In loving memory of My cousin Richard Horvath. 1955 - 2008.

Tradgedy has struck here at Eddie's Railfan Page.
Today, at 1:55 AM , My Cousin Richard Horvath passed away at Christ Hospital
in southwest suburban Oak Lawn Illinois from massive injuries recieved from
a hit and run accident. My Cousin Richard was believed to be riding home from his
3rd shift job in Bedford Park Illinois on His bicycle, when he was hit and run by a speeding
motorist in Burbank Illinois. His sudden and untimely passing caught all of his
family and friends off guard. I was just talking to him last week on the telephone.

Richard was an avid photographer,he enjoyed cooking, and was a big fan of the
1960's Brittish Invasion pop music group The Beatles. While He enjoyed all
of the members of The Beatles, He was mainly a fan of John Lennon. ( 1940-1980.)
Richard also enjoyed the Rolling Stones, Led Zeplin and several other Rock
and Roll music acts from the 1960's and 70's.

Richard was more than just a Cousin to Me.
He was also a best friend and an older Brother figure as well.

While not a Railfan himself, My cousin Richard grew up in Chicago's Ashburn
neighborhood just south of Hayford Junction. He lived one block east of the
Grand Trunk Western Railroad mainline on West 80th Place near South Saint Louis
Avenue, on Chicago's southwest side near the Ford City Shopping Center.

Although Richard was never married, He leaves behind a Brother, several Family
members and friends. His sense of humor and loving heart will be greatly missed.

Rest in peace Rich.

Thank You for all those happy memorys growing up with You.

Eddie K.

Southbound GTW train with a caboose. Hayford Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. December 1988.

I took this photo on a December 1988 visit to Hayford Junction at west 75th Street and South Central Park Avenue. Already a rare sight and gone on most railroads by this time, I was fortunate enough to capture this southbound Grand Trunk Western freight train with a caboose on the interchange connection at Hayford Junction.
My Cousin Richard lived near here.

1960's era Chicago Police car.

Hello everyone!
Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page.
Todays posting is going out in honor of Leomemorial AKA Renee, one of My regular readers and supporters of Eddie's Railfan Page from Chicago's southwest side. Leomemorial has an avid interest in anything Police or Law Enforement connected, and I thought that this picture would be more than appropriate. This photo, is part of a display inside the concourse at Chicago's Navy Pier promoting law enforcement. I grew up in Chicago during the 1960's and 70's, and can recall seeing these police cars with their single rotating Mars light on the roof, and that unique blue and white paint sceme with the star logo on the front door. Their sirens were also unique, as I vaguely remember that they made a sound that went something like
Mum-Mum-Mum-Mum-Mum. I believe that this may have been a Pulsater Siren.

Renee, I hope that You enjoyed seeing this one today.

Thank You.
Eddie K.

Switching the south hump at the Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Corwith Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. April 1984.

One of My all time favorite railroad photographs I had taken during the 1980's in the city of Chicago Illinois, was this one on Chicago's southwest side. I took this photograph on a lovely Springtime afternoon, way back in April of the year 1984. A rebuilt early 1950's era EMD model GP-9 roadswitcher and a slug unit, are seen working a cut of cars on the south hump at the Santa Fe's Corwith Yard.

Westbound Metra evening commuter local approaching the Metra Brookfield commuter rail station. Brookfield Illinois USA. July 2008.

I took this photo one evening in July of 2008, in west suburban Brookfield Illinois. A westbound commuter local enroute to Aurora Illinois, is seen slowing down for the upcoming station stop here at the Brookfield commuter rail station on Prairie Avenue.

Soo line and Canadian Pacific covered hopper cars. Chicago Illinois USA. November 2006.

I took this photo on an overcast November day in the year of 2006. Seen here looking south from the adjacent Metra Hanson Park commuter flagstop depot at North Central Avenue, are several covered grain hoppers with markings from the former Soo Line Railroad, and succesor railroad Canadian Pacific. This train was waiting on a hold order on the adjacent freight bypass tracks just south of the depot.

Eastbound CSX Transportation Co intermodal train. Hayford Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. March 2007.

I took this photo one evening after work, in March of 2007. An eastbound CSX intermodal train has just departed the nearby Belt Railway of Chicago Clearing Yard, and is now passing through Hayford Junction on Chicago's southwest side. Hayford Junction is located at west 75th Street and South Central Park Avenue in Chicago's Ashburn neighborhood near the Ford City shopping center.

Southbound Norfolk Southern transfer train waiting on a hold order. Chicago Illinois USA. October 2006.

I took this photo after work one day, in October of 2006 on Chicago's west side.
A southbound Norfolk Southern transfer train, is seen waiting on a hold order on
the Belt Railway of Chicago's north /south trunk line just south of West Madison Street.

Visiting BNSF Railway locomotive. The Union Pacific M-19A Diesel Shop. Chicago Illinois USA. October 2006.

One may never know what they can find when photographing a Chicago railroad locomotive servicing terminal on any given day. I photogrphed this foreign
BNSF Railway unit idling onthe ready tracks north of West Kinzie Street, at
the Union Pacific ex Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad M-19A Diesel Shops.

A sign of future things to come in west suburban Cicero Illinois. September 2008.

I took this photo on the east side of South Cicero Avenue just south of the intersection at west 31st street. this was the site of the Bell Air Drive In Movie Theatre wich had closed in 1999. The site and other parts of Cicero are currently undergoing an economic renewal. Cicero Illinois has long been an economically challenged west suburban town just outside of the city of Chicago. Things look like they are about to change soon.

The former site of the Bell Air Drive In Movie Theatre. Cicero Illinois USA. September 2008.

I took this photo looking south from the adjacent west 31st Street overpass bridge. This is the site of the abandoned Bell Air Drive In Movie Theatre in West suburban Cicero Illinois. Seen here are several pieces of heavy machinery levaling the tall man made hills that surrounded the outside perimeter of the property. These were put in during later years, to keep people on the bridge sidewalks and slow moving automobiles from seeing a free movie. The Bell Air Drive In Movie Theatre closed for good in the year of 1999.

Chicago Burlington & Quincy Railroad # 9900 the 1934 built Pioneer Zephyr. The Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. August 1984.

Seen here in it's original display location outdoors in the museum's backyard, is the famous Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad # 9900. This streamlined passenger train was built in 1934, and was in service until 1960. It was donated to the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry shortly after it's retirement.

Hopper cars in transit at sunset. Hawthorne Junction. Chicago / Cicero Illinois. September 2008.

I took this photograph around sunset one evening, at Hawthorne Junction located at the west suburban border of Cicero Illinois. This southbound freight train was stopped on a hold order at the Belt Railway of Chicago / Canadian National crosstracks. The late day sun highlights the details on the cars ends.

Southbound CSX Transportation Co light engine movement. Hawthorne Junction. Chicago / Cicero Illinois USA. September 2008.

I took this photograph one afternoon in September of 2008, at the Chicago city limits. A southbound CSX Trabsportation Co EMD model SD 40-2 roadswitcher, is seen passing an empty coal train at Hawthorne Junction. The light engine movemet may have came from the nearby West 16th Street industrial branch in west suburban Cicero Illinois after finishing it's switching chores on the factory spurs. It is now heading back to Clearing Yard over the Belt Railway of Chicago.

Northbound Metra commuter local arriving at the Forest Glen commuter flagstop depot. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo on a cold but sunny winter afternoon, in January of 2007. A northbound Metra commuter local enroute to Fox Lake Illinois, is seen arriving at the elevated Forest Glen flagstop depot at North Elston Avenue.

Eastbound Canadian National freight train waiting on a hold order. Chicago Illinois USA. September 2008.

I took this photograph one afternoon in September of 2008. We are looking south toward the intersection of South Clark Street and west Cermak Road just south of downtown Chicago Illinois. The train is more than likely waiting for clearance at nearby 21st Street junction. This is located just north of Chicago's Chinatown neighborhood community. Notice the former Illinois central locomotive in the head end consist.

The May 1990 Central Electric Railfan Association fantrip over the Metra electric lines. University Park Illinois.

I took this photograph at the Metra University Park station and terminal near Monee Illinois. The occasion was a May 1990 fantrip charter I had ridden on with a group known as the Central Electric Railfan Association. We had traveled over all three lines of the former Illinois Central electric commuter lines. This was the newest of the lines wich had opened during the late 1970's. The Illinois Central electric lines were originally steam powered, and were electrified in 1926.

The West 30th Street railroad crossing on the Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe's former Illinois Northern RR branchline. Chicago Illinois. October 1988.

I took this photo looking westbound from the intersection at South Kedzie Avenue and west 30th Street, in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood on the near southwest side of the city. This is the west 30th Street railroad crossing on what was known as the Santa Fe's I.N branchline. Prior to 1972, the Illlinois Northern was a 6 mile industrial shortline railroad owned by the Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe, and International Harvester Corporation. After International Harvester left Chicago, and the other partnership owners gradually left or downsized their operations, the Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad bought the operation out, and operated as such until the 1995 merger that created todays BNSF Railway. The BNSF operated this line until the year of 2000, when it was sold to DRS Rail Services. When I took this photograph, the line still operated between the Santa Fe Corwith Yard and Western Avenue. The line was operated Monday to Friday every week with a switching local, and was maintained by the A,T & S,F. Today, the line is only a shadow of it's former self.

Switching the south hump at the A,T & S,F Corwith Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. April 1984.

I took this photo at the former Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Corwith Yard on Chicago's southwest side, in April of 1984. Seen here is a rebuilt early 1950's era EMD model GP-9 roadswitcher and a caboose, doing some switching work at the south hump of Corwith Yard, located above the intersection of South Archer Avenue and west 47th Street, in Chicago's Brighton Park neighborhood. Today, this is now the property of the BNSF Railway, but the old name Corwith Yard has been retained.

The red Kenosha Wisconsin PCC electric streetcar. Kenosha Wisconsin USA. April 2001.

I took this photo on a Springtime visit, to the nearby city of Kenosha Wisconsin located just across the Illinois / Wisconsin State line. Seen here running west along 54th Street, is this 1951 vintage electric streetcar that originally worked in the city of Toronto Ontario Canada. Today, it is refurbished, Repainted, and working in downtown Kenosha Wisconsin near the city's Lakefront and Harbor area. It is worth a visit to see and ride a vintage streetcar in an urban setting instead of just a museum one all the time.

Inside Chicago's 1911 built NorthWestern Station. ( Gone.) January 1984.

I took this photo in downtown Chicago Illinois, at the former site of NorthWestern Station on West Madison Street on the western outskirts of downtown Chicago Illinois.
The old 1911 built train station was in it's last months of operation as NorthWestern Station, and the old concourse building would be demolished during the summer months of 1984. The main building was replaced with a tall glass skyscraper office building originally known as the NorthWestern Atrium Center. After the merger and acquisition of the Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad by the Union Pacific in 1998, the building was renamed to The Richard B. Ogilvie Transportation center.

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

I took this photo of a southbound Canadian National freight train, at the Chicago city limits at the border of west suburban Cicero illinois. A CN transfer train heads southbound over the Belt Railway of Chicago tracks through Hawthorne Junction. The train is enroute to the huge Belt Railway of Chicago Clearing Yard in Bedford Park Illinois on a hot summer afternoon.

Saint Clair of Montifalco Catholic Parish summer carnival. Chicago Illinois USA. June 1987.

One of My all time favorite categories of happy memorys I have experienced growing up on the southwest side of Chicago, was the many annual neighborhood summer carnivals I attended. I took this photo in early june of 1987, at the Saint Clair of Montifalco Catholic Parish summer carnival. This carnival was held once a year, on the parish property at west 54th Street and South Washtenaw Avenue in Chicago's Gage Park neighborhood. It was always a happy and festive occasion just going there.
Definately a very happy summer memory.

Southbound Metra commuter local departing the Forest Glen flagstop depot. Chicago Illinois USA. June 2007.

I took this photo on a hot summer afternoon in June of 2007, on Chicago's far northwest side. A Metra commuter local enroute to Chicago Union Station, throws off some smoke as it departs the Forest Glen commuter rail flagstop depot near North Elston Avenue.

My Chicagoland Railfan Photo Slideshow has been canceled!

Due to circumstances beyond My control, the Chicagoland Railfan Photo Slideshow that I was scheduled to host this upcoming Tuesday night, September 23rd at the Eisenhower Public Library, 4613 North Oketo Avenue in Harwood Heights Illinois, has officially been canceled. I will attempt to reschedual this event at a later time when My situation is much better for doing as such.

Thank You.
Eddie K.

Preserved Chicago & Northwestern Railroad 1907 built steam locmotive # 1385. The July 1983 West Chicago Illinois Railroad Days Celebration.

The July 1983 West Chicago Railroad Days Festival,had a special mechanical guest
visitor. Seen here, is coal burning ALCO ( American Locomotive Company) steam
locomotive # 1385 from the Mid Continent Railroad Museum in North Freedom -
Wisconsin, near the town of Baraboo. This locomotive was built in 1907 for
the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. It ended it's working service life during
the mid 1950's, switching Ore cars in Escanaba Michigan.

Westbound BNSF Railway empty unit coal train. Brookfield Illinois USA. July 2008.

I took this photo around sunset, in west suburban Brookfield Illinois.
Seen here at the Prairie Avenue railroad crossing, we find a speeding
westbound BNSF Railway unit coal train heading back to the large strip
mines in the State of Wyoming.

The Metra, Hanson Park commuter rail flagstop depot. Chicago Illinois USA. October 2006.

this quaint little flagstop shelter depot, is located below the west side of the North Central Avenue overpass bridge near Grand avenue on Chicago's northside.
This depot serves Metra local commuter trains on the Canadian Pacific ex Milwaukee
Road mainline.

My Chicagoland Railfan Photo Slideshow has been Canceled!

Due to employment scheduling circumstances beyond My control...
The Chicagoland Railfan Photo Slideshow that was recently scheduled
for Tuesday night, September 23rd 2008 at the Eisenhower Public
Library, 4613 North Oketo Avenue in Harwood Heights Illinois from 7:00
to 8: 30 PM Has been Canceled.

Sorry for the sudden inconvenience, I will attempt to reschedule
this presentation at a later date.

Thank You.
Eddie K

The recently remodeled KFC restaurant on North Harlem Avenue. Chicago Illinois USA. July 2008.

I took this photo one evening in July of 2008 south of the intersection of
North Harlem Avenue and West Irving Park Road. This old Kentucky Fried Chicken
fast food restaurant, was completely remodeled in June and July of 2008.
The new colors replaced an older plain white color scheme. These are the
New Image KFC markings and architecture found today.

The abandoned Grand Trunk Western Elsdon Roundhouse located at West 49th Street and South Kedzie Avenue. (Gone.) Chicago Illinois USA. December 1984.

This photo was taken in December of 1984, at the now abandoned site of the
Grand Trunk Western Railroad Elsdon Roundhouse at West 49th Street and South
Kedzie Avenue, in Chicago's Elsdon neighborhood. This 1914 built locomotive
facility was closed in October of 1983, and demolished in the winter of 1987.
Today, this is the site of a retail strip mall.

Former Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe covered hopper. Franklin Park Illinois USA. May 2008.

For many years, I was a big fan of the Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. I always enjoyed seeing their equipment and unique color schemes every chance I
had gotten. The Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe merged with the Burlington Northern
in 1995, and became todays BNSF Railway. Although I still miss My old favorite
A,T & S,F....leftover unrepainted pieces of it show up occasionally. I spotted
this former A,T&,S,F covered hopper on a westbound Canadian Pacific transfer
train entering Franklin Park Illinois in May of 2008. It was good to see these
old favorite markings again.

Northbound Canadian National freight train waiting on a hold order. Schiller Park Illinois USA. October 2007.

I took this photo on a bright and sunny October morning in 2007.
Looking up from the sidewalk at the Lawrence Avenue viaduct, we
see a northbound Canadian National freight train waiting on a
hold order. Notice the former Wisconsin Central unit in the
locomotive consist.

Eastbound Metra commuter local arriving in Brookfield Illinois. July 2008.

I took this photo on a pleasant summer evening in July of 2008.
Sunset is upon west suburban Brookfield Illinois, as a Metra
commuter local enroute to Chicago Union Station, arrives at
the Metra Brookfield commuter rail station at Prairie Avenue
in a summer twilight setting.

A lovely Autum morning in west suburban La Grange Illinois. October 2007.

I took this lovely seasonal photograph one morning in October of 2007, in west suburban La Grange Illinois. This view was photographed looing east on Hillgrove Avenue, near the Metra Stone Avenue commuter rail station. Autum mornings in the pleasant and upscale village of La Grange Illinois, look grand in all the colorful Autum foliage that can be found everywhere around town.

Spotting cars on the industrial spur sidings. Bensenville Illinois USA. September 2007.

I spotted this Canadian Pacific switching local at work one day, in September of 2007. Seen here just west of the railroad crossing on Wolf Road near Green Street, is a unit still wearing pre 1990 colors and markings from predecesor railroad Soo Line.

Westbound Chicago Transit Authority Yellow Line / Skokie swift train at the Kostner Avenue railroad crossing. Skokie Illinois USA. August 2008.

I took this photo one summer afternoon in August of 2008. A Chicago Transit Authority Yellow Line / Skokie Swift train is photographed speeding past at the Kostner Avenue railroad crossing in north suburban Skokie Illinois. This line was opened in April of 1964, utilizing a small portion of the bankrupt and abandoned Chicago, North Shore & milwaukee Railroad's Skokie Valley Mainline.

Conrail switching local at work. Chicago Illinois USA. October 1983.

I took this photo looking north from the Grand Trunk Western Elsdon Yard elevated embankment. A Conrail switching local, is seen spotting boxcars on the many tightly curved and lightly railed spur track factory sidings on West 48th Street near South Kedzie Avenue. This network of sidings was taken out of service and dismantled around early 1986. Today, the Chicago Transit Authority's Orange Line rapid transit to Midway Airport passes over this site. The spur track sidings are gone, but the factorys are still there, but are beeing serviced by trucks.

Southbound Belt Railway of Chicago maintenace truck and crewmember. 55th Street Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo one cold winter morning at 55th Street junction near Chicago's Midway Airport. A Belt Railway of Chicago maintenance department worker, is seen approaching the BRC crosstracks east of South Cicero Avenue, at 55th Street Junction. Railroad infrustructure maintenace is a year round operation. 55th Street Junction is a very special place for Me, as I use to go train spotting there after school, while I was attending nearby Curie High School from 1977 to 1981.
Unfortunately...I didn't own My own camera yet back then.

Looking east inside the Canadian National ex Illinois Central Crawford Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. June 2008.

I took this photo on location at the CN Crawford Yard at the Chicago city limits, one hot summer afternoon in June of 2008. Crawford Yard is a small former Illinois Central yard, located on Chicago's near southwest side at West 33rd Street and South Kostner Avenue, just east of the border at west suburban Cicero Illinois. There was not an ounce of yard switching activity at the time of My visit, but there was a nice variety of freight cars to be found on these light railed sidings.

A speeding westbound Metra express commuter train. Cicero Illinois USA. September 2007.

I took this photo after work one afternoon in September of 2007. A westbound Metra express commuter train enroute to Aurora Illinois, is seen literally Flying through the Metra commuter rail station, in immediate west suburban Cicero Illinois.

A former Denver & Rio Grande Western EMD model SD 45T roadswitcher acquired through merger. The Union Pacific M-19A Diesel shop in Chicago IL. 2006.

I took this photo one afternoon in October of 2006. Seen here just north of West Kinzie Street, is a former denver & Rio Grande western Railroad EMD model SD 45T roadswitcher. This locomotive, a yellow Union Pacific locomotive, and several Metra commuter rail service locomotives are seen here on the ready tracks. This is the Union Pacific ex Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad M-19A Diesel Shop, located at 400 North Pulaski Road in Chicago Illinois.

Outbound CTA Brown line train leaving the North Kimball Avenue terminal. Chicago Illinois USA. October 2003.

I took this photo one overcast morning, in October of 2003. A CTA Brown line rapid transit train is viewed from the sidewalk on the west side of the North Kimball Avenue Brown line terminal near West Lawrence Avenue, as it departs for another round trip to downtown Chicago Illinois. In past years, the CTA Brown line was fprmerly known as the Ravenswood Elevated line.

Your host and photographer Eddie K practicing his accoustic guitar at home in April of 1989.

Hi everyone!
Here I am, a 27 year old future host of Eddie's Railfan Page enjouing
one of My other favorite hobbies / past times in 1989. I do occasionally
pick up the guitar and practice today. I enjoy playing rock and roll oldies,
some country, R&B and standards. I absolutely enjoy playing songs by old
childhood favorite groups I liked such as -Three Dog Night -The Beatles -
Credence Clearwater Revival -The Eagles -The Doobie Brothers -Warren Zevon
and Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band. I also enjoy playing 1980's favorites
such as John Mellancamp -the Romantics -Julian Lennon -and others.

Music is a wonderful relaxation.

Westbound NS / BNSF speeding empty unit coal train. La Grange Illinois USA. May 2007.

I took this photo after work one day after work, in May of 2007. We are at the Stone Avenue Metra commuter rail station, in west suburban La Grange Illinois. With a Norfolk Southern Railroad diesel locomotive in the lead, this BNSF Railway empty unit coal train is viewed speeding through La Grange Illinois enroute to the strip mines in the State of Wyoming.

Northbound Canadian Pacific intermodal train with a former Soo Line caboose on the rear. Hawthorne Junction. Chicago / Cicero Illinois USA. March 2007

I took this photo after work one afternoon in March of 2007. Cabooses are "Rare" sights on freight trains these days, let alone on an intermodal container train at that! Wow!
This Canadian Pacific intermodal transfer, was viewed heading northbound over the Belt Railway of Chicago trunk line at Hawthorne Junction on the Cicero border.

Eastbound Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad freight train. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. May 2008.

I listed this photo scene in My Flickr photo pages as a Canadian Pacific freight train with former Iowa, Chicago & Eastern locomotives up front. I heard that the Canadian Pacific was in the process of merging with the Iowa, Chicago & Eastern in 2007, and I thought that they already had. If anybody has the correct information, I would greatly appreciate it.

Just in case they didn't merge...Lets just say that an eastbound Iowa, Chicago & Eastern freight train, was seen passing the 73rd Avenue railroad crossing in Elmwood Park Illinois, on a partly cloudy Sunday afternoon in May of 2008.

The Metra commuter rail depot in Medinah Illinois. September 2007.

This quaint little train depot, is located just north of Irving Park Road / Illinois U.S Route # 18, on Medinah Road in the quaint and tiny far western suburb of Medinah Illinois. The town of Medinah is located between Roselle and Itaska illinois, along the Metra / Canadian Pacific ex Milwaukee Road commuter mainline to Elgin Illinois.

Twilight time in Elmwood Park. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. September 2007.

The very last rays of daylight are fading away, and soon the streetlights like this one along Grand Avenue will be lighting up for their nightly ritual. This end of the day seen captures a peaceful mood as another day comes to a close in the greater Chicagoland Area.

Indiana Harbor Belt industrial switching local backing up. Melrose Park Illinois USA. October 2007.

I was definately in the right place and right time with My camera, when I had the pleasure of spotting the rarely seen Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad switching local slowly passing through Melrose Park Illinois. We are looking east at the Corning Avenue railroad crossing alongside Armitage Street, in northwest suburban Melrose Park Illinois. Out of view to the left, was a flagman stopping all vechicle traffic at the many industrial driveway entrances along the branchline. Up on the open platform, we see the conductor relaying commands to the locomotive engineer via a two way hand held radio. It was a very slow moving constant stop and go operation. The short train is heading to other industries west of Manheim Road / Illinois U.S Route # 12 and # 45 in Melrose Park Illinois on a lovely Autum afternoon.