was sponsored by the Central Electric Railfans association. We were treated to some photo runbys enroute. I don't remeber what station this was at on Chicago's southeast side, but more than likely...this could have been the last photo runby of the day.

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Dinnertime at the Wonderburger. 11045 south Kedzie Avenue. Chicago Illinois USA. March 2007.


Hello everyone!
Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page.
It has been a long day at work today, and I am hungry.
I thought it would be nice to meet at Wonderburger to begin our session today.
Me and My friends used to eat here quiete a bit during the 1980's. This restaurant, located just north of west 111th Street on south Kedzie Avenue, has always been one of My favorite places to visit in Chicago's Mount Greenwood neighborhood. The prices are within reason here, and the food is very good.
Wonderburger, has been in the restaurant review section of some of Chicago's newspapers. Their homemade "Curly Fries" are absolutely fantastic. I love to enjoy a nice hot bowl of Chilli with a side of Cheddar Q's when I eat there.
If You are on Chicago's southwest side, please check it out.

Northbound Indiana Harbor Belt RR transfer train. Franklin Park Illinois USA. March 2007.


I took this photo from the north side of the Grand Avenue underpass. A concrete construction worker, is seen putting on one of many finishing touches to the underpass that is nearing completion. A northbound IHB transfer train of Auto Racks is approaching My location, and will soon pass Me by very slowly. It was a lovely morning to go train spotting.

The Chicago,Burlington & Quincy Pioneer Zephyr passenger train. Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. August 1984.

I took this photo in the backyard, of the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry on a 1984 Family visit. There was a special event entitled "A celebration of railroading", wich had honored the 1934 Pioneer Zephyr's 50th Aniversary. The Pioneer Zephyr, was America's first diesel powered streamline passenger train, and was in service until 1960. It was donated to the Museum of Science and Industry shortly after retirement. Behind the Pioneer Zephyr, is the captured World War 2 German submarine U-505.
Many years of outdoor storage in Chicago's extreme bad weather elements, caused the museum to do complete cosmetic restorations in the mid 1990's, and eventual relocation to a climate controlled underground display area near the museum parking facility.

Eastbound Norfolk Southern Railroad unit grain train. Chicago Illinois USA. October 2006.

I took this photo looking east, at the Metra Hanson Park commuter rail depot. The freight train is on a bypass track that avoids the commuter train right of way through here. The train is heading east over the Canadian Pacific RR trackage to Craigin Junction, wich is located just east of Cicero and Grand Avenues. Here the train will proceed south on the Belt Railway of Chicago to Clearing Yard, located in southwest suburban Bedford Park Illinois USA. After work, I would see this train once more on southbound BRC trackage. The train was on a hold order, and was stuck in a railroad traffic jam with other trains on the same track. Junctions get busy at times.

Arrival in Kenosha Wisconsin USA. April 2001.

I took this photo at the Kenosha Wisconsin Metra commuter rail station in April of 2001. I had just arrived Myself after traveling an hour and a half, aboard an all stops local. I was spending a lovely but still chilly Saturday afternoon, in the early spring of 2001 watching and riding the Kenosha Electric Streetcars. I spent time seeing many nice things around town by the lakefront, and enjoyed a nice lunch that day at the Boathouse bar and grill. It was a pleasant one day escape for Me.

Monday, March 26, 2007

Arrival in Oak lawn Illinois.March 2007.

I took this photo after work one day, in March of 2007. I was enroute to Chicago's Mount Greenwood neighborhood at south Kedzie Avenue and west 111th Street, when the crossing signals began flashing and the gates lowered on south Cicero Avenue near Southwest Highway. I stepped out of My car, and photographed this Metra commuter rail train, slowing down for the station stop in suburban Oak Lawn Illinois on the Norfolk Southern Railroad line. This was a lovely evening in the early spring of 2007, with mild temperatures in the upper 60's.

Northbound Canadian Pacific intermodal transfer train. Hawthorne Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. March 2007.

A northbound CP Rail transfer train, is crossing over the former Illinois Central crosstracks at Hawthorne Junction. The steel signal shed, is where the old wooden interlocking tower stood prior to 1990. The grassy hill in the background, is the abandoned Bel Air drive in theatre. At this interchange junction, the Belt Railway of Chicago crosses the Canadian National -ex Illinois Central Iowa Division Mainline.

Eastbound Metra arriving in Brookfield Illinois USA. December 2006.

I took this lovely early winter morning photo, in west suburban Brookfield Illinois. An eastbound Metra train enroute to Chicago Union Station, is seen slowing down as it approaches the Brookfield commuter rail station at Prairie Avenue. This line is the BNSF Railway.

Rare photograph of RTA Bi leval commuter train at the South Shore / Randolph Street station. Chicago Illinois USA. April 1984.

This is the site known today as "Milenium Park". In the year of 1984, this was the old Randolph Street station in downtown Chicago near the lakefront. This below ground -open air terminal served trains from the Chicago, Southshore and South Bend Railroad, and the Illinois Central electric commuter train lines. This scene was photographed in April of 1984, and apparently the old Southshore line is experiencing a shortage of equipment. The old 1920's vintage orange heavyweight electric M.U coaches were finally retired the year before, and the new 1980's vintage cars from Japan, were still arriving. The Southshore was short of equipment, and was borrowing diesel powered bi leval commuter trains from the newly formed Metra commuter rail agency. Seen to the right is a bi leval Metra train in RTA markings, sharing platform space with the new cars from Japan on the left.

Switching activity at the Burlington Northern Clyde Yard. Cicero Illinois USA. June 1985.

I took this photo, on a lovely Saturday morning in June of 1985. A Burlington Northern EMD SW 1500 diesel switcher, is seen shuffling boxcars at Clyde Yard in Cicero Illinois. This photo was taken from the Cicero Avenue commuter rail station looking southwest. The bridge ramp behind the locomotive is Ogden Avenue -U.S Route # 34 aka old Route # 66.

Friday, March 23, 2007

The abandoned Bel Aire drive in movie theatre. Demolished in March of 2007. Cicero Illinois USA.

Another chapter from the Baby Boomer era in Chicagoland has officially come to an end. This was the site of the Bel Aire Drive In movie theatre, wich was located at south Cicero Avenue and west 31st Street in the village of Cicero Illinois USA. This twin screen drive in theatre from the 1950's, has been sitting forelorn since at least the mid 1980's. The entrance gate was torn down years ago, but now the two sided drive thru movie screen has been demolished. This site is to be redeveloped for other use in the near future. I went here with My family in the early 1970's a few times. I can remember seeing Barbra Streisand in "Whats up doc" and Steve Mc Queen in the movie "Bullet", here at the old Bel Aire Drive In. Another era has ended in Chicagoland.

Evening switching activity at Clearing Yard. (Chicago side) The Belt Railway of Chicago. March 2007.

I took this photo yesterday after work from the south Cicero Avenue bridge. U.S Route # 50.
A Belt Railway of Chicago EMD roadswitcher is seen moving a cut of cars east of the Cicero Avenue bridge near sunset. After driving around all day making sales calls, I rewarded Myself to some railfanning after work.

Southbound BNSF Railway transfer train. Hawthorne Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. March 2007.

I took this photo looking north on the Belt Railway of Chicago trackage. A southbound BNSF Railway transfer, is crossing over the Canadian National -ex Illinois Central crosstracks at Hawthorne Junction. Hawthorne Junction is on the Chicago City Limits east of the border with suburban Cicero Illinois. Notice the lead unit still in the former A,T,& S, F warbonnet color scheme but with BNSF lettering on the side. The Burlington Northern RR and the Santa Fe merged in 1995, so this locomotive has been wearing this color scheme for quiete some time.

northbound CTA Yellow line train crossing Main Street. Skokie Illinois USA. March 2007.

A standard 2 car Chicago Transit Authority Yellow line train, is seen racing northbound at the Main Street crossing signal in north suburban Skokie Illinois USA. With high pitched electronic whistle tweeting, the train speeds past on a lovely afternoon in March of 2007.
In past years...this line was known as the Skokie Swift. Prior to the January 21st 1963 abandonement due to bankruptcy...This line was originally part of the Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee Railroad mainline from Chicago to Milwaukee Wisconsin.

Westbound Metra commuter train to Elburn Illinois. Photographed in Chicago in March of 2007.

A speeding Metra -Union Pacific Railroad west line commuter train, is seen racing along west Kinzie Street in Chicago Illinois. Another work day is over, and the commuters are traveling to their various destinations between Chicago and Elburn Illinois for the night. Tommorow is another day.

Thursday, March 22, 2007

Clamshell bucket detail. The Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois USA. August 2006.

I took this photo last August at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union Illinois USA. This is a Clamshell Bucket that is utilized for coal loading operations in the steam locomotive tenders at the museum.
Most people see clamshell buckets in such daily operations as building demolitions, or in dredging canals, but never really get to see these things up close. This is a very heavilly built model of riveted construction. You can see the many pullys and hinges necesary to operate the bucket.

Many railroads use clamshell buckets for various maintenance department functions in maintaining the railroad right of way.

Westbound Metra express commuter train passing Hollywood Station. Brookfield Illinois USA. Early October 2006.

I took this photo after work,from the south platform of the Hollywood commuter rail depot. The Suburban village of Brookfield Illinois USA has 2 Metra commuter rail stations. This depot is on the east side of town near 1st Avenue -U.S Rt 171, and is known as the Zoo stop. Chicago's Brookfield Zoo is approximately 5 blocks north of here, and some local Chicagoans prefere to take the Metra here, rather than pay to park and also cover the cost of admission too. This weekday express commuter train to Aurora Illinois, is being pulled by an EMD F-59PH passenger loco.

Old black and white photo. Duluth & Northeastern # 16.

Back in the late 1980's, I had bought a set of old black and white steam locomotive photographs at a flea market.
This particulair locomotive, is a 2-8-0 Consolidation type locomotive from the Duluth & Northeastern Railroad, wich operated in the State of Minesota. The D&N,E was one of those little shortline railroads, that actually ran steam locomotives in daily service until 1965. Fortunately,locomotive # 16 has been preserved and is on display in Cloquet Minesota.

Visiting BNSF diesel locomotive. The Union Pacific RR M-19 Diesel shop. Chicago Illinois USA. September 2006.

Seen here idling in a light rain, is a BNSF Railway locomotive at the Union Pacific M-19 Diesel Shop.
I took this photograph along west Kinzie Street near north Kilbourn Avenue on Chicago's west side. This is on the Union Pacific ex Chicago & NorthWestern west line.

Track maintenance machine on Belt Railway of Chicago trackage. Chicago Illinois USA. September 2006.

I spotted this unusual train of track maintenance equipment one day in early September of 2006.
This machine and suppoirt train was spotted on the Belt Railway of Chicago just north of lake Street. I am not certain of what this is, but if anybody out there could give us a little insight...
it would be greatly apprerciated.
The Belt Railway of Chicago experiences many heavy freight trains daily over it's north -south line. It is important that equipment like this is on hand, to keep the roadbed, ballast and track in top shape. The M.O.W department plays an important part in a railroads support operations.

Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Pizza anybody? Carmen's Pizza. 6568 north Sheridan Road. Chicago Illinois USA.

Hi everybody!
Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page.
Are You in the mood for some really good Chicago Style Pizza? I certainly am!
I took this photograph at one of My customers places that I service as a soft drink sales representative.
This is Carmen's Pizza, wich is located near Loyola University, at 6568 north Sheridan Road. The restaurants manager is a good friend of mine named Alberto. This is a very nice "Sit Down" restaurant, that as you can see, does a large volume of take out business too for the local college students and area residents as well. The food is really good here. If You are in the area, please call 1-773 465 1700, or stop in. Please tell the manager Alberto that "Eddie" sent You here. Mmmmm! Lets eat! Mangia mangia!

The original 1947 Chicago Transit Authority logo. The Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois USA. August 2006.

The red circle shown here, is the original logo that the Chicago Transit Authority used, when the agency was formed in November of 1947. This logo is seen on CTA PCC electric streetcar number # 4391. This car was built by the St.Louis Car Company in 1948, and operated on Chicago's city streets for only 10 years. This is the only modern CTA streetcar to be preserved from any of the later orders.
After streetcar service ended on June 21st 1958, practically the entire fleet was cut up for scrap, and the electrical components recycled to make new 6000 series rapid transit cars.
Some of the CTA buses recieved this color image.

Westbound Burlington Northern Railroad commuter train approaching the La Grange Road station. La Grange Illinois USA. June 1985.

A westbound Burlington Northern commuter train, is seen arriving in downtown La Grange Illinois on a hot summer afternoon in June of 1985. I have been coming to La Grange periodally since the mid 1980's, and this is one of My early photos taken there. I still love to visit and shop in La Grange Illinois today. I use to hop the commuter trains, like the one shown here. Sometimes I would take the pre Pace RTA buses.

Kenosha Wisconsin's red electric streetcar. April 2001.

I spent a sunny but very cool and windy Saturday afternoon, in Kenosha Wisconsin USA back in April of 2001. Seen here is their "Red" streetcar, wich honors the colors of Pennsylvania's Pittsburgh Railways. Kenosha Transit has 5 refurbished 1951 vintage PCC type streetcars on it's roster, wich originally worked in Canada for the Toronto Transit Commision. The five cars all have a different color scheme, including one in a Chicago Transit Authority green and cream with an orange belt rail.

Eastbound Union Pacific Railroad unit coal train. Chicago Illinois USA. December 2006.

I took this photo in the city of Chicago Illinois, during early December of 2006. This is the Union Pacific's former Chicago & NorthWestern RR west line. The scene was photographed along west Kinzie Street near north Pulaski Road. An eastbound Union Pacific Railroad unit coal train, is seen arriving in Chicago on a dismal morning.
The large building to the right, is the abandoned Brach's Candy factory.

Eastbound BNSF unit coal train. Brookfield Illinois USA. December 2006.

I took this photo one morning, in December of 2006. I was in west suburban Brookfield Illinois. An eastbound unit coal train is approaching the Brookfield Metra station on Prairie Avenue. In the background to the right, can be seen the Brookfield water tank with artwork depicting Dolphins in honor of The Brookfield Zoo.

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

The original Ford City sign on south Pulaski Road. Chicago Illinois USA. October 1982.


Hello everyone!
Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page.
I took this photo at south Pulaski Road and west 76th Street, in October of 1982. I was attending a photography class at nearby Daley College. This is one of My "First" night photos I had taken, and I am so glad that I did. Seen here, is the original 1960's vintage Ford City shopping center sign. I had spent a lot of time visiting and shopping at Ford City with My family during the 1970's and 80's. For a while there...it was My 2nd home. I made many trips there during the 1980's, to either see a movie, go shopping, or just to hang out in the mall. My favorite place in the whole shopping center , was the section called "Peacock Alley" that was a passage below the parking lot. A now deceased Aunt of mine used to work at Wiebolts.
In the early 1970's...polka music great Frankie Yanchovich did a concert near the water fountain by Wiebolts.
The mall was remodelled in the spring of 1988, and this lovely sign was one of the first things to go. It was a nice memory.

Switching the south hump at the Santa Fe Corwith Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. April 1984.

A rebuilt 1950 vintage EMD GP-9 and a slug motor unit, are seen at work one afternoon in April of 1984, at the Santa Fe Corwith Yard.
The curved track seen here, is located just east of south Lawndale Avenue near west 49th Street. The Atchinson,Topeka & Santa Fe used older equipment like this locomotive to service the Illinois Northern branchline just north of Corwith Yard, and to switch trains on the humps at Corwith Yard. I loved to go railfanning here in the 1980's.

Westbound Metra commuter train arriving at the River Grove station. River Grove Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo, in early January of 2007. An afternoon westbound Metra commuter local, is approaching and stopping at the River Grove Illinois commuter rail station on Thatcher Avenue. The tooting of the Metra trains horn in the distance added sound to the mid day quiet.

Westbound Union Pacific Railroad intermodal transfer train. Hodgkins Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo in Hodgkins Illinois, on an overcast January morning in 2007. A westbound Union Pacific intermodal container train, has just left the Indiana Harbor Belt interchange junction, just east of here at Mc. Cook Illinois. The train is now proceeding west over the BNSF Railway to the large intermodal yard in Hodgkins Illinois.

Indiana Harbor Belt branchline crossing signal. Summit Illinois USA. August 2006.

This branchline crossing signal, stands in the middle of south Harlem Avenue, just south of west 59th Street in the village of Summit Illinois. This industrial branchline crossing normally isn't occupied by train activity when I am in the area.
However...I have seen it for Myself in the past.
When the IHB switching local comes through here, and the crossing gates go down...All traffic on south Harlem Avenue comes to a complete stop, and most of the time is backed up.
I have seen many morning traffic jams in the past here, caused by the switching local. I have even seen the crossing gates get replaced a few times, as sometimes speeding semi trucks broke the lowering crossing gates.

Eastbound CTA Green line train at the Oak Park Avenue station. Oak Park Illinois USA. August 2006.

I took this picture last summer, in downtown Oak Park Illinois USA. On this hot summer morning, an eastbound Chicago Transit Authority green line train is preparing to embark on another journey. This train will travel east to downtown Chicago, making many stops in Chicago's westside neighborhoods along west Lake Street enroute. Once downtown, the train will proceed south to the Englewood neighborhood on west 63rd Street, and terminate at south Damen Avenue and west 63rd Street.

Monday, March 19, 2007

A lovely afternoon on the Lake Michigan shoreline. Chicago Illinois USA. November 2006.

Hello everyone!
Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page.
I took this photo at work one day, back in early November of 2006. I was working in the area of Sheridan Road, in the Loyola University area. Here is one of the many little nearby beaches along Chicago's lakefront. The weather this day, was very warm and sunny. This was just too good of a photo opportunity to pass up. Although the summer season was over and winter would soon be on the way, the sound of the gentle waves , light breezes , and seagulls in flight, would add a touch of magic to the atmosphere.
The beach was empty, but for the time being it was mine.

The Kiddieland Limited at night. Kiddieland Amusement Park. Melrose Park Illinois USA. September 2006.

I took this photo from the east parking lot along 1st Avenue, near the end of the 2006 season.
Although the gasoline powered replica train is a miniature ride, it sort of captures the look and feel of 1950's era streamliner passenger train travel. The train is in a color scheme reminiscent of the Southern Pacific Railroad's "Daylight" passenger trains of decades ago in California.

Chicago bound Metra morning commuter train. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this lovely sunrise photo, in the village of Elmwood Park Illinois on My way to work one morning. The commuter passengers are proboubly just barely awake, as an inbound train to Chicago Union Station heads into the sunrise. A hot cup of coffee and a pastry on this cold morning, will proboubly help to start their day.

Old black and white photograph. Tuskegee Railroad locomotive # 101 in service. Cicrca 1940's.

Once in ahile, we can find treasures in our various collections of railroad photos, or any number of things we purchase at flea markets.

This old black and white postcard photograph, was taken somewhere in the State of Alabama. The locomotive shown here, is Tuskegee Railroad 2-6-2 type locomotive # 101. This particulair locomotive is preserved today, at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union Illinois USA. This locomotive was in service at the museum, until the 1986 season. It was stripped down for an overhaul after that, and is still undergoing a slow mechanical overhaul and restoration process. I will be posting some photos of this engine, in service at the Illinois Railway Museum soon here at My blog site.

Is it all aboard time yet? The Hesston Steam Museum. Hesston Indiana USA. September 1993.

A locomotive engineer on the 14" guage demonstration train line, is seen between runs at the Hesston Junction depot. This is a nice behind the scenes photograph showing the locomotive backhead, with the various valves, guages, and gadgets that only the engineer knows how to operate. The Hesston Steam Museum is a pleasant place to visit with family, in the area south of New Buffalo Michigan.