Sunrise in Chicago Illinois. June 2008.

I took this unique photo on My way to work one morning, in June of 2008.
It was approximately 5 AM. We are looking northeast on Forest Preserve Drive, near the intersection of Irving Park Road, just west of the Harlem Irving Plaza shopping center at the Chicago city limits near Norridge, and Harwood Heights Ilinois. Another summer night in the city of Chicago is ending, and a new summer day is begining. The sun will soon rise in the eastern sky on this fine Chicago summer morning in 2008.

Westbound Canadian National freight train. North Riverside Illinois USA. June 2007.

I took this photo one morning in June of 2007. Seen here traveling slowly westbound after recieving a green block signal, is a Canadian National Railroad freight train traveling over the former Illinois Central Railroad's Iowa Division Mainline. The train is moving alongside Commons Park, and will soon arrive at the Des Plaines Avenue railroad crossing on a hot summer morning.

1970's era Illinois Central Gulf covered hopper car. Hawthorne Junction. Chicago / Cicero Illinois USA. June 2008.

Railroad rolling stock from former and sometimes long gone railroads do show up occasionally on My railfan photo visits. seen here heading southbound on a Canadian National transfer train traveling over the Belt Railway of Chicago tracks, is an old
1972 era orange covered hopper car with faded 1972 era Illinois Central Gulf markings. The yellow reflective safety stripes were recent additions. Throughout the 1970's, the Illinois Central Gulf used these big and bold graphic roadname markings on their rolling stock. A simple black ICG later replaced this in 1981, dur to bankruptcy and economic cutbacks. Hawthorne Junction is located at the Chicago city limits, on the border at Cicero Illinois.

The Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe Corwith Yard locomotive terminal. Chicago Illinois USA. March 1985.

I took this photo way back in March of 1985, on Chicago's near southwest side.
Seen here at approximately West 41st Street, about four blocks east of South Pulaski Road, is the locomotive service facility on the northwest corner of Corwith Yard.

The Rock Island RR lives! Preserved steel cupola caboose from the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific RR on display. Tinley Park Illinois USA. June 2008.

Seen here along the east side of 80th Avenue just north of 171st Street, is this antique steel cupola caboose from the defunct Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. The Rock Island Railroad suffered through severe bankruptcy conditions for many years, and officially gave up the railroad business in March of 1980.
It's nice to know that a few Rock Island remnants remain.

The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific RR mainline actually passed through South Suburban Tinley Park Illinois. After the abandonment and liquidation of the Rock Island's assetts, the mainline through Tinley Park was sold off to Midwest regional railroad "Iowa Interstate". Metra commuter trains from Chicago to Joliet Illinois pass through Tinley Park daily, just like the Rock Island commuter trains did.

Skokie Fire Deaprtment ariel ladder truck # 118 returning to base. Skokie Illinois USA. July 2008.

I took this photo out of My front windshield during the late afternoon rush hour, in north suburban Skokie Illinois. We are facing north on Harms Road, approaching the intersection at Golf Road. Skokie Fire Department ariel ladder truck # 118 appears to be returning from a call, and will soon be back at a local firestation. Fires, accidents, emergencies, or disasters can happen at any given time. Skokie residents are rest assured that their hard working and very dedicated men and woman are on the job 24-7. Thank You Skokie Fire Department for Your Courage, Hard work, Dedication
and a job well done. Support Your local emergency response workers.

The intersection of South Archer and Cicero Avenues. A historic location near Chicago's Midway Airport. June 2008.

I took this photo after work one afternoon during rush hour, in June of 2008. We are looking at Brandy's Restaurant on the southwest corner of Archer and Cicero Avenues near Chicago Midway Airport. Most of todays Garfield Rudge neighborhood residents
aren't really aware of it, but this is a very historic location on Chicago's
southwest side.

Prior to 1934, this was a busy public transit terminal facility. This was the site
of the turn around loop for electric lightweight interurban trolley cars from the
Chicago and Joliet Electric Railway. This was also the west terminal for the
Chicago Surface Lines ( Pre CTA ) Route # 62 Archer / Cicero Avenue electric
streetcar line. The Chicago and Joliet Electric Railway, travelled southwest from
here along South Archer Avenue, and stopped in the outlying towns of Summit,Justice,
Willow Springs, Lemont, Lockport, and Joliet Illinois. In the center of the east terminal at Archer and Cicero Avenues, was a small wooden train station.
The Chicago and Joliet Electric Railway also had a branch that turned north,west
of South Harlem Avenue that served the towns of Lyons and Mc Cook Illinois.

The Chicago and Joliet Electric Railway was hard hit economically by the
Great Depression during the 1930's, and was abandoned due to bankruptcy
in the year of 1934.
The Chicago Transit Authority was formed in November of 1947, and discontinued
electric streetcar operations on Archer Avenue in 1948. A new bus turn around
loop ( Out of view to the left.) replaced the old streetcar terminal.

I seen this area in person for the first time during the late 1960's. I recall
that during the 1960's and early 1970's, this was the site of an old 1950's era
Drive In Hamburger Restaurant known as "Gossage's Grill". Gossage's Grill, had
a tall sloped roof and ceiling with Flourescent light fixtures, tall windows,
Stainless steel window counters with stools, and some of the best hot dogs
and french fries on Chicago's southwest side. ( The fries were home cut.)

Gossages Grill went out of business in 1975, and was replaced by the restaurant
building seen here in the photograph. The new restaurant was originally known as
"The Golden Century". During the 1980's, it became todays "Brandy's".
My family used to eat at Gossage's Grill and the Golden Century back then.

Westbound Canadian National freight train. North Riverside Illinois USA. June 2007.

I took this photograph one morning in June of 2007. A westbound freight
train from the Canadian National Railroad, has just recieved a green block
signal, and is traveling slowly over the former Illinois Central Railroad
Iowa Division Mainline through west suburban North Riverside Illinois.
The train is approaching the railroad crossing on Des Plaines Avenue.
Out of view behind Me, is a lovely city park known as Commons Park.

Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad steam locomotive # 3006 on dispaly. The Galesburg Railroad Museum. Galesburg Illinois USA. June 1985.

I took this photo in June of 1985 in the city of Galesburg Illinois.
Seen here facing east, located just east of the Amtrak passenger train
station in the city of Galesburg Illinois, is preserved 4-6-4 Hudson
type passenger steam locomotive # 3006 from the Chicago, Burlington
& Quincy Railroad. Steam locomotive # 3006 was built by the Baldwin
Locomotive Works of Philadelphia Pennsylvania in the year of 1930. It pulled passenger trains over many parts of the C,B &,Q untill retirement in the
late 1950's. This locomotive was donated to the city of Galesburg Illinois
for dispaly in 1961. Today, this dispaly has grown to include a heavyweight
steam era baggage car and a silver Chicago, Burlington & Quincy caboose.
Locomotive # 3006's cab is open for dispaly, and entry is gained through
a stairway on the engineers side of the cab. A rope cord is attatched so
that visitors can ring the locomotives bell. There is also a small air
whistle hooked up to the cab, and is operated by an air compressor hidden
underneath the locomotive.

The Galesburg Railroad Museum is a fine example of Historic Community Preservation.

A bright and sunny summer morning at the CTA Dempster Street station. Skokie Illinois USA. July 2008.

I took this photo one morning around 6:30 AM, at the Chicago Transit Authority Yellow Line / Skokie Swift station at Dempster Street in north suburban Skokie Illinois. The very bright morning sunshine glints off of the stainless steel
sides of the Yellow Line rapid transit train. Prior to September of 2004, this
line was operated under overhead catenary wire from Dempster Street to East Prairie
Road in the village of Skokie due to a local city ordinance. Skokie officials had
a major fear of electrocution accidents involving pedestrians. The Skokie Swift
cars seen here still retain their overhead roof walks for now, from the days
when rooftop Pantographs were used for the overhead wire.

The Skokie Swift route was actually salvaged from the abandoned Chicago, North
Shore & Milwaukee Railroad. This is the only remaning operational segment of
the Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee Railroad's Skokie Valley Mainline today.
The remainder of the Skokie Valley Mainline today, is pretty much a High Tension
Electric Utility corridor, with heavy overhead power line towers.

The CTA Yellow Line / Skokie Swift operates from Howard Street Station in downtown
Evanston Illinois, to the Dempster Street Station in Skokie Illinois. These are
the only two station stops on the route today, but there is talk about possible
future expansion to the Old Orchard Shopping Center in Skokie Illinois.
This CTA rapid Transit line opened for business in April of 1964.
Dempster Street station was originally named "Niles Center" station.

Hawthorne Junction at the Chicago city limits. Photographed just before sunset. Chicago / Cicero Illinois USA. June 2008.

This view was taken looking west at Hawthorne Junction, toward the west suburban village of Cicero Illinois just before sunset on a hot day in June of 2008. We are looking west on the Canadian National Railroad's former Illinois Central RR Iowa Division Mainline. The tracks that cross here up ahead, are those of the Belt Railway of Chicago. Prior to 1990, an old brick two story steam era interlocking
tower stood where the steel signal shed and propane tank are to the left of the
photograph. This tower was called "Belt Tower", but was refered to as being known
as ICG/ BELT Tower by area railroad crews when I visited this location in 1987.

Although this was a quiet and somewhat serene moment I had photographed between
train times, Hawthorne Junction is a busy location 24 Hours a day / 7 days a week
with frequent heavy transfer train movements, both entering and leaving the busy
Belt Railway of Chicago Clearing Yard in southwest suburban Bedford Park Illinois.

Evening arrives in northwest suburban Franklin Park Illinois. June 2008.

Another day is quietly coming to a close in near northwest suburban Franklin Park Illinois, as the lighted railroad block signals at the Edgington Street railroad crossing compliment the approaching night time sky. It is between train times at this normally busy Chicago railroad location on the CP Rail ex Milwaukee Road mainline, and a sense of solitude makes it's prescence known on this summer evening.

A 1970's era Family Lines covered hopper in transit. Hawthorne Junction. Chicago / Cicero Illinois USA. June 2007.

Once in awhile , I occasionally spot rolling stock in color schemes and markings of "Fallen Flag" or "Predecessor" railroads that made up todays giant mega merger railroad carriers. This Family Lines covered hopper, now owned by todays CSX Transportation Company, is seen heading southbound on a Canadian Pacific transfer train at Hawthorne junction. The train is enroute to the Belt Railway of Chicago Clearing Yard in southwest suburban Bedford Park Illinois.

Westbound Metra express commuter train passing through the elevated River Forest commuter rail station. River Forest Illinois USA. June 2007.

I took this photo one day after work in June of 2007. seen here on a hot
Chicagoland evening, is a westbound Metra express commuter train enroute to Elburn
Illinois. River Forest is located on the Metra / Union Pacific "West Line".
In past years, this was the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad.

A bright red Canadian Pacific EMD roadswitcher on a switching local. Franklin Park Illinois USA. October 2007.

I took this photo one afternoon last year in October of 2007. In a coat of recently painted bright red paint, a CP Rail locomotive pulls a switching local east through northwest suburban Franklin Park Illinois on a lovely Autum day.

Eddie's Railfan Page is back!

Hi everyone!
This is Eddie K, Your host and photographer here at Eddie's Railfan Page
with some really great news for all railfans and people with local City
of Chicago interests alike.
Eddie's Railfan Page is officially back again on the WWW!
We are also now New and Impoved for Your viewing pleasure.

Intermission is over! On with the show!

Thanks everyone!

Eddie K.

The original Lindy's Chilli on South Archer Avenue. Chicago Illinois USA. June 2007.

Seen here on South Archer Avenue just east of the intersection of South Western Avenue in Chicago's Mc Kinley Park neighborhood, is a local eatery that made it big successfully here in the Windy City. This little neighborhood lunch counter Chilli Parlor diner restaurant opened for business at this location in 1924. Lindy's Chilli for many decades was a popular luch counter restaurant, that was famous for it's many varieties in Chilli on Chicago's near southwest side,located just east of the Brighton Park neighborhood. During the 1980's, another Chicago success story...The people at Gertie's Ice Cream "Merged" with the owners of Lindy's Chilli, and today it is a very successfull and ever expanding Chicago food franchise operation.

I occasionally stop to eat at the Lindy's Chilli / Gertie's Ice Cream restaurant in southwest suburban Bridgeview Illinois. I highly recomend trying their entree known as the "Chilli Tamales Extravaganza", or even a bowl of Turkey Style Chilli with Macaroni. Mmmmmmm!!!

For all the local Chicago railfans, This Lindy's / Gertie's is located just east of Brighton Junction at Archer and Western Avenues.

The old Santa Fe tower / ex Crane Plumbing Supply building during demolition. Chicago Illinois USA. July 1993. Dennis Madia photograph.

This now "Rare" photograph, was sent to Me by one of My readers Mr. Dennis Madia.
Dennis has informed Me, that He is a former Chicago resident who hails from the
Portage Park neighborhood on the northside of the city of Chicago, and today resides in Cinncinati Ohio. Dennis took this photo in July of 1993, looking south along the west side of South Kedzie Avenue near west 41st Street, in Chicago's Brighton Park neighborhood,on the near southwest side
of the city of Chicago Illinois.

This is at the east entrance of the Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad's Checkpoint Chico -Piggyback /intermodal facility adjacent to the A,T & S,F
Corwith Yard.

A special thanks to Dennis Madia for documenting
this now lost piece of Southside Chicago.

Thank You Dennis.

Eddie K.

The Grand trunk Western Elsdon Yard engine terminal. (Gone.) Chicago Illinois USA. October 1983.

I took this photo on a beautiful Autum day, in early October of 1983.
This was the Grand Trunk Western Railroad's Elsdon locomotive servicing facility, located just two blocks north of west 51st Street, and approximately two blocks west of the Elsdon roundhouse at West 49th Street and South Kedzie Avenue, in Chicago's Elsdon neighborhood. This was photographed during the official last week of operation at the old steam era Elsdon Yard and Roundhouse. The following week, this place was empty like an old ghost town. Notice the orange EMD diesel roadswitcher acquired from the Detroit, Toledo & Ironton Railroad in a 1981 merger.

Westbound Chicago Transit Authority Blue line rapid transit train. Chicago Illinois USA. June 2008.

I took this photo after work one day, in June of 2008. We are looking east from the Canfield Road overpass bridge at the I-90 Kennedy Expressway at the city limits border are near Park Ridge Illinois. The eastbound or inbound lanes to the right of the expressway median, are backed up solid with heavy rush hour traffic enroute to downtown Chicago, while the westbound lanes to the left are moving at a moderate pace. The CTA Blue line train in the center median, is making great time as it passes all traffic at speed enroute to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport in northwest suburban Rosemont Illinois.

Memphis Main Street Trolley heading northbound on Main Street, as seen through the front door of a Walgreen's Drug Store. Memphis Tennesee USA. 2007.

I took this unique photo looking out the front glass door, of the Walgreen's Drug Store at the corner of Madison Avenue and Main Street, in downtown Memphis Tennesee.
The Memphis Main Street trolley passed this Walgreen's Drug Store, and several businesses in downtown Memphis Tennesee. There is also a line along the east bank of the Missisippi River known as the Riverfront Line, and a line traveling east of here to the Saint Jude's Medical Center. Elvis Presley was a generous doner to the Saint Jude's Medical Center and various other charities in the city of Memphis. His 1st residence in Memphis, was an inexpensive apartment housing project across the street from the Saint Jude's Medical Center. There is much to see and do in the city of Memphis Tennesee.

New and improved! Videos added to liks section "My Flickr Photo Page"!

Yes folks, Eddie's Railfan Page is back! The best part of
all...It's New and Improved! On My liks section to the right
of Your computer screen, You will find the Link entitled
My Flickr Photo Page. I recently upgraded to a "Flickr Pro"
format, and now You can view some short videos that I am in
the process of uploading. I hope that You enjoy these.

Thank You.
Eddie K.

Westbound Canadian Pacific freight train. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. May 2008.

The silence of a quiet and lazy Sunday afternoon in May of 2008, is briefly interupted by the passing of a westbound CP Rail freight train passing the 75th Avenue railroad crossing, in near northwest suburban Elmwood Park Illinois.

Antique construction equipment on display. Hillside Illinois USA. September 2006.

Photographed at the entrance to the Polumbo Brother's Construction Company on the west side of Manheim Road -Illinois U.S Route # 12 and # 45 in Hillside Illinois, just north of the intersection of West Roosevelt Road -Illinois U.S Route # 38, is this display of a 1920's era chain driven Mack dump truck and an old mining
bucket boom shovel used in quarry operations decades ago.

A hot summer night memory at the Hamburger Heaven Drive In. Elmhurst Illinois USA. July 2008.

Almost like a scene out of the movie American Grafitti, or the TV show Happy Days, there are still a small number of these 1950's and 60's era roadside drive in restaurants around the greater Chicagoland area today. ( but not many.)

Hamburger Heaven is located on the southeast corner of North Avenue and York Street in Elmhurst Illinois. This seasonal drive in hamburger stand, (Closed in the winter.)
has been serving hungry patrons in the Elmhurst area for decades. With it's walk up window, good food and friendly service...It survives today at the same location.
Drive In places like this, bring back happy memorys of Chicagoland summer nights some 40 to 50 years ago for some of the residents. It is a real scene from the past.
Chicago had a number of drive in restaurants with Car Hop service in Berwyn and Countryside Illinois untill the mid 1970's. It was a fun American culture from the 1950's and 60's era before the glut of fast food giant franchises took over.

One of My earliest railfan photos. Vermont. July 1980.

I officially became the railfan photographer I am , back in the year of 1983 when I had bought My first 35MM camera. However....I have a few "Unoficial" random train photos I had taken prior to this. In 1980, My Family and Myself went on a motorcoach vacation out east to the New England States. The scenery was wonderful and the people were very nice. I took this photo somewhere in the State of Vermont. What town You ask? I forgot.

I spotted this early 1950's vintage Vermont Railway ALCO model RS -3 roadswitcher spotting cars at what appeared to be a nearby industrial spur lead adjacent to where My bus tour made a rest stop. This locomotive would later be sold, and would eventually pull tourist trains on the Batten Kill Railroad in New York State.

The Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad's modest but busy Argo Yard. Summit Illinois USA. July 2007.

A rebuilt 1960's and 70's era EMD end cab switcher in the 2005 orange scheme, is busy spotting cars in Summit Illinois at the modestly sized but busy nonetheless Argo Yard .

The Memphis Main Street Trolley. Car # 454 rounding the corner at Madison Avenue and Main Street in downtown Memphis Tennesee. September 2007.

I took this photo in september of 2007 while on My vacation down south to the city of Memphis Tennesee. Green former Melbourne Australia W-2 class electric tram car, is seen passing the Walgreens drug store at the corner of Madison Avenue and Main Street. Memphis Tennesee has a nice electric streetcar system using both refurbished
vintage streetcars, and modern replica ones too.

Southbound Canadian National transfer train. Hawthorne Junction. Chicago / Cicero Illinois. June 2008.

I took this photo at Hawthorne Junction at the Chicago city limits by the Cicero border. A southbound Canadian National Railroad transfer train, is seen traveling over the Belt Railway of Chicago enroute to Clearing Yard in southwest suburban Bedford Park Illinois. The train is passing over the crosstracks of the Canadian National Railroads former Illinois Central RR iowa Division mainline.

Eastbound BNSF Railway transfer train departing Clearing Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. May 2006.

I took this photo one day after work in May of 2006. We are at West 60th Street
and South Oak Park Avenue in Chicago's Clearing neighborhood at the city limits
near the suburban towns of Summit and Bedford Park Illinois. An eastbound BNSF Railway transfer train with a locomotive borrowed from the Canadian National Railroad, is rounding the curve and heading east over the Belt Railway of Chicago trackage. This freight train has just left the west end of Clearing Yard with tonnage in tow. The quiet is interupted by the squeeling of flanged wheels on the curve, and the rumble of heavy duty mainline diesel elctric roadswitcher locomotives.

Chicago at night. Chicago Illinois USA. June 2008.

I took this photo one night in June of 2008, in the downtown section of the city of
Chicago Ilinois. I took this photo at the intersection of Clark and Washington
Streets, just across the street from Chicago's Daley Plaza. The lights of downtown
Chicago stay on long after the stores and businesses close for the night. Unless
of course there is some sort of a power outage or major blackout. ( It's happened.)
The night time air is filled with the sounds of street sweeper vechicles from the
Chicago department of Streets and Sanitation, the large decorative ground leval
water fountain in Daley Plaza, radios blasting from passing cars, CTA buses and
occasional rapid transit trains, private refuse garbage trucks making their pick
up collection at various down town loading docks. Sometimes the streets of downtown
Chicago get blocked off at certain locations for Hollywood motion picture filming.
Mostly it is quiet afer a certain time. Still this is a nice night scene from
the Windy city on a summer night.

Recreating history in black and white on the Strasburg Railroad. Strasburg Pennsylvania USA. August 1990.

In August of 1990, I spent a week on vacation in Strasburg Pennsylvania.
I was curious to try shooting a roll of 35MM Kodak ASA 100 Speed black
and white film just for the fun of it all. The results were even better than
I ever thought that they would be.

I took this photo on a hazy and humid summer morning in August of 1990.
The outbound Strasburg Railroad train has just passed through Cherry Hill Junction, located across Cherry Hill Road from the Groff's Grove picnic station stop.
Steam locomotive #90 now has the clear, as it pulls it's inbound train back to the station at nearby East Strasburg Pennsylvania. The train is seen departing Groff's grove flagstop depot, in what could easilly appear to be a photo taken many decades ago. The old wooden open platform coaches add a nice touch to this working scene.

The Grand Trunk Western Elsdon train station on West 51st Street. Chicago Illinois USA. October 1983. ( Gone.)

Ever since the begining of Eddie's Railfan Page back in Febuary of 2006, one
of the all time most talked about and most requested photos seen here, is
this one I took in October of 1983 on the southwest side of the city of Chicago Illinois in the Elsdon neighborhood.

I visited the Grand Trunk Western Railroad Elsdon Yard on West 51st Street just east of South Lawndale Avenue, on a lovely Autum afternoon in early October of 1983. Recent rumors were circulating amongst local Chicago railfans, that the GTW was in the process of closing Elsdon Yard. Their switching and locomotive servicing would soon be handled at the Belt Railway of Chicago Clearing Yard in Bedford Park Illinois. I began My "True" railfanning with a camera in hand in early 1983, just prior to the closing of Elsdon Yard.

I was informed that afternoon by various railroad crew members, that this was
the last week of operation at Elsdon Yard, and to take My photos now before it
was too late. I always adored the beautiful victorian architecture of the Elsdon depot wich was built in 1888. The Elsdon depot was demolished in November of 1983.
this was My last look at this lovely building. I still miss it today.

Train and Plane photographic meet. Schiller Park Illinois USA. July 2008.

A lunch time visit to this railroad junction offered more than mere train spotting on this hot summer afternoon in July of 2008. A southbound Canadian National transfer train is seen waiting on a hold order at the north entrance to the CN owned ex Wisconsin Central freight yard in Schiller Park Illinois. It looks like some dispatcher gave the plane the right of way at this junction, as it descends for it's landing at nearby O'Hare International Airport passing over the freight train.

Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, was originally named "Old Orchard Airport"
many decades ago.

Chicago Gravel Company # 18 at sunset. Bensenville Illinois USA. July 2008.

The sun set on the steam era decades ago here in North America and other parts of the world We live in, but a few vintage examples stand vigil on display in city parks and museums today. Chicago Gravel Company # 18, is an ALCO -American Locomotive Company 6 wheel 0-6-0 type steam switching locomotive built in 1922.
It was originally the plant switcher for the Studebaker Automobile Factory in South Bend Indiana. Many years later when Studebaker decided that they no longer needed steam locomotive #18, they sold it second hand to the Chicago Gravel Company, to switch their quarry in South Elgin Illinois. Chicago Gravel Company cosmetically restored # 18 after retirement, and donated it to the city of Bensenville Illinois in 1961. It has been on display here at Bensenville's Veteran's Park since then.
This display at Veteran's Park, is located just east of the intersection at Main Street and Church Road in Bensenville Illinois.

Stan's Drive In, located on the southwest corner of South Archer Avenue and Lock Street in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood. Chicago Illinois USA.

The southside of the city of Chicago, is full of unique places and various family style neighborhood establishments. This unique little structure, is located on the southwest corner of South Archer Avenue and South Lock Street in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood. Although closed at the time of My visit after work one day in June of 2008....Stan's Drive In is a business thats been in business since 1963.
This unique little structure, looks like it could have been one of those 1920's era Mom and Pop neighborhood 2 pump gasoline stations at one time decades ago.

While I have never eaten there Myself, I have heard happy stories from local Bridgeport neighborhood residents of getting a coffee, doughnut, or sandwich on their way to work in the morning. They all had nice things to say about Stan's.

Two train meet on the CTA blue line. Forest Park Illinois USA. August 2006.

The hot summer sunshine is beating down on the ballast, rails , and tracks on an August afternoon in 2006. An inbound train to the end of the line terminal on Des Plaines Avenue passes on the right, while an outbound train to downtown Chicago and O'Hare International Airport passes on the left. The Chicago transit Authority blue line, is one of Chicago's lenghtiest rapid transit lines. This line operates in a horse shoe pattern traveling between Forest Park, Chicago, and Rosemont Illinois.

Twilight at the Franklin Park Metra commuter rail station. Franklin Park Illinois USA. June 2008.

Another hot summer day has come and gone in the greater Chicagoland area, as nightfall is now upon near northwest suburban Franklin Park Illinois. The last rays of daylight are quickly fading over the horizon, as the stations outside lights are turned on for their nightly vigil in this railroad town.

Westbound Canadian National Railroad heavy freight train. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. June 2008.

With loud and deep toned air horns blowing for the railroad crossing on 75th Avenue, a westbound Canadian National freight train slowly gains momentum as it gets the heavy freight train under way. The new diesel locomotives are growling heavilly, as the train slowly builds up speed.

Eastbound BNSF Railway intermodal train. Riverside Illinois USA. October 2007.

I took this photo one beautiful Autum morning in October of 2007. An eastbound BNSF Railway intermodal train, is seen racing toward Chicago Illinois, passing through the station in west suburban Riverside Illinois.

Your host and photographer at work. June 2008.

Hi folks!
Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page.
Here I am at work pursuing My career
as a Paratransit Driver. Operating a
handicapped bus gives Me a chance to
experience helping people who are a
lot less fortunate than most of us.
I enjoy what I am doing.

Yo Joe's Hot Dogs on West Addison Street. Chicago Illinois USA. June 2008.

Located on the southwest corner of West Addison Street and North Naragansett
Avenue on Chicago's northwest side, is this little neighborhood fast food
hot dog stand known as Yo Joe's. This little street corner Chicago fast
food eatery is now open untill 2 AM, for when those late night hungry
appetites come calling to You. It is a popular neighborhood establishment
with a local Chicago Cubs baseball theme.

Westbound Canadian Pacific freight train with former Soo Line locomotives entering Franklin Park Illinois. May 2008.

A westbound CP Rail transfer train enroute to the CP Rail ex Milwaukee Road
Bensenville Yard, slowly enters downtown Franklin Park Illinois, on a partly
cloudy Spring afternoon in May of 2008. The lead diesel locomotives are
from pre 1990 predecessor railroad Soo Line.

Former Wisconsin Central EMD roadswitcher on top of the Lawrence Avenue viaduct. Schiller Park Illinois USA. July 2008.

The regional railroad Wisconsin Central became yet another fallen flag
railroad after Canadian National bought them out through a recent merger.
Still working the Schiller Park CN yard in its former markings and color
scheme after the fact, is this EMD roadswitcher moving northbound on a light
engine movement over the Lawrence Avenue viaduct on a hot summer afternoon
in July of 2008.

Preserved Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific caboose. Tinley Park Illinois USA. June 2008.

If one looks around carefully enough in the Greater Chicagoland Area, vintage pieces of our railroad heritage will show up on display somewhere around town eventually. This relic from the defunct Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad / AKA -"The Rock Island Line", can be seen today on display in a city park in south suburban Tinley Park Illinois. The caboose is on the east side of 80th Avenue , just north of West 171 st Street alongside an asphalt bicycle trail.
It has been lovingly restored.

Strasburg Railroad 0-6-0 # 31 running light in reverse. Strasburg Pennsylvania USA. August 1990.

This photo is one of My personal "All Time Favorites" I had taken.
I was vacationing in Strasburg Pennsylvania in August of 1990, and
decided to experiment by shooting a roll of 35 MM black and white
film. The results were very "Vintage" looking. Seen here one hazy
summer morning in what could easilly be a scene out of the early 1950's,
is locomotive # 31 from tourist hauler "Strasburg Railroad", running
light on a break in run after recieving repairs in the Strasburg Railroad
locomotive shop. The locomotive was backing down the 4 and 1/2 mile
branchline railroad, wich has been hauling tourist in southeastern
Pennsylvania since 1959.

Intermodal switching activity on the south hump at the BNSF Railway's ex A,T & S,F Corwith Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. June 2008.

Believe it or not, part of My time spent railfanning...is actually in rush hour traffic.
I took this photo looking west on South Archer Avenue, just east of West 47th Street
on Chicago's southwest side.

This is the busy Burlington Northern, Santa Fe Railway south hump at the Corwith Yard intermodal facility. I have been railfanning this location with a camera on and off, since the
early 1980's when this was the former Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. The former
A,T &,S,F did see it's fair share of piggyback and intermodal traffic here, but also a decent
amount of box car traffic too. Today it is practically 100% intermodal at Corwith Yard.

Early 1980's era Illinois Central Gulf covered hopper in transit. Hawthorne Junction. Chicago /Cicero Illinois USA. June 2008.

I took this photo one late afternoon in June of 2008 at Hawthorne Junction near Cicero Illinois.
I was taking railfan photos on location at the Chicago city limits with good friend and fellow Chicago railfan Anthony C. Seen here is a somewhat faded orange covered hopper from fallen flag railroad Ilinois Central Gulf. The Illinois Central Gulf was created from an October 1972 merger between the Illinois Central Railroad, and the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad. This was not a good decision in the long run, as the ICG eventually found itself in bankruptcy. The Illinois Central Gulf orange covered hoppers originally had a big and bold Illinois Central Gulf split rail logo that the Illinois Central began using around 1967, but by 1981...began using this very stripped down and economical ICG lettering instead. The real Illinois Central reorganized around 1987, and soon sold off many of it's former G,M & O lines to new "Spin Off" regional and short line railroads. The Canadian National Railroad merged and bought out the former Illinois Central in 1999. Yet still...You can still find these vintage fallen flag markings and color schemes rolling around today if You observe close enough. This car dates to 1981.

Cantilever Signal Bridge

A Cantilever Signal Bridge
Near Dwight, Illinois

Found this signal bridge along the Amtrak tracks just outside of Dwight, IL.

Eddie's Railfan Page is experiencing technical difficulties.

Just when I thought that Eddie's Railfan Page
had recieved a green block signal....My posting
seems to have been put back on a hold order.
I am still in the process of resolving My
photo storage space issue with Blogspot.com, and
it looks like they have Me blocked again. (Dang!)

I was able to upload a small set of photos through
My Flickr photo page, but Blogspot.com has found
another way to block My efforts again.

My blogsite should be up and running again in about
a week or less. Please stay tuned for further information.

"The rumors of My demise have been greatly exagerated". (Mark Twain.)
"My blogsite has not gone defunct like the Rock Island". ( Eddie K.)

We will be back soon with more of My photo work from Chicago Illinois.

Thank You.
Eddie K.

Were Rolling Again!!!

Hi everyone!
This is Eddie K, Your host and photographer , officially welcoming You back
to Eddie's Railfan Page! After a lenghty period of unplanned intermission...
Were Rolling Again here on the WWW!

Once again I will be showing photos of Chicago area transportation subject matter, as
well as photos of Chicago neighborhoods and surrounding suburban communities, plus
all those photos You have come to know that bring back happy memorys for anyone
who grew up in the Chicago area.

Welcome back everybody! I missed all of You.

Thank You.
Eddie K.