Welcome to my rail fan page! Here you'll find information and pictures of railroad related items from the Chicagoland area, Wisconsin and Indiana. Enjoy your stay. All Aboard!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Saint Peter's Catholic Church on West Madison Street in downtown Chicago Illinois. August 2008.
I took this late night photo just west of the intersection of West Madison and North Clark Streets in downtown Chicago, in August of 2008. This is the large Saint Peter's Catholic Church, wich is attended by many people working in downtown Chicago, as well as tourists, and local area residents living in or around downtown Chicago Illinois. My now deceased Aunt Rosemary 1926 -2008, was a regualar attendee
at this downtown Chicagp place of worship.
Two BNSF Railway EMD roadswitchers idling on top of the hump. Corwith Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. March 2008.
I took this photo after work one day in March of 2008. Seen here just north of the intersection of South Archer Avenue and West 47th Street in Chicago's Brighton Park neighborhood, are two BNSF Railway locomotives idling between assignments. This photo was taken at the former Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe RR Corwith Yard facility.
The Amtrak / Metra La Grange Road commuter rail station. La Grange Illinois USA. June 2007.
Seen here just west of the intersection at La Grange Road alongside Burlington Avenue, is the La Grange passenger rail station utilized by both Amtrak, and Chicago's Metra commuter rail trains. This attractive brick depot, serves Metra commuter passengers on the BNSF Railway Chicago to Aurora 3 track mainline, refered to by most r]Chicago railfans as "The 3 track Racetrack". The Amtrak Illinois Zephyr regional passenger trains to and from Quincy Illinois stop here as well.
Southbound Indiana Harbor Belt transfer train. Alsip Illinois USA. Late October 1990.
Short Grand Trunk Western transfer train on the westbound Hayford Junction interchange curve connection. Hayford Junction. Chicago Illinois June 1984
A short southbound GTW local freight / transfer run train, has just left the Grand Trunk Western mainline north of the Belt Railway of Chicago crosstracks at Hayford Junction, and is rounding the interchange curve to head westbound into the Belt Railway of Chicago Clearing Yard. The bright greens of late spring and early summer prevail on this partly cloudy but pleasant afternoon, in June of 1984.
Trains and rain. Brookfield Illinois USA. November 2007.
I took this photo on a rainy November morning in 2007, at west suburban Brookfield Illinois. A heavy and cold rain is falling on the greater Chicagoland area on this late Autum morning, as an eastbound BNSF Railway freight train speeds toward Chicago Ilinois. This photo was taken looking east on Brookfield Avenue, near the intersection at Prairie Avenue. Railroads operate in all seasons and all weather. The BNSF Railway is no exception to that either.
Friday, August 29, 2008
It's Friday and it's quiting time! The workday is over and the weekend is beging!
Westbound Burlington Northern RR commuter local approaching the La Grange road station. La Grange Illinois USA. June 1985.
Remember those classic 1953 vintage EMD E-9 streamlined cab unit passenger diesels that worked on this Chicago to Aurora commuter line until September of 1992?
I most certainly do! And I miss hearing their unique twin engined sound, and seeing their classic and stylish contours.
I photographed this Aurora bound commuter train looking east from La Grange Road near Burlington Avenue in June of 1985. This is a classic and timeless scene of
Chicago rail commuting from years past.
The CTA Oak Park Avenue Blue line rapid transit station. Oak Park Illinois USA. May 2006.
Switching activity at the Canadian National Crawford Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. May 2007.
I took this photo after work one lovely Spring afternoon in May of 2007.
Seen here at work in the former Illinois Central Crawford Yard, are two
EMD roadswitchers putting together unit tank car trains. Crawford Yard is located
at South Kostner Avenue at approximately West 33rd Street, at the Chicago city limits just foot steps away from west suburban Cicero Illinois.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
The east food court entrance. Golf Mill Mall. Niles Illinois USA. August 2008.
Hi everybody!
welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page.
I took this photo one morning in 2008, at the east parking lot adjacent to North Milwaukee Avenue / Illinois U.S Route # 21, at the Golf Mill Mall in north suburban Niles illinois. Golf Mill Mall is a pleasant place to visit in the Niles area, with nice little stores, a food court, and pleasant year round indoor atmoshere. Golf Mill Mall is surrounded by Church Street on the south ,Golf Road /Illinois U.S Route 58 on the north, Milwaukee Avenue on the east, and Greenwood Road on the west side of the shopping complex.
Metra commuter passengers disembarking at the Norwood Park station. Chicago Illinois USA. June 2008.
Pedestrian crossing gates on the CTA Yellow line Oakton Street railroad crossing. Skokie Illinois USA. August 2008.
Chicago bound Amtrak Empire Builder departing north suburban Glenview Illinois. August 2008.
With the locomotive bell ringing, two short toots on the horns, and the unmistakeable reving up of a diesel engine under load conditions, the Amtrak Empire builder from Seatle Washington is seen departing Glenview Illinois. The train will now finish the final leg of it's journey to Chicago Union Station on a lovely August evening in 2008.
A message from Your host and photographer.
Hi everyone!
This is Eddie K. I am Your host and photographer here at Eddie's Railfan Page.
My blogsite has been up and running on the WWW for two and 1/2 years now, begining
in Febuary of 2006.
I have recieved numerous E-Mails from both railfans and non railfans alike,
and I think that it is absolutely wonderful. I have recieved E-Mails from various parts of the world, as well as many E-Mail comments from former Chicagoans who are now residing in other states these days.
I would like to ask of all of You who enjoy Eddie's Railfan Page....
What was your favorite -Photo? Subject? Story? or past posting?
Since I don't strictly emphasize railroad or transportation photos
100% of the time, I have reached out to a wider range and jondra
of internet audience. I would like to know....What was Your favorite
thing that You have viewed here so far at Eddie's Railfan Page.
Happy memorys are always welcomed here.
Thank you.
Eddie K.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Two Belt Railway of Chicago EMD roadswitchers at work near the West 68th Street Wye. Chicago Illinois. July 2007.
The ready tracks at the Union Pacific Railroad M-19A Diesel Shop. Chicago Illinois USA. June 2008.
A set of Union Pacific diesel freight locomotives, are seen idling on the ready tracks at the Union Pacific Railroad M-19A Diesel Shop on Chicago's westside.
This facility is located along the north side of west kinzie street between North Kilbourn Avenue and North Pulaski Road. Metra commuter trains to and from Elburn Illinois pass through here daily at speed.
Chicago bound Metra commuter train passing the Union Pacific M-19A Diesel Shop. Chicago Illinois USA. June 2007.
An eastbound Metra commuter train is on the final leg of it's downtown journey to the Richard B. Olgivie Transportation center on west Madison Street in Chicago. The train si speeding past the union Pacific Railroad M-19A Diesel Shop located at 400 North pulaski Road on Chicago's westside. This is a former Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad facility acquired through merger in the 1990's.
Sunset at the Belt Railway of Chicago west 68th Street Wye Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2008.
This scene was photographed around twilight, on a hot August evening in 2008.
This is the West 68th Street Wye Junction at the Belt Railwaof Chicago's Clearing Yard near Chicago's Midway Airport. Southbound trains enter Clearing Yard here at this location, and northbound trains depart from here as well. This is a very busy Chicago southside railroad junction.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
The upper parking deck at Harlem Irving Plaza. Norridge Illinois USA. July 2008.
Hi everyone!
welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page from the city of Chicago Illinois.
Seen here just west of the Chicago city limits, is Chicagoland's famous
Harlem Irving Plaza shopping center. This is a popular local indoor Chicago
area shopping mall that opened in 1956, and is still going strong today.
The hot afternoon sun is beating down on the upper parking deck, on a sunny
afternoon in July of 2008. Many of the visiting shoppers are heading inside
to escape the scoarching Chicago summer heat, and spend time in the comfortable
air conditioned mall.
Union Pacific Railroad heavy maintenance of way department GMC truck. Chicago Illinois USA. September 2007.
Former Grand Trunk Western EMD roadswitcher at work. The Canadian National RR Crawford Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. Early November 2007.
The daylight hours were becoming noticeably shorter, when I took this photo one evening after work, in early Novembember of 2007. Seen here on Chicago's near southwest side looking west from South Kostner Avenue at approximately West 33rd Street, is a former Grand Trunk Western Railroad EMD roadswitcher acquired through merger by the Canadian National Railroad. This locomotive and crew are busy working the sidings in the former Illinois Central Railroad -Crawford Yard, located just east of the Chicago city limits near Cicero Illinois.
Shiny brand new Interstate Asphalt Company railroad tank car. The Canadian National RR Crawford Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. June 2008.
I spotted this unique, fresh from the factory, not a speck of rust on it railroad tank car from the Interstate Asphalt Company, sitting in the Canadian National ex Illinois Central Crawford Yard near the Chicago city limits. I was on a railfan photo shoot outing with good friend and fellow Chicago Railfan Anthony C, in June
of 2008 when we spotted this treasure. The car looked like it had barely rolled it's first mile at all. The paint was shiny, and there was no rust, grime or grafitti
anywhere to be found on this car. It's like the Canadian National just took it out of a kit box after visiting a hobby store. Ha ha ha!
It was refreshing to see this after seeing car upon car grafitti tagged at Crawford Yard that afternoon. A rare sight indeed these days on any rail line.
The badly weathered Cicero commuter rail station sign. Cicero Illinois USA. September 2007.
This is a photo looking north I had taken at the Metra commuter rail station, in immediate west suburban Cicero Illinois. The Metra Cicero open air comuter rail depot, has long since seen better days. This depot is located on South Cicero Avenue / Illinois U.S Route #50 between West 26th Street and South Ogden Avenue -Illinois U.S Route # 34 aka Old U.S Route # 66.
The pavement with the weeds growing through it, is the site of the former Parking lot.
This sign, combined with deferred maintenance, and vandalism of the Metra commuter rail depot, reflect the decaying, economically depressed character of the village of Cicero Illinois itself these days. However...The village of Cicero is working on
several new improvement projects for the near future to enhance, redevelope, and economically stimulate the local business community.
Westbound Amtrak Illinois Zephyr passenger train passing through Brookfield Illinois. April 2007.
I took this photo on a cloudy Springtime evening after work one day, in April of 2007. This is the Amtrak Illinois Zephyr regional passenger train enroute to Quincy Illinois. The train is seen here slowing down for the upcoming station stop in west suburban La Grange Illinois, at the Amtrak / Metra La Grange Road commuter rail station. This photo was taken just east of the Maple Avenue railroad crossing, alongside Brookfield Avenue.
Westbound Chicago Transit Authority Yellow line / Skokie Swift train at the Kostner Avenue railroad crossing. Skokie Illinois USA. August 2008.
The ringing of the crossing gate bells, and the sound of the electronic
high pitched "Peanut whistle" on this westbound speeding CTA train...temporarily
breaks the silence on the very residential Kostner Avenue in north suburban
Skokie Illinois. This is the Chicago Transit Authority's Yellow line rapid transit
line, also known as the "Skokie Swift". The line has been in operation as such since
April of 1964, and utilizes a portion of the abandoned Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee electric interurban railroad "Skokie Valley Mainline", from Howard Street station in downtown Evanston Illinois, to Dempster Street station in Skokie Illinois.
The original name for the town of Skokie Illinois, was Niles Center.
Monday, August 25, 2008
The Metra Riverside commuter rail station with decorative American 4th of July bunting. Riverside Illinois USA. Early July 2008.
Canadian National covered hopper with Chicago Central reporting marks. Hawthorne Junction. Chicago / Cicero Illinois. June 2008.
Seen here on a southbound Canadian National transfer train at the Chicago city limits, is a Canadian National RR covered hopper with "C C" reporting marks initials for the former Chicago, Central & Pacific Railroad. The Chicago Central was a regional
railroad created in 1985, from the sale of the former Illinois Central Gulf Iowa division mainline. Illinois Central bought the line back in 1996.
Eastbound Metra passing through the tall lineside weeds. Chicago Illinois USA. October 2006.
Northside neighborhood appeal. The CTA brown line crossing North Rockwell Street. Chicago Illinois USA. April 2006.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Coming in September 2008. My Chicagoland Railfan Slideshow!
I will be hosting a Chicagoland Railfan Slideshow on Tuesday night, September 23rd 2008 at the Eisenhower Public Library from 7:00 to 8:30 PM.
The Eisenhower Public Library is located at 4613 North Oketo Avenue in Harwood Heights Illinois.
I hope to see everyone there. It will be fun.
Thank You.
Eddie K.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Vince's Pizza on West 63rd Street and South Melvina Avenue. Chicago Illinois USA.
Hi friends!
Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page.
A fun outlet and addition to the many creative railfan blogsite
postings I do here at Eddie's Railfan Page, are the many wonderful
outings that Myself and several friends enjoy at any number of
local Chicago area pizza restaurants.
This is Vince's Pizza, located on west 63rd Street and South Melvina Avenue
near Chicago's Midway Airport. Located in Chicago's Clearing neighborhood
at the city limits near the towns of Summit and Bedford Park Illinois, this
is a pleasant neighborhood restaurant with that unique southside Chicago
pizza taste Me and My friends enjoy.
The many pizza outings that we attend occasionally, gives us the chance to
go out together in a group, swap stories, have some much needed fun, and
occasionally meet new people. I had the distinct pleasure of meeting one of
My blogsite readers, Renee, aka Leomemorial here back in March of 2008.
We all had a great time that night.
Chicago bound speeding Amtrak train. Willow Springs Illinois USA. September 1988.
The silence of a quiet Sunday afternoon in the village of Willow Springs
Illinois, has been interupted by a speeding Amtrak train enroute to
Chicago Union Station. This train is racing eastbound over the Illinois
Central Railroad ex Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad mainline, on a sunny
and warm September afternoon in the year of 1988.
Westbound speeding empty unit coal train racing through Brookfield. Brookfield Illinois USA. December 2006.
It was a busy morning in December of 2006 at the Prarie Avenue railroad crossing
in west suburban Brookfield Illinois, as a steady stream of freight trains, as
well as Metra commuter runs passed My camera lens on that mild 50 degree morning.
Seen here is a westbound BNSF Railway empty unit coal train leaving Chicago, and
heading westbound at speed to the coal mines in the State of Wyoming.
Preserved historic tower B-12 at sunset. Franklin Park Illinois USA. June 2008.
Another summer day is coming to a close in northwest suburban Franklin Park
Illinois, as historic tower B-12 is backlit by the days fading sunlight.
It was between train times in this normally very busy suburban railroad
junction town, and I am sure an occasional quiet moment was appreciated
by some of the towns residents on this lovely summer evening.
Gray former 1990's era Illinois Central covered hopper. Hawthorne Junction. Chicago / Cicero Illinois USA. June 2008.
I spotted this old weather beaten former Illinois Central covered hopper
in transit on a southbound Canadian National transfer train. This train
was heading southbound to the huge Belt Railway of Chicago Clearing Yard
facility, in southwest suburban Bedford Park Illinois. This train is traveling
over the Belt Railway of Chicago's north and south trunk line, and is crossing
the Canadian National ex Illinois Central crosstracks at Hawthorne Junction
at the Chicago city limits. This was the last color scheme that Illinois Central
had used on some freight cars prior to the 1999 merger and acquisition by the
Canadian National railroad.
Looking west into the BNSF Clyde Yard. Cicero Illinois USA. September 2007.
I took this photo one afternoon on location, at the Metra Cicero
commuter rail station just outside of the Chicago city limits.
This is the view looking west from the north platform, wich serves
the westbound Metra commuter trains that travel between Chicago and
Aurora Illinois. This route utilizes the BNSF Railway 3 track Chicago
to Aurora ex Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad mainline.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Night time at the Glenview Dairy Bar. Glenview Illinois USA. August 2008.
A summer night in the Greater Chicagoland Area just wouldn't be complete
without stopping for refreshments at a favorite local roadside soft serve
ice cream stand. This is the Glenview Dairy Bar, wich advertises on their canopy
that they have been "Serving the North Shore since 1955". The Glenview Dairy Bar
is located just north of the intersection of North Harlem Avenue and Glenview Road
in north suburban Glenview Illinois. They have many varieties of soft serve treets.
Old Santa Fe maintenance of way equipment. Photographed at Mc Cook Junction. Mc Cook Illinois USA. October 1983.
I took this photo on location at Mc Cook Junction, way back in October of 1983.
The Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe boxcars and former passenger car, are now
demoted and working their final years in railroad Maintenance of Way Service.
Here they sit just north of the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad crosstracks at
Mc Cook Junction, on a mild October afternoon in 1983. The green highway overpass bridge in the background, is Illinois U.S Route # 171, wich turns into Archer Road
just south of here in Summit Illinois.
The Kiddieland Limited rounding a curve during a night time run. Kiddieland Amusement Park. Melrose Park Illinois USA. July 2008.
While not exactly a deluxe passenger train with Pulman sleeping accomodations, this
miniature gas powered replica 1950's era American streamlined passenger train circles
the grounds of the Kiddieland Amusement Park day and night during business hours.
The colors sceme is much like the Southern Pacific "Daylight" passenger trains that
operated on the west coast decades ago.
Eastbound Amtrak train on the last leg of the journey. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2008.
I took this photo alongside South Archer Avenue in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood.
An eastbound Amtrak passenger train, is now traveling on a slow order, as it makes
it's approach to Chicago Union Station. Soon the journey to the Windy City will
be over, and the passengers will disembark in downtown Chicago Illinois.
Southbound CSX light engine movement. Hawthorne Junction. Chicago / Cicero Illinois. March 2007.
I took this photo one afternoon in late March of 2007. A weather beaten
1970's era EMD model SD 40-2 diesel locomotive from CSX Transportation Co
is seen heading southbound over the Belt Railway of Chicago tracks, and
approaching the Canadian National ex Illinois Central crosstracks at Hawthorne
Junction. Hawthorne Junction is located on the Chicago city limits, at the
border with west suburban Cicero Illinois. I spotted this particular locomotive before on a number of occasions, working the CSX West 16th Street industrial
switching local in the village of Cicero Illinois.
This is around the time that the switching local returns to the Belt Railway
of Chicago interchange at South Knox Avenue and West 16th Street on days
when the industries are being switched. This locomotive has more than likely
finished working the West 16th Street local in Cicero Illinois, and is now
returning to the Belt Railway of Chicago Clearing Yard in Bedford Park Illinois.
Light engine movements like this one, are very common here at Hawthorne Junction.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
The North Clark Street bridge and the Chicago city skyline at night. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2008.
I took this unique late night photo in downtown Chicago Illinois, in August of 2008.
We are looking south at the north entrance to the North Clark Street bridge over
the Chicago River. Although some parts of the city of Chicago Illinois roll up
their sidewalks early, there is plenty of lighted skyscrapers and city scapes to
be photographed and enjoyed by all here in the Windy City on any given night.
Clark Street is always busy with Taxi Cabs and Buses passing through the night.
The BNSF Railway / Congress Park overhead block signal bridge. Brookfield Illinois USA. December 2006.
This tall overhead mainline block signal bridge, is located at the Prairie
Avenue railroad crossing in west suburban Brookfoeld Illinois. It was erected
during the early 2000's, and had replaced an older and somewht shorter model
that stood here. Congress Park, is the tiny Metra flagstop depot, located just
west of here at the La Grange border.
The Metra Western Avenue commuter rail station. Chicago Illinois USA. June 2007.
Miniature 7 and 1/2 " guage live steam train. The Hesston Steam Museum. Hesston Indiana USA. August 2005.
This miniature live steam train, as well as trains
of sizes large and small, can be ridden on at the Hesston Steam Museum, located
in northwest Indiana near the towns of Michigan City Indiana, and nearby New Buffalo
Michigan just across the nearby Michigan State line.
This is a working model of an American steam train from the 1870's Victorian
era. The locomotive I believe, is a Baltimore & Ohio Railroad prototype. The
wooden open platform passenger car adds a very nice touch.
For more information, contact the Hesston Steam Museum at www.hesston.org
of sizes large and small, can be ridden on at the Hesston Steam Museum, located
in northwest Indiana near the towns of Michigan City Indiana, and nearby New Buffalo
Michigan just across the nearby Michigan State line.
This is a working model of an American steam train from the 1870's Victorian
era. The locomotive I believe, is a Baltimore & Ohio Railroad prototype. The
wooden open platform passenger car adds a very nice touch.
For more information, contact the Hesston Steam Museum at www.hesston.org
Westbound Belt Railway of Chicago transfer train approaching the South Kedzie Avenue overpass bridge. Chicago Illinois USA. August 1987.
I took this photo facing east on the South Kedzie Avenue overpass bridge at approximately what would be West 75th Street. A westbound Belt Railway of Chicago transfer train being pulled by two EMD SW 1500 yard switchers, are heading to
nearby Hayford Junction, and the Belt Railway of Chicago Clearing Yard in south
suburban Bedford Park Illinois. Notice the lead unit still wearing it's 1976
era American Bicentenial color scheme.
Eastbound BNSF Railway unit coal trainpassing underneath the Congress Park overhead block signal bridge. Brookfield Illinois USA. December 2006.
I took this photo on a surprisingly mild temperatured December morning
in the year of 2006. An eastbound BNSF Railway unit coal train enroute
to Chicago Illinois, is seen passing underneath the new Congress Park
overhead block signal bridge at the Prairie Avenue railroad crossing.
The train is passing through west suburban Brookfield Illinois.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Chicago's famous Connie's Pizza in the Bridgeport neighborhood. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2008.
Hi everyone!
welcome aboard the Friday edition of Eddie's Railfan Page.
Seen here in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood on the near southside, just west of downtown Chicago Illinois, is a local Chicago restaurant legend "Connie's Pizza".
Connie's is located at South Archer and Normal Avenue's, and has been in business on the southside Bridgeport neighborhood since 1963. The origianl location was on West 26th Street, a few blocks east of South Halsted Street. I ate there at this location many times with My family during the late 1970's and early 1980's.
Around 1983 or so, Connie's went "Big" and soon franchised their popular Pizza restaurant. They now market frozen pizza's in grocery stores, and their pizza slices are sold in the concession stands of many local Chicago sporting events today.
They moved to their current location in a "New" building during the early 1980's, that was built to look like an old brick factory. ( It was a junk yard originally at this location.)
Connie's Pizza is a proud institution in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood today.
Station platform sign at the Metra Western Avenue station. Chicago Illinois USA. October 2006.
Seen here on the westbound platform on the northside of the station, is this metal sign indicating that this is the Western Avenue station.This is a very busy Metra comuter rail station located just west of downtown Chicago Illinois, and is adjacent to two Metra coach yard facilities. This is located near Chicago's Ukranian Village neighborhood.
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