Lighted trees for the Christmas Holidays near the Glenview Metra commuter rail station. Glenview Illinois USA. December 2009.

Hello everyone!

Happy New Years Eve from Eddie's Railfan Page!

I took this photo in downtown north suburban Glenview Illinois. These lighted trees were photographed alongside the Metra and Amtrak used train station in Glenview.

Every year the Glenview Illinois Department of Public Works, lights up the trees in this area in a very lovely and festive way.

Digital Live Sound Video: Southbound Metra local passing through a winter wonderland setting. Northbrook Illinois USA. December 2009.

Removing the neon tubes and lightbulbs from the old Kiddieland Amusement Park sign. Melrose Park Illinois. Thursday, December 31st 2009.

I was passing by the old site of Chicago's kiddieland Amusement Park in near northwest suburban Melrose Park Illinois earlier today around 10:00 AM this morning.

Kiddieland Amusement Park closed for good on Sunday, September 27th 2009 after 81 years in operation. Seen here is a crew from D.M.D Demolition Contractors removing the neon tubes and lightbulbs from the old sign.

Kiddieland's closing was a sad memory for many local Chicagoans in 2009.

The 1888 built Grand Trunk Western Railroad Elsdon depot on West 51st Street. (Gone.) Chicago Illinois USA. October 1983.

An all time favorite historic Chicago railroad photo subject here at Eddie;s Railfan Page, was the old 1888 built two story Elsdon train station that stood on West 51st Street east of South Lawndale Avenue in Chicago's Elsdon neighborhood.

Here it is in it's last week of service prior to demolition, at the then closing Grand Trunk Western Railroad Elsdon Yard site in October of 1983.

A special thank You from Your host and photographer Eddie K.

Hello once again everyone!

This is Eddie K, Your host and photographer here at Eddie's Railfan Page.

2009 has been a very good year here at My Chicago area transportation blogsite, and I would like to extend a special thanks to the many readers who have supported this blogsite, as well as to those who have recently discoverd Eddie's Railfan Page.

Thank You for all the wonderful E-Mail comments and words of support.

Happy New Year everyone!
See You in 2010.

Eddie K.

Maintaining the overhead trolley wire. The Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois USA. Friday, July 3rd 2009.

One of the nice things about visiting an operating electric railway museum, are being there with a camera in hand to capture those rare and sometimes unplanned photos of museum support operations.

A crew from the IRM electrical department, is viewed performing repairs to the overhead trolley wire on the museum's mainline. Using vintage maintenance equipment from interurban railroading's past, this view easilly can give one an understanding of how electric railroad infrastructure was maintained 60 to 70 years ago or so.

Heck, these pieces of vintage non revenue equipment...outlived their own railroads that they had worked for originally. They are performing the same kind of work that they were originally designed for in 2009.

Digital Live Sound Video: Pusher locomotives in the flatlands of Chicago? Franklin Park Illinois USA. December 2009.

I photographed this digital live sound video during My lunch break one morning, in December of 2009.

These 3 BNSF Railway locomotives working hard shoving on the rear end of this eastbound empty unit coal train, is normally one associates with mountain railroading, when heavy loads need an assisit going upgrade, or braking assistance downgrade.

This unique video was photographed from the observation porch of preserved historic tower B-12 in near northwest suburban Franklin Park Illinois. For some odd reason or another, I have witnessed both loaded and empty unit coal trains traveling around the windy city with as many as one or more helper locomotives on the rear. This may be possibly done to facilitate switching at the end of the line.

J.I Case front end loader. Northbrook Illinois USA. December 2009.

Trains and buses aren't the only subject You will find a photo posting of here at Eddie's Railfan Page. Construction equipment deserves a spot as well.

I took this photo in the rear recieving parking lot of a large Costco store in north suburban Northbrook Illinois.

Every winter at any given time, the greater Chicagoland area has become well known for those occasional and sometimes frustrating Lake Effect Snow Storms. Large parking lots and main roadways are especially hard hit during these times.

This J.I Case front end loader tractor, stands by at the ready. Out of view to the left, is a large and very wide front snow plow attatchment. This particular heavy machine, is being rented or leased from a Hertz equipment rental agency.

Eastbound Illinois Central Gulf transfer train. Chicago Illinois USA. January 1986.

The nice thing about being a railfan photographer since the early 1980's for Myself is, being able to find some of My early photos in the archives I had taken of now fallen flag railroads around Chicago.

I took this photo back in January of 1986.

This Illinois Central Gulf transfer freight train is viewed east of Hayford Junction traveling over the Belt Railway of Chicago. The photo location is alongside the Nabisco Cookie Factory, just west of the South Kedzie Avenue overpass bridge at approximately West 75th Street.

Westbound Metra local stopping at the Western Avenue station. Chicago Illinois USA. December 2006.

I took this photo on a dry and overcast December morning in 2006.

Seen here is a westbound Metra local commuter train, arriving at the former Milwaukee Road commuter train station at Western Avenue near West Hubbard Street.

The CTA / Pace Rosemont transfer station on River Road. Rosemont Illinois USA. December 2009.

Hello everyone!

Seasons Greetings from Eddie's Railfan Page.

Welcome aboard the final "Bus Day Edition" of Eddie's Railfan Page for 2009.
2009 has been a very special year for Me here at My Chicago area transportation blog site, with all the many wonderful and informative comments I have recieved from all of You. I wish to extend a special thank You for everyone for all the kind words and support.

I took this photo at work one recent morning in December of 2009.
One of My many regular destinations for handicapped passenger pick ups and drop offs, is the large CTA / Pace Rosemont Transfer Station near Chicago's O'Hare International Airport in suburban Rosemeont Illinois. This is a very busy transfer point for handicapped and ambulatory passengers alike.

This terminal is also a transfer point for the adjacent Chicago Transit Authority blue line rapid transit route as well. Between the adjacent Illinois U.S Route I-90 Kennedy Expressway, the CTA blue line, the many arriving and departing jet planes at nearby O'Hare Airport and the many idling buses here at the terminal on River Road....this can be one very noisy location.

See You in 2010 with more train and bus photo postings here at Eddie's Railfan Page.

Thanks everyone!

Eddie K.

Eastbound Pace bus. Highland Park Illinois USA. January 2009.

I took this photo one bitterly cold winter afternoon, in January of 2009.

We are in north suburban Highland Park Illinois. This little blue suburban Pace bus, is viewed heading underneath the Metra / Union Pacific Railroad northline railroad viaduct.

The large Greyhound Bus Company's Chicago maintenance facility. Chicago Illinois USA. Oct 2006.

I took this photo one morning back in October of 2006.

Seen here looking north on North Halsted Street near the intersection at West Chicago Avenue, is the large regional Greyhound Bus Company Chicago Maintenance Facility. This facility is located along the north branch of the Chicago River, just west of downtown Chicago Illinois.

The CTA bus terminal loop at South Kedzie Avenue and West 63rd Place. Chicago Illinois USA. December 1985.

I took this photo on an overcast December day way back in the year of 1985.

Seen here is the Chicago Transit Authority bus terminal loop located at South Kedzie Avenue and West 63rd Place in Chicago's Marquette Park neighborhood. This was the south terminal for the CTA Route # 52 Kedzie / California Avenue bus line, and the transfer point for the CTA Route # 52A South Kedzie Avenue line.

Eastbound CTA wrecker truck on West Chicago Avenue. Chicago Illinois USA. October 2006.

I took this photo on a lovely Autum afternoon back in October of 2006.

I spotted this red Chicago Transit Authority wrecker tow truck, heading eastbound on West Chicago Avenue just east of the intersection at North Austin Avenue. This is an example of the many types of service vechicles used by a transit agency when there are those occasional equipment failures. These trucks and their mechnaics come to the rescue.

Southbound Modified International school bus. Chicago Illinois USA. November 2007.

I took this photo looking north on Sheridan Road near West Albion Avenue, in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood.

This bus was moving very quickly at the time, and I just barely caught this image with My camera. Seen here heading southbound on North Sheridan Road, is a modified International / Navistar school bus being used in shuttle bus service for the nearby Loyola University.

Eastbound CTA Route # 77 Belmont Avenue bus departing the west terminal. River Grove Illinois USA. April 2007.

I took this photo on a lovely Springtime morning back in April of 2007.

An eastbound Chicago Transit Authority Route # 77 Belmont Avenue bus, is viewed departing from the west terminal turloop on West Belmont and North Cumberland Avenues in near northwest suburban River Grove Illinois. Prior to January of 1973, this terminal was used for CTA electric powered trolley buses.

Eastbound CTA 1985 M.A.N transit bus on West 111th Street. Chicago Illinois USA. August 1990.

I took this photo during one of My many visits to Chicago's Mount Greenwood neighborhood on West 111th Street.

This Chicago Transit Authority 1985 M.A.N 40 foot transit bus had just departed from the nearby West 111th Street bus terminal loop at West 111th Street and South Sprngfield Avenue, and is now heading eastbound on West 111th Street on a partly sunny August afternoon back in the year of 1990.

These buses were manufactured in the European nation formerly known as West Germany back in 1985. Due to their box like shape, many local Chicago area bus enthusiasts refered to them as "Bricks". I used to call them "German Shoe Boxes". This two tone green and off white was the original color scheme they wore upon delivery.

While not big on body style, these buses were quiete utilitarian and functional.

Silent Digital Video: Northbound Pace 2002 Orion low floor transit bus. Glenview Illinois USA. Feb 2008.

I photographed this silent digital video one snow covered winter morning, back in Febuary of 2008. Departing from the Glenview Metra commuter rail station, We see a northbound Pace 2002 Orion low floor transit bus on Lehigh Avenue.

Winter reflections. Park Ridge Illinois USA. December 2009.

I took this photo at work one morning in early December of 2009.

I was just climbing out of the operators cab on First Transit 2008 Ford paratransit bus # 5157 to assist at a passenger pick up address in near northwest suburban Park Ridge Illinois. Looking back from the drivers door, We spot the reflections of the winter landscape in the windows and sides of the bus.

This view is looking north on Clifton Avenue just north of the intersection at Touhy Avenue.

This is the final bus day photograph of 2009 here at Eddie's Railfan Page.
See You in 2010 with more train and bus photos here at My Chicago area transportation blog site.

Thank You for a great year.

Eddie K.

Preserved Chicago Gravel Company steam locomotive # 18 and display train. Bensenville Illinois USA. Feb 2008.

I took this photo in early Febuary of 2008. Seen here after a heavy lake effect snowstorm had dumped heavy accumulations around the greater Chicagoland area, is preserved Chicago Gravel Company 1922 Alco built 0 -6-0 steam locomotive # 18 and display train at Veterans Park in the town of Bensenville Illinois.

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

I took this photo one snow covered December morning back in 2007.

Seen here heading eastbound in a Christmas card setting from adjacent Commons Park in west suburban North Riverside Illinois, is an eastbound Canadian National transfer train traveling over the former Illinois Central Railroad's Iowa Division Mainline.

The preserved Chicago Gtrat Western RR Elmhurst depot. Elmhurst Illinois USA. November 2006.

A locally preserved historic artifact from railroadings past in the greater Chicagoland area, is this preserved wooden steam era passenger depot from the fallen flag railroad Chicago Great Western.

This depot is located in a city park just east of the intersection of York and Valette Streets in west suburban Elmhurst Illinois.

Eastbound BNSF Railway freight train passing the Metra station. Brookfield Illinois USA. November 2007.

I took this photo on a cold and rainy morning back in November of 2007.

A commuter passenger waiting for the westbound Metra local enroute to Aurora Illinois. seeks shelter during a cold rain shower at the Metra Brookfield commuter rail station at Prairie Avenue,while an eastbound BNSF Railway freight train passes through in the background.

Indiana Harbor Belt RR bay window caboose at the IHB Argo Yard. Summit Illinois USA. October 2006.

I took this photo one overcast Autum morning back in October of 2006.

On the rear of a northbound Indiana Harbor Belt local freight train, We see a bay windiw caboose. This photograph was taken at the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad Argo Yard in southwest suburban Summit Illinois.

Northbound Iowa, Chicago & Eastern RR transfer train passing through Hawthorne Junction. Chicago / Cicero Illinois. January 2007.

I took this photo on a sunny but very blustery cold winter morning back in January of 2007. After recieving clearance from the dispatcher, a northbound Iowa, Chicago & Eastern transfer freight train is viewed passing through Hawthorne Junction at the Cicero border. This train is traveling northbound over the Belt Railway of Chicago.

I took this photo under very bright and sunny conditions, but with a sharp wind blowing out of the west. Chicago winter railroading, gotta love it.

Not a store security guard, but rather a festive holiday display at the Weiss Ace Hardware. Glenview Illinois. December 2009.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Merry Christmas from Eddie's Railfan Page.

Yes friends, it is Christmas time once again here in the windy city and it's many surrounding communities. I took this photo one day at the front door of the weiss Ace Hardware store in north suburban Glenview Illinois.

For many years, wooden toy soldiers have always been a festive and very seasonal reminder of the Christmas holiday season. This large mock up figurine is on display at the Weiss Ace Hardware store on Waukegan Road, in north suburban Glenview Illinois.

Digital Live Sound Video: Northbound Amtrak Hiawatha train in a Christmas card setting. Northbrook Illinois USA. December 2009.

I photographed this unique digital live sound video yesterday during My lunch break, in nearby north suburban Northbrook Illinois.

We are in the rear recieving area parking lot of a large Costco store, located just north of Willow Road in north suburban Northbrook Illinois. With snow covered man made hilly landscape in the background, a speeding northbound Amtrak Hiawatha regional passenger train enroute to Milwaukee Wisconsin passes through snowy winter landscape reminiscent of holiday Christmas cards.

If You enjoy images of fast trains kicking up snow dust in their wake, then this video is for You.

Happy Holidays from Eddie's Railfan Page.

Thanks

Eddie K.

Westbound Metra morning local arriving at Western Avenue. Chicago Illinois USA. December 2006.

I took this photo one overcast morning in December of 2006.

A westbound Metra morning rush hour local commuter train, is viewed arriving at the former Milwaukee Road commuter train station at Western Avenue.

Northbound Conrail caboose hop at Brighton Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. January 1988.

Not all of Chicago's winter season days are overcast or wet.

I took this photo on a very brightly sunlit January afternoon back in 1988. A northbound Conrail caboose hop is viewed waiting on a hold order to pass through the crosstracks on a day that definately mandated the use of sun glasses outside. It was cold nonetheless but worth the trip.

Preserved early 1900's era Industrial Brownhoist self propelled railroad steam crane. The Hesston Steam Museum. Hesston Indiana USA.

I purchased this black and white picture postcard in the gift shop at the Hesston Steam Museum in northwest Indiana near the Michigan State line close to New Buffalo Michigan.

One of the more unique operating displays that is fired up occasionally, is this early 1900's era coal fired Industrial Brownhoist Company self propelled railroad steam crane. It is used by the museum's own demonstration steam powered saw mill.

For more information on the Hesston Steam Museum, click on the link to the right of Your computer screen or log on to www.hesston.org

Westbound Amtrak train passing through Brighton Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. January 1988.

I took this photo on a cold but dry winter afternoon way back in January of 1988.

We are looking north at the crosstracks at Brighton Junction. Brighton Junction is located on an embankment just west of the intersection of South Archer and Western Avenues on Chicago's near southwest side.

A westbound Amtrak regional passenger train has recieved clearance, and is now passing through the crosstracks. This old fashioned steam era crosstrack Chicago railroad junction, was still having it's train traffic controlled by an operator in a shanty using manual Semaphore signals back in 1988. The old junction was closed in early July of 2007, with the crosstracks and signals being replaced and modernized with satelite communications.

Notice the long gone Campbell Soup factory in the background, with it's unique soup can water tank on the roof.

The Canadian Pacific ex Milwaukee Road railroad crossing on Illinois U.S Route # 68 / Dundee Road. Northbrook Illinois USA. Monday, Nov 30th 2009.

I took this photo during My morning lunch break on Monday, November 30th 2009.

The air was quiete Chilly outside with partly sunny conditions on this November morning in 2009, and I decided to do a little lunch time lineside railfanning in nearby north suburban Northbrook Illinois.

This view is looking east on Dundee Road / Illinois U.S Route # 68, at the railroad crossing that guards the former Milwaukee Road northline wich is today owned by the Canadian Pacific Railroad. Depending on what time You may be in the aea, this is a very busy railroad mainline.

Christmas time on North Broadway Avenue. Chicago Illinois USA. December 2006.

I took this photo one overcast but yet seasonably cheerful December day in 2006.

This lamp post along North Broadway Avenue near West Addison Street in Chicago's Lakeview and adjacent Wriggleyville neighborhoods, help to set a festive tone during the Christmas holiday season here in the windy city.

Merry Christmas from Chicago everyone!

City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation snow plow truck waiting. Chicago Illinois USA. Friday Dec 1st 2006.

I took this photo on the very snowy morning of Froday, December 1st 2006 in the city of Chicago Illinois.

Seen here waiting in the parking lot of a White Hen Pantry convenience store on North Cumberland Avenue, is a City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation Freightliner snow plow truck with a rock salt hopper.

Chicago was being it with an all morning heavy lake effect snowstorm, that lasted in to the early afternoon hours.

Digital Live Sound Video: Southbound CTA yellow line train crossing Niles center Road during a snow storm. Skokie Illinois USA. December 2009.

I photographed this digital live sound video during My morning lunchbreak yesterday.

Seen here is a southbound Chicago Transit Authority Skokie Swift / Yellow line train crossing Niles Center Road in north suburban Skokie Illinois. The snow was falling at the time of My visit. The train is moving slowly as it departs from the nearby Dempster Street terminal, but will soon build up speed.

Northbound BNSF Railway light engine movement returning to Clyde Yard. Hawthorne Junction. Chicago / Cicero Illinois USA. Febuary 2007.

I took this photo after work during that infamous Chicago Deep Freeze of Febuary 2007.
The things I remember that occured around Chicago when I took this photo were as follows.

1. It was eight degrees above zero Farenheight when I took this photo around sunset.

2. Several water main pipes bursted below the city streets due to the extreme cold
conditions.

3. Average night time temperatures were at or below zero degrees Farenheight.

4. There I was like a fool with My camera capturing this photo and risking frostbite/
Ha ha ha! Believe Me, it was worth it.

Seen here is a northbound two unit BNSF Railway light engine movement traveling over the Belt Railway of Chicago tracks, returning to the BNSF Railway Clyde Yard in nearby west suburban Cicero Illinois.

Northbound Canadian National freight train waiting on a hold order. Schiller Park Illinois USA. December 2009.

I took this photo one day last week during My morning lunch break. Looking east on Lawrence Avenue, We spot a northbound Canadian National Railroad freight train waiting on a hold order on top of the Lawrence Avenue viaduct.

Northbound Indiana Harbor Belt RR transfer train passing through Argo Junction. Summit Illinois USA. December 1990.

I took this photo on a sunny and actually mild December afternoon back in the year of 1990. With plenty of first generation EMD model NW-2 rebuilt yard switchers that were still on the roster at this time, We see two of these hauling a northbound road transfer freight train through Argo Junction, located in southwest suburban Summit Illinois.

Chilli and a Tamale at Goody's Hot Dogs. River Grove Illinois USA.

Hello everyone!

Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page from the city of Chicago Illinois.
A favorite fast food item that some local Chicagoans associate with cold weather here in the windy city...is this combination of a hot cup of Chilli and a Tamale.

I love these things so much, that heck...I can eat these any time of the year.
The Chilli and Tamale combination is known in the southside Chicago neighborhoods as a "Tamale Boat". I took this photo at one of My favorite local fast food eateries known as Goody's Hot Dogs in near northwest suburban River Grove Illinois.

Goodys Hot Dogs is located in a large outdoor strip mall on West Belmont Avenue, near the CTA Route # 77 Belmont Avenue terminal loop east of the intersection at North Cumberland Avenue.

It is snowing today in Chicago, so lets eat! It's lunch time in the windy city.

Northbound CTA purple line train at the Granville Avenue station. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo looking west on West Granville Avenue, in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood near Loyola University. Seen here on a bitterly cold winter morning in January of 2007, is a northbound Chicago Transit Authority purle line train enroute to north suburban Wilmette Illinois from downtown Chicago.

Digital Live Sound Video: Southbound Metra early morning local crossing Howard Street. Morton Grove Illinois USA. December 2009.

I photographed this digital live sound video on My way to work one morning last week, and yes...I was actually on time too.

We are looking east on Howard Street at the intersection of Lehigh Avenue in north suburban Morton Grove Illinois. It is approximately 5:45 AM, as a southbound Metra local enroute to Chicago Union Station passes the railroad crossing at Howard Street.

Southbound Burlington Northern freight train near West 59th Street. Chicago Illinois USA. January 1990.

I took this photo one sunny and dry winter day near Chicago's Midway Airport, back in January of 1990.

Traveling southbound over the Belt Railway of Chicago, We see a slow moving Burlington Northern Railroad heavy transfer freight train enroute to the BRC Clearing Yard in nearby southwest suburban Bedford Park Illinois.

A 1970's era Illinois Central Gulf box car in transit. La Grange Park Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo looking west on Harding Avenue in west suburban La Grange Park Illinois.

Occasionally, relics from fallen flag railroads of recent years can show up on any given freight train passing through town. I took this photo on a sunny , but yet very cold and windy winter afternoon in January of 2007. Seen here on a southbound freight train traveling over the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad, is an orange 1970's era Hi Cube boxcar from the former Illinois Central Gulf Railroad.

Looking north on Rockwell Street. Chicago Illinois USA. April 2006.

I took this photo one afternoon back in April of 2006.

We are looking north on Rockwell Street near the intersection at West Lealand Avenue on Chicago's northside. A westbound Chicago transit Authority brown line train, crosses Rockwell Street enroute to the nearby end of the line terminal at West Lawrence and North Kimball Avenues.

Prior to the CTA's color coding of the rapid transit lines in 1993, this was originally known as the Ravenswood Elevated line.

Eastbound Canadian Pacific freight train. River Grove Illinois USA. Friday, December 1st 2006.

I took this photo on the afternoon of Friday, December 1st 2006, at the River Grove Metra commuter rail station on Thatcher Avenue.

Friday, December 1st 2006 was a day when Chicago was being pelted by heavy lake effect snowstorms all morning and part of the early afternoon. I took this photo at the Metra commuter rail station in near northwest suburban River Grove Illinois.
It is approximately 3:00 PM, and the heavy snow storm activity ended about 30 minutes ago.

Seen here is an eastbound Canadian Pacific freight train passing through a snowy Christmas card setting through freshly fallen snow. Notice the snow on the nose of the lead locomotive near the windshield.

The corner of West 95th Street and South Kedzie Avenue during the Christmas holiday season. Evergreen Park Illinois USA. December 1988.

Hi everyone!
Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page from the city of Chicago Illinois.

I took this photo one cold and sunny afternoon, in December of 1988. A place I had frequently visited in the greater Chicagoland area during the mid to late 1980's, was the south suburban village of Evergreen Park Illinois.

I took this photo looking north at the intersection of South Kedzie Avenue and West 95th Street. Back in those days, the Evergreen Park epartment of Public Works would put up this tethered red Christmas tree display over the intersection every year around the holidays. I enjoyed visiting Evergreen Park any time of the year, but the holiday season was always very special on West 95th Street.

Happy Holidays to all from the greater Chicagoland area.

Eddie K.

Westbound Metra evening rush hour commuter train at twilight. Chicago Illinois USA. November 2006.

I took this photo after work one evening, in November of 2006.

A westbound Metra / Union Pacific west line commuter train enroute to Elburn Illinois, is viewed at the North Kilbourn Avenue railroad crossing under low lighting conditions. The reflective material used on the locomotive stripes, are extremely light sensative.

Digital Live Sound Video: The kiddieland Limited rounding the southwest curve. Kiddieland Amusement Park. (Gone.) Melrose Park Illinois. June 2009.

I photographed this digital live sound video after work one evening, in June of 2009.

Chicago's Kiddieland Amusement Park in near northwest suburban Melrose Park Illinois was on borrowed time, and would close for good on Sunday, September 27th 2009.
Seen here during the last season of operation in June of 2009, is the miniature Kiddieland Limited 1950's era gasoline powered replica diesel streamliner passenger train rounding the southwest curve inside the Kiddieland Amusement Park.

Scenes like these will be missed by many Chicagoans.

Twilight time at the Central Illinois Railroad headquarters. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2009.

I took this twilight photo on a bitterly cold Chicago evening in January of 2009.
Sitting behind a chain link fence at 918 West Cermak Road in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, are two rebuilt 1950's era EMD first generation yard swotcher locomotives from the industrial shortline Central Illinois Railroad. The locomotive to the right, was repainted in to the 1950's era Chicago, Burlington & Quincy style heritage paint scheme. With the light of day fading past after the sun had just set, and the fact that the outside flood light hadn't lit up yet...It was indeed a challenge taking this photo in single digit temperatures at nightfall.

Digital Live Sound Video: Eastbound CTA Skokie Swift train crossing Crawford Avenue. Skokie Illinois USA. Febuary 2009.

I photographed this digital live sound video during My lunch break one cold winter morning, back in Febuary of 2009. An eastbound Chicago Transit Authority yellow line train enroute to the Howard Street terminal in nearby downtown Evanston Illinois, is viewed passing through winter snow landscaped scenery at Crawford Avenue in north suburban Skokie Illinois.

A City Of Chicago Department Of Streets And Sanitation garbage truck. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2008.

I took this photo one overcast winter day, in January of 2008.

Seen here facing west on West Addison Street near the diagonal intersection at Forest Preserve Drive, is a weather beaten and well used Volvo garbage truck from the City Of Chicago Department Of Streets And Sanitation. The crew was enjoying a well deserved lunch break at a nearby fast food stand. This is very hard and heavy physical work, and a hearty appetite is a given for Chicago's dedicated sanitation crews.

A Chicago RTA EMD model F-40PH commuter locomotive on display at the July 1983 West Chicago Railroad Days Celebration.

I took this photo while visiting the July 1983 Railroad Days Celebration in the west suburban town of West Chicago Illinois. Seen here one year before the formation of Chicago's Metra commuter rail agency, is a 1970's era EMD model F-40PH passenger locomotive wearing the original Chicago RTA color scheme used on commuter trains.

Retired Milwaukee Road caboose on display. Franklin Park Illinois USA. December 2009.

I took this photo last week one morning during My lunch break.

This beautiful and well maintained 1920's era ex Milwaukee Road steel cupola caboose, is on display adjacent to the preserved historic tower B-12 on Franklin Avenue in downtown Franklin Park Illinois. This caboose is located to the immediate west side of Tower B-12. A relic from railroading past.

December in Central Park. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. December 2009.

I took this photo last Sunday afternoon during an afternoon excercise walk.

Although the weather was cold and damp that day on near northwest suburban Elmwood Park Illinois, I just couldn;t resist the opportunity to bring My camera with Me and photograph some train activity on the nearby Canadian Pacific ex Milwaukee Road mainline near Grand Avenue. Unfortunately, it was a very quiet and overcast afternoon with no sign of a train on the mainline anytime soon. Still, I made the best of it all and photographed this local image at nearby Central Park. Central Park is located just south of the train tracks on 75th Avenue in Elmwood Park Illinois.

It is a pleasant place to sit and relax outdoors and enjoy some fresh air. During December, there are lighted Christmas holiday displays for local familys to enjoy.

Northbound Canadian National freight train waiting on a hold order. Schiller Park Illinois USA. December 2009.

I took this photo during My lunch break one morning last week, in December of 2009.

Looking east on Lawrence Avenue just east of the intersection at 25th Avenue, We see a northbound Canadian National freight train waiting for clearance from the railroad dispatcher to enter and pass through the former Wisconsin Central yaed. The local tavern near the tracks, indicates that northwest suburban Schiller Park Illinois, is a blue collar working class town.

Digital Live Sound Video: Eastbound BNSF Railway empty unit coal train. Franklin Park Illinois USA. December 2009.

I photographed this digital live sound video one morning during My lunch break, in December of 2009. Seen here from the adjacent viewing platform porch at the preserved historic tower B-12 site, is an eastbound BNSF Railway empty unit coal train.

Northbound Grand Trunk Western freight train passing through Chicago's Ashburn neighborhood. Chicago Illinois USA. Febuary 1986.

I took this photo way back in Febuary of 1986.

We are looking west on West 80th Place toward South St.louis Avenue, in Chicago's Ashburn neighborhood. A northbound GTW freight train is viewed in the distance riding alongside adjacent South St. Louis Avenue.

Westbound BNSF Railway empty unit coal train. Brookfield Illinois USA. December 2006.

I took this photo on a sunny and pleasantly mild December morning back in 2006.

A westbound BNSF Railway empty unit coal train, is viwed gradually picking up speed as it passes the railroad crossing on Prairie Avenue in west suburban Brookfield Illinois. The train is passing underneath the very tall Congress Park overhead block signal bridge.