Your Host and Photographer at work. Des Plaines Illinois USA. December 2008.

Hi everyone!
Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page.
This is the official last posting for 2008, and I just want to wish
everyone, a great big "HAPPY NEW YEAR"!!!!!
It has been a pleasure hearing from everyone in 2008, and May the fun
continue well beyond 2009. Peace everyone.

Thank You.
Eddie K.

Canadian National freight train on the West Chicago Avenue viaduct. River Forest Illinois USA. December 2006.

I took this photo after work one evening, in December of 2006. A Canadian
National freight train is seen waiting on a hold order, at the West Chicago
Avenue viaduct in west suburban River Forest Illinois.

Union Pacific crews exchanging greetings on a spur siding. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

Even though it was a very bitter 5 degrees above zero farenheight on this sunny winter morning in January of 2007, the mood was warm and cheerful between these
two Union Pacific railroad crews. A naintenance of way crew, chats with the crew
of a Union Pacific switching local inside Chicago's Northwest Industrial Park.
The switching local crew has just dropped off a small cut of freight cars on
this spur siding on North Kilbourn Avenue.

Christmastime in Berwyn Illinois. December 1988.

Nothing like a little end of the year Holiday Magic in Chicago's
western suuburbs. I took this 35 MM Time exposure photo in Berwyn
Illinois, back in December of 1988. I do not recall exactly what
street this house was located on, but the colorful lighting sets
a very festive mood.

Snow plowing in Niles Illinois. Thursday, December 18th, 2008.

I took this photo looking south at the intersection of Waukeegan Road and Oakton Street, in north suburban Niles Illinois. Heavy lake effect snow storms fell on the Greater Chicagoland Area on Thursday, December 18th, 2008, and the municipal city crews from the Niles Public Services, were out there giving it more than just their best shot. The Niles Public Services work crews, fought the battle against natures worst, and kept the city streets well salted and cleared for safe travel.

Thank You Niles Public Services for a job well done.

Eddie K.

One of My H.O Scale model train layouts I built during the 1980's. Chicago Illinois USA. 1987.

I became involved in H.O Scale model railroading in 1986. By 1987, I was already on My 3rd model train layout. This was My 4' x 6' H.O Scale Alsip Railroad.

Old 1970's era former Soo Line caboose. Franklin Park Illinois USA. December 2008.

Sometimes pleasant surprises like this old 1970's era wide vision caboose that is
still rolling around in 1970's era Soo Line colors and markings can appear on location. I took this photograph on a December 2008 Sunday, railfan photo shoot
in northwest suburban Franklin Park Illinois. Could it be 1977 again?

This caboose was coupled on to the rear of a Canadian Pacific freight train departing Bensenville Yard.

Eastbound former Grand Trunk western locomotive and a short train. Hawthorne Junction. Chicago / Cicero Illinois USA. Febuary 2007.

Hi everyone!
welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page.
Well folks.....The sun is setting now on another great year of railfan photography.
2008 had some nice photos in My archives, and 2009 hopes to have even more very soon.

I took this unique winter sunset photo, in Febuary of 2007 during that infamous Chicago Deep Freeze. It was 8 degrees above zero with sharp winds blowing out of the west, when I took this photo at the Chicago city limits. Another winter day is coming to an end, as an eastbound Canadian National 2 car switching local led by a former Grand Trunk Western EMD roadswitcher, crosses over the Belt Railway of Chicago crosstracks at Hawthorne Junction. The train is heading for the nearby CN ex Illinois Central, Crawford Yard with two tank cars in tow.

My buddy Anthony C. At the Belt Railway of Chicago's West 68th Street wye. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2008.

One of the nicest things about hosting a railfan photo blogsite, is the opportunity to meet the people who enjoy your photo journalism on the internet.

One of My happiest memorys of 2008, was My August 2008 visit with My fellow Chicago Railfan buddy Anthony C. I was invited to his pad in Belt Railway of Chicago country at the Chicago city limits near Bedford Park Illinois one evening in August of 2008.
We both swapped stories, played guitar, and had a really fun social get together.
Here is Anthony posing against a really spectacular summertime sunset, at the Belt Railway of Chicago, West 68th Street Wye in Clearing Yard.

Thanks Anthony.
Eddie K.

Central Illinois Railroad revives the pre 1970 C,B & Q Railroad "Blackbird" color sceme. Chicago Illinois USA. Friday, October 31st, 2008.

One of the more unique railfan events I attended in Chicago during 2008, was this one day special "Open House" that was presented by the local Chicago industrial shortline Railroad known as the Central Illinois Railroad. I was treated to a sight that is normally only seen today in old photographs, pre 1970 home railfan movies, railroad museums, or in miniature model train layouts.

I was born in 1962, and have some vaque Childhood memories of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad EMD SW series yard switchers working at Clyde Yard in Cicero Illinois in this color scheme. Both before and after the March 2nd 1970 merger that created the Burlington Northern Railroad. It was great seeing it again.

An old Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad logo on a bridge. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

Ah yes. Remants from railroads past!

I took this photo in January of 2007, looking south from the West Addison Street overpass bridge at the Illinois U.S Route I-90 Kennedy Expressway overpass bridge. Immediately adjacent, just south of the West Addison Street bridge, is this large and heavy railroad bridge on the Metra / Union Pacific Railroad, Northwest line to Harvard Illinois. This old and faded metal corporate logo, tells of this railroad lines pre 1998 Heritage, as that being the former Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad.

Southbound Skokie Fire Department ariel ladder truck # 16 crossing the CTA yellow line tracks. Skokie Illinois USA. August 2008.

One of the more unique candid photos I had taken on location in 2008, was this one at the Chicago Transit Authority, Kostner Avenue railroad crossing on the CTA Yellow Line / Skokie Swift rapid transit line in north suburban Skokie Illinois. I was enjoying My lunch break on a hot August afternoon in Skokie Illinois, and spent it lineside to do some CTA rapid transit railfanning on the Skokie Swift line. I couldn't resist taking the opportunity to photograph Skokie Fire Department ariel ladder truck # 16 heading southbound on Kostner Avenue. I have loved transportation subjects, including Fire equipment, since I was a kid growing up in Chicago. The dedicated Men and Woman of the Skokie Fire Department, have taken great pride in performing the maintenance and upkeep of this modern piece of eqiopment used in the daily war on fire prevention in Skokie Illinois. This huge fire engine truck, is kept in top mechanical condition, to be able to arrive first on the scene of any fire or disaster at any given time 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Fire fighting and emergency response is a physically demanding and top priority.
A special thank You going out to the hardworking and dedicated people at the
Skokie Fire Department from Eddie's Railfan Page.

Thank You.
Eddie K

Eastbound Canadian National transfer train. Forest Park Illinois USA. August 2006.

One of My all time favorite railfan photos I had taken in recent years, was this one in August of 2006. I had just recently purchased My very 1st digital camera, and used it to capture this image of modern railroading. We are looking west through the chain link fencing on top of the Circle Avenue overpass bridge, in west suburban Forest Park Illinois. The distinct approaching sound of a heavy freight train told Me that I was in the right place at the right time that day. An eastbound heavy Canadian National transfer train, is seen passing over the Illinois U.S Route I-290 Expressway and the Chicago Transit Authority's Blue line rapid transit line tracks.

Former Wisconsin Central commemorative locomotive. Franklin Park Illinois USA. December 2008.

Part of the fun of railfanning on location, are finding those occasional "Rare" locomotives and color scemes that show up on occasion when You least expect them to.
I spotted this one of a kind locomotive from the former Wisconsin Central Railroad, on an eastbound Canadian National freight train waiting to depart nearby Bensenville Yard. The special commemorative paint scheme, honors the State of Wisconsin's 150th Birthday.

Westbound Burlington Northern double stack container train. La Grange Illinois USA. January 1987.

I took this photo in west suburban La Grange Illinois, during a January 1987 lineside railfan photo outing along the 3 track Chicago to Aurora Illinois Burlington Northern mainline. I took this photo just west of Brainard Avenue, in the Lyons Township High School parking lot. A speeding westbound intermodal double stack container train, is seen passing through La Grange Illinois on a cold and overcast winter Saturday afternoon. The train is being headed up by the Burlington Northern's uniquely painted EMD model GP-50 roadswitchers in the short lived "Tiger Striped" orange and black nose color scheme. Local Chicago railfans refered to these as "Tiger Stripe Geep 50's". ( Pronounced "Jeep".) These were the only such diesels that the Burlington Northern painted in this experiimental color scheme, and they were easy to spot anywhere.

A special thank You from Your Host and Photographer.

Hi everyone!
This is Eddie K, Your host and photographer here at Eddie's Railfan Page.
It has been an absolute pleasure, just to see and read the many nice E-Mail
comments I have recieved in 2008 at My Chicago based transportation blog site.
I had the distinct honor and pleasure in 2008, of getting to meet fellow readers
Leomemorial , Franklin Campbell, and Stan....as well as many New people who
have written to tell Me how much they enjoyed the photos and stories here too.
It is always a great honor hearing from all of You, and I just felt it was very
important to say those two magic words...."Thank You".

Happy Holidays to all from
Eddie's Railfan Page.

Eddie K.

Old Phillip's 66 gasoline station. ( Gone.) La Grange Illinois USA. January 1987.

I took this roadside snapshot during a January 1987 railfan photo visit to west suburban La Grange Illinois. This is an example of dissapearing North American roadside Americanna from decades past. I had no particular reason to snap this photo, but I did just for the heck of it that day. Boy! 21 years later....I am so glad that I did!
This quaint pre 1970 roadside gasoline station stood on the southwest corner of Ogden Avenue / Illinois U.S Route # 34 and La Grange Road. Today, this is the site of A Caribou Coffee take out expresso store.

Eastbound Canadian Pacific freight train. Franklin Park Illinois USA. December 2006.

I took this photo one December morning in 2006. An eastbound Canadian Pacific freight train has just left the large nearby Bensenville Yard, and is seen approaching the 25th Avenue railroad crossing in northwest suburban Franklin Park Illinois.

Union Pacific signal maintenance crew at work. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo one afternoon after work, in January of 2007. A Union Pacific M.O.W / Maintenance of way crew, is seen testing and maintaining the North Kilbourn Avenue mainline railroad crossing, in Chicago's Northwest Industrial Park.

Northbound double stack container train. La Grange Park Illinois USA. January 1987.

During the mid to late 1980's, I made numerous railfan trips to west suburban La Grange Illinois with a 35 MM camera in hand. I took this photo just east of downtown La Grange Illinois, in west suburban La Grange Park. A double stack container train is seen traveling northbound over the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad through La Grange Park Illinois on a cold and overcast winter afternoon, in January of 1987.

Christmas in Chicago's Brighton Park neighborhood. Chicago Illinois. December 1988.

I took this photo in December of 1988. I wasn't sure where the photo location was when I posted this recently, but I believe it to be around West 44th Street and South St Louis Avenue on Chicago's southwest side. Brighton Park was always a very special neighborhood for Me in the city of Chicago, and I had spent a considerable amount of time visiting several Friends who lived here back in 1988.

Clear the track men! Eastbound Metra express train passing through the Grand / Cicero station. Chicago Illinois USA. December 2006.

I took this unique behind the scenes photograph, one morning in December of 2006. We are looking west from the south or "Eastbound" platform of the Metra Grand / Cicero commuter rail station while it was still under construction. A fast moving eastbound Metra express commuter train enroute to Chicago Union Station, was approaching the construction site of the Metra, Grand / Cicero commuter rail station immediately west of Cragin Junction. A construction crew supervisor with a hand held aerosol spray can fittted with an air horn on top, let out a loud and lenghty "TOOOOOOOOT", to warn the construction crew to clear the tracks immediately. Although the station was still largely under construction, it was already being utilized as a scheduled station stop for local commuter trains. The nice thing was, the crew didn't mind that I was up there taking photos, and seemed quiete flattered that I asked a question or two about the new station.

Thank You
Metra construction crew.

Eddie K.

Wintertime at the Fox River Trolley Museum. South Elgin Illinois USA. December 2007.

I was passing through the town of South Elgin Illinois one afternoon in December of 2007, and just couldn't resist the opportunity to take this off season photograph at the Fox River Trolley Museum. Vintage Chicago Transit Authority equipment from several decades ago, is seen here in a wintertime Holiday, Christmas card like setting.

Eastbound CSX Transportation Co, West 16th Street industrial switching local. Cicero Illinois USA. January 2007.

I was definately in the right place and right time when I snapped this photo after work one evening in January of 2007. I was traveling westbound on West 16th Street just past the Chicago city limits, in west suburban Cicero Illinois. I was delighted to spot the headlights of the slowly approaching eastbound CSX local, enroute to the Belt Railway of Chicago interchange after finishing it's switching chores at the factory spur sidings in Cicero Illinois. I pulled over to the side, and caught this image of a working freight train returning to the interchange at the end of the session around sunset.

The Metra, River Forest commuter rail station. River Forest Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo on a bitterly cold and quiete windy January morning in 2007.
This is the elevated River Forest, Metra comuter rail station located in the suburban village of River Forest Illinois just east of Maywood. This old attractive steam era train station with a touch of European Challet styling, was originally serving passenger trains on the predecessor railroad Chicago & NorthWestern. Today, it serves Metra commuter locals on the Metra / Union Pacific, West line to Elburn Illinois.This is a very busy Chicagoland railroad mainline that sees numerous Union Pacific freight trains, as well as several Metra express and local commuter trains daily.

Eastbound Canadian National transfer train. North Riverside Illinois USA. December 2007.

I took this photo one snowy December morning, in the west suburban village of North Riverside Illinois back in the year of 2007. An eastbound Canadian National Railroad transfer freight train, is seen slowly heading toward Hawthorne Yard just east of here in nearby Cicero Illinois. The train is traveling along the north side of Commons Park in North Riverside Illinois.

It's Christmastime in west suburban La Grange Illinois. December 2008.

Former Soo Line equipment behind a chain link fence. Schiller Park Illinois USA. December 2007.

I took this photo one bright and sunny winter morning, in December of 2007. A caboose and locomotive from the Canadian Pacific Railroad, still wearing pre 1990 predecessor railroad Soo Line markings, are basking in the cold winter sunshine.

Eastbound Canadian National transfer train. North Riverside Illinois USA. December 2007.

I took this photo one snowy winter morning, in December of 2007. An eastbound Canadian National transfer freight train, is seen passing alongside Commons Park in west suburban North Riverside Illinois. The train is travelling over the former Illinois Central Railroad, Iowa Division Mainline in a Holiday Christmas Card setting.

Speeding westbound Metra express commuter train. Chicago Illinois USA. December 1st, 2006.

I took this photo at the Raven Street railroad crossing on the Metra / Union Pacific Railroad, Northwest line to Harvard Illinois near the Norwood Park commuter rail station on Chicago's far northwest side. It is Friday evening, December 1st, 2006...and the city of Chicago Illinois was digging out from an all morning snowstorm. A westbound express train enroute to Harvard Illinois, is seen speeding past the Raven Street railroad crossing in Chicago's Norwood Park neighborhood at the city limits near Park Ridge Illinois.

Manufacturer's Junction EMD model SW-1 switcher and a short cut of cars. Hawthorne Juncttion. Chicago / Cicero Illinois USA. January 2007.

I braved bitter freezing cold and sharp winds one morning in January of 2007, and was rewarded with this rare photo of the obscure Manuafacturer's Junction Railroad local departing the nearby CN Hawthorne Yard in Cicero Illinois, with a small cut of cars in tow. The train is seen entering the northbound interchange curve at Hawthorne Junction, located at the Chicago city limits.

One of My H.O Scale model train layouts I had built during the 1980's. Chicago Illinois. 1987.

I can recall spending countless hours enjoying the hobby of miniature H.O Scale model railroading during the mid to late 1980's when I lived on the southside of Chicago Illinois. I custom painted this Athearn EMD GP-9 roadswitcher, in to the classic 1950's era Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad's "Blackbird" color scheme. Here the C,B & Q local is seen at work on My ficticious Alsip Railroad in 1987.

The north or "Eastbound" platform at the Metra, River Forest commuter rail station. River Forest Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo one bitterly cold but very sunny winter morning, in January of 2007. We are looking north at the Metra, River Forest commuter rail station. This metal sign adorns the north or "Eastbound" platform. This is a former Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad passenger station.

Seasonal Holiday lamp post decorations. Park Ridge Illinois USA. December 2006.

Seasons Greetings everyone!
welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page.
It is Christmastime once again in the Greater Chicagoland area.
I took this photo in December of 2006, in the northwest suburban
village of Park Ridge Illinois. Seen here is one of the many festive
seasonal Christmas Holiday decorations adorning the lamp posts along
West Devon Avenue.

Eastbound Indiana Harbor Belt transfer train crossing the 127th Street viaduct. Alsip Illinois USA. Late October 1990.

This is one of My personal all time favorite railfan photos I took many years ago. A southbound Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad transfer train, is seen crossing over the West 127th Street underpass viaduct near Blue Island Illinois in late October of 1990. The IHB was still using 1st Generation EMD NW-2 yard switchers on it's road trains at this time.

Eastbound Canadian Pacific freight train departing Franklin Park with a former Soo Line locomotive up front. Franklin Park Illinois USA. December 2008

Part of the fun of railfanning on location, is still being able to find those historic color schemes and markings, from railroads that have since disappeared through mergers. The Soo Line was absorbed by the Canadian Pacific through merger in 1990. Still, there are some pre 1980's era Soo Line equipment and color schemes still rolling around in 2008.

Eastbound Iowa, Chicago & Eastern freight train. Chicago Illinois USA. December 2006.

I took this photo one day in December of 2006. An eastbound Iowa, Chicago & Eastern freight train, is seen pasing through the Metra, Mars commuter flagstop depot at North Oak Park Avenue.

Union Pacific EMD model GP-15 light roadswitcher climbing up the Belt Railway of Chicago interchange. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo one bitterly cold 5 degrees above zero Farenheight winter morning, in January of 2007. The crew of a Union Pacific Railroad industrial switching local, has just dropped off a small cut of freight cars on an industrial spur siding in Chicago's Northwest Industrial Park. The locomotive is now climbing slightly upgrade to the Belt Railway of Chicago embankment running light. This is a late 1970's vintage EMD model GP-15 light roadswitcher.

Burlington Northern industrial switching local at work. Chicago Illinois USA. November 1983.

I took this photo one overcast November morning in the year of 1983. Seen here
in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhod on South Paulina Avenue, is the morning Burlington Northern Railroad industrial switching local and crew at work. This industrial branchline railroad was originally owned by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and after 1970, the Burlington Northern. In later years, this line was sold. Today it is owned and operated by the Central Illinois Railroad.

Lightly grafitti tagged former Soo Line caboose. Franklin Park Illinois USA. December 2008.

I took this photo one Sunday afternoon in December of 2008. A former Soo Line railroad 1970's era wide vision caboose, is seen bringing up the rear of an eastbound Canadian Pacific freight train passing through Franklin Park Illinois.

Pace bus rounding the Conti Parkway Circle. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. Early November 2008.

Hi everybody!
Welcome aboard the "Bus Day" edition of Eddie's Railfan Page. I
took this photo on November 1st, 2008. Seen here in near northwest
suburban Elmwood Park Illinois, is a blue suburban Pace bus traveling
through the Conti Parkway Circle near the Elmwood Park Municipal Building.

Wisconsin Coach Lines motorcoach in the parking lot of the Kentucky Horse Farm. Lexington Kentucky USA. May 1990.

I took this photo in May of 1990, at an attraction known as the Kentucky Horse Farm, located in Lexington Kentucky. I was taking a much deserved motorcoach bus tour vacation with My family in the Spring of 1990, and this photo was taken on the first day of our journey to the Smokey Mountains in the States of Tennesee and North Carolina. Although the first leg of our trip was under rainy weather conditions, our Wisconsin Coach Lines bus kept us warm, dry and very comfortable.

Recently retired 2001 Chevrolet, Paratransit bus # 5001. Glenview Illinois USA. November 2008.

The end of the line was near for 2001 Chevrolet Paratransit bus # 5001 in November of 2008. This was the bus I was assigned to regularily on a daily basis at First Transit in Glenview Illinois. Age and various mechanical issues were making their Prescence known, and would soon find the bus removed from the roster upon retirement. I took this photo approximately two weeks before it was traded in for new Ford buses. By the time of this photo, the electric driver's seat adjustments weren't working. Thank goodness I have long legs.

Eastbound CTA Flxible Metro bus at the intersection on North Milwaukee Avenue and West Armitage Street. Chicago Illinois USA. March 2007.

I took this photo in March of 2007, in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood. An eastbound CTA bus on West Armitage Street, is seen crossing the intersection at North Milwaukee and Western Avenues on a sunny day in the early Spring of 2007.

Mid 1960's era CTA Flxible bus at the West 63rd Place and South Kedzie Avenue terminal loop. Chicago Illinois USA. July 1985.

This is one of My all time personal favorite bus photos I had taken during the mid 1980's! I took this photo on a hot July afternoon, in 1985 on Chicago's southwest side. A classic 1960's era Chicago Transit Authority Flxible fishbowl windshield bus, is seen waiting to make it's northbound departure from the south terminal loop at West 63rd Place and South Kedzie Avenue. The 1960's era Flxible transit buses were rolling out their last miles in daily service, and would all be retired in 1986. Some went on to become maintenance work service buses for the CTA.

New arrivals in My company's garage. Glenview Ilinois USA. September 2008.

Big changes were on the drawing board for quiete some time at First Transit in north suburban Glenview Illinois. All spring and sumer of 2008, there were rumors that our company was supposed to be obtaining new buses on our fleet. I took this photo in early September of 2008 at the Glenview garage. Seen here, are two brand new 2008 Ford, Paratransit buses after arrival. They weren't even in service yet when I took this photo. Nice.

Westbound suburban Pace bus on Electric Avenue. Berkeley Illinois USA. December 2006.

I took this photo one afternoon in December of 2006. A suburban Pace bus has just made a right turn at the corner of Taft and Electric Avenues in west suburban Berkeley Illinois, and is now proceeding westbound on Electric Avenue in bright sunshine and unseasonably warm temperatures in December of 2006.

A spectacular winter sunset on the BNSF Railway 3 track Chicago to Aurora mainline. Berwyn Illinois USA. January 2007.

One of the nicest things about going on location to shoot railfan photographs, are those occasional photographic surprises one can encounter. I was delighted to be in the right place at the right time, to capture this fine work of art provided by God on this lovely winter evening. Although it was between train times looking west near the Berwyn commuter rail station, the radient late day colors were a real pleasure to behold and definately worth taking a snap shot of. It was absolutely beautiful.
A nice ending to this winter day.

Northbound Amtrak Hiawatha train. Glenview Illinois USA. Late January 2008.

I took this photo at the Glenview Illinois, Metra / Amtrak train station in late January of 2008. A northbound Amtrak regional Hiawatha service train enroute to Milwaukee Wisconsin, prepares for departure.

Westbound Union Pacific intermodal train leaving Chicago. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photograph one overcast winter morning, in January of 2007. A speeding westbound Union Pacific Railroad intermodal train, is seen passing underneath the Belt Railway of Chicago "Flyover" junction at West Kinzie Street and North Kenton Avenue on Chicago's westside.