A southbound Niles Fire Department fire truck responding to an emergency call. Niles Illinois USA. Early March 2009.

I was returning to My bus companys garage in Glenview Illinois after lunch one afternoon, in early March of 2009, when I spotted the lights and heard the sirens and air horn of an approaching fire truck responding to a local emergency call. I quickly grabbed My camera, and photographed this scene of a Niles Fire Department fire engine responding to an emergency call. The Niles Fire Department crew, was heading southbound on Harlem Avenue with their emergency lights and sirens activated, somewhere between Dempster and Oakton Streets in north suburban Niles Illinois.

First responders, such as Your local Police and Fire Deaprtments, have a very tough and physically demanding job. They are constantly on call at any given time, and must perform to the best of their abilities professionaly in all kinds of weather and dangerous situations. Many times they risk their own life and limbs helping others in need. The best part of all, is that many times ...they actually give something back to their local communitues with various public service and safety presentations, as well as charity work helping many less fortunate people.

A special thank You goes out here, to the many brave men and woman of the Niles Fire Department, and also the many other local emergency first response teams around the Greater Chicagoland Area for a job well done.

Thank You.
Eddie K.

Digital Live Sound Video: Northbound speeding Amtrak Hiawatha train. Glenview Illinois USA. Tuesday, Febuary 10th, 2009.

I photographed this digital live sound video during My lunch break, on a windy Tuesday, Febuary 10th, 2009. A speeding northbound Amtrak Hiawatha regional passenger train enroute to Milwaukee Wisconsin, is seen racing through the Glen of North Glenview, Metra commuter rail station.

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

I took this photo after work one afternoon, in March of 2007. I was definately in the right place at the right time on this particular visit to Hawthorne Junction at the Chicago city limits. A Canadian Pacific Railroad intermodal train, is seen heading northbound over the Belt Railway of Chicago tracks. Seen here bringing up the rear of the train as it crosses the Canadian National ex Illinois Central crosstracks, is an old 1970's era caboose wearing the colors and markings of predecessor railroad Soo Line. Cabooses were being phased out during the early to mid 1980's, and almost totally disappeared from everyday railroading. They are rare sights today on many rail lines. The Canadian Pacific Railroad is still using them to some extant in the Greater Chicagoland Area on switching locals and transfer freight trains.

CSX local spotting covered hopper cars. Forest Park Illinois USA. June 2007.

I took this photo looking east from the Circle Avenue overpass bridge, in west suburban Forest Park Ilinois. A CSX Transportation Company industrial switching local, is seen at work spotting covered hopper cars at the Ferara Pan Candy Company.

Southbound Canadian Pacific transfer train. Glenview Illinois USA. Febuary 2009.

I took this photo on a damp , overcast, and windy day in Febuary of 2009. A southbound Canadian Pacific Railroad transfer freight train, is viewed crossing West Lake Avenue in north suburban Glenview Illinois. The train is actually traveling southwestwardly over the Union Pacific Railroad's former Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad freight only cut off line near Northbrook Illinois.

Eastbound Amtrak train enroute to Chicago Union Station. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2008.

I took this photo on a hot summer afternoon in August of 2008. A Chicago bound Amtrak passenger train, is viewed slowing down on approach to Chicago Union Station. This scene was photographed facing northeast, from the corner at South Archer and Normal Avenue's in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood.

Your host and photographer having fun at the old Frosted Mug Drive In Restaurant. ( Closed.) Alsip Illinois USA. September 2006.

Hi everyone!
welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page.
A favorate place I loved going to in recent years past, is the now closed Frosted Mug Drive In Restaurant in south suburban Alsip Illinois. This was an old 1950's era roadside drive in restaurant with year round car hop service, and it was located on South Pulaski Road at West 116th Street. Here I am at The Frosted Mug Drive In, having fun after work at one of their popular Tuesday Night car shows. The Frosted ug was up for sale in recent years, and closed in late 2007 during the begining phases of what was supposed to be the restaurant being remodeled. I miss it.
Still...It was a fun place with many hapy memorys attatched to it.

Thank You.
Eddie K

Silent Digital Video: Southbound Metra commuter local arriving at Edgebrook. Chicago Illinois USA. Late September 2007.

I photographed this silent digital video one morning in late September of 2007, at the Edgebrook, Metra commuter rail station near the Chicago city limits. This station is located on Chicago's far northwest side, near the suburban villages of Niles and Skokie Illinois. A southbound local enroute to Chicago Union Station from Fox Lake Illinois, is seen arriving at the Edgebrook commuter flagstop depot near West Devon Avenue on a rainy Autum morning.

Westbound Metra express commuter train. River Forest Illinois USA. June 2007.

I took this photo after work one afternoon in June of 2007. A westbound Metra evening rush hour commuter train, is seen passing through the elevated River Forest, Metra commuter rail station with a load of Chicago rail commuters. This train is heading to Elburn Illinois over the Metra / Union Pacific Railroad "West Line", formerly known as the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad before 1998.

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

I took this photo one morning in December of 2006, in northwest suburban Franklin Park Illinois. The weather for the most part in early December of 2006, was very surprisingly mild with temperatures in the low 50's. I had perfect weather when I photographed this eastbound Canadian Pacific freight train at the 25th Avenue railroad crossing, as it was departing from Franklin Park Illinois.

The 1914 built Grand Trunk Western Railroad's Elsdon Roundhouse on South Kedzie Avenue. ( Gone.) Chicago Illinois USA. October 1983.

I took this photo one lovely Autum afternoon in October of 1983. This was the Grand Trunk Western Railroad 1914 built steam era roundhouse, wich had served motive power for many years at the Grand Trunk Western Railroad,Elsdon Yard facility. The railroad roundhouse seen here, was located at South Kedzie Avenue at approximately West 49th Street. Here it is seen in it's final week of operation. The GTW closed Elsdon Yard in October of 1983, and moved their operations to the Belt Railway of Chicago Clearing Yard in Bedford Park Illinois. The roundhouse was later demolished around late 1987 or early 1988, and the site was redeveloped and replaced with a small retail stripmall.

A former Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad coal hopper car in transit. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2007.

I photographed this former Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad coal hopper car in transit, aboard an eastbound Union Pacific Railroad unit coal train entering Chicago Illinois. Seen here riding alongside West Kinzie Street just east of North Kilbourn Avenue, is an eastbound Union Pacific unit coal train with plenty of former pre 1998 Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad coal hoppers in tow. Although the colors, logo and markings of the predecessor railroad are fading out and showing their age, these cars were built well and still are in daily service.

Silent Digital Video: Westbound Canadian Pacific freight train. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. April 2007.

I photographed this ;itt;e silent digital video one morning in April of 2007. A westbound Canadian Pacific Railroad freight train, is viewed passing the 73rd Avenue railroad crossing in near near northwest suburban Elmwood Park Illinois.

Westbound Metra commuter local. River Grove Illinois USA. October 2007.

I took this photo on a pleasant Autum evening in October of 2007. A westbound Metra
evening rush hour local commuter train rnroute to Elgin Illinois, is viewed arriving at the River Grove Metra commuter rail station on Thatcher Avenue.

Northbound Canadian National freight train. Schiller Park Illinois USA. August 2006.

I took this photo on a hot summer morning, in August of 2006. A northbound Canadian National freight train is viewed waiting on a hold order, on top of the West Irving Park Road / Illinois U.S Route # 19 underpass viaduct.

The old interlocking control tower at Western Avenue. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2006.

I took this photo on a rainy summer afternoon in August of 2006. Interlocking towers are largely obsolete in todays railroad world, but this old steam era example is very alive and well today at the Metra, Western Avenue commyter rail station, manually controling train traffic between two mainlines and two adjacent coach yards at this inter city junction. The Metra Western Avenue station, is a former Milwaukee Road facility.

The West Ohio Street drawbridge over the Chicago River. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2006.

Hi everyone!
Welcome to Chicago via Eddie's Railfan Page.
I took this photo looking north from the West Grand Avenue drawbridge over the Chicago River, just northwest of downtown Chicago Illinois. Seen in the distance, is the very elevated West Ohio Street drawbridge over the Chicago River. This bridge takes traffic to and from downtown Chicago, at the interchange with the Illinois U.S Route I-90 Kennedy Expressway. It is a very busy and scenic waterfront location in the city of Chicago Illinois.

Digital Live Sound Video: The Kiddieland limited departing the boarding station. Melrose Park Illinois USA. Early July 2008.

I photographed this digital live sound video at the Kiddieland Amusement Park, in northwest suburban Melrose Park Illinois. The gasoline powered 1950's era replica streamliner passenger train known as the Kiddieland Limited, is viewed departing the boarding station on a hot summer Friday night, in early July of 2008.

The old CTA Brown line station at North Southport Avenue. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2006.

In 2006 and 2007, the Chicago Transit Authority was rebuilding and upgrading the CTA Brown line rapid transit line. This line in previous decades, was known as the Ravenswood Elevated Line. The former Ravenswood line had station platforms that could only accomodate 6 car CTA rapid transit trains instead of the standard rush hour 8 car consists. Here is the old station at North Southport Avenue in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood prior to replacemet and upgrading. It was looking very rag tag by 2006.

The Kiddieland Limited waiting in the station. Kiddieland Amusement Park. Melrose Park Illinois USA. July 2008.

I took this photo on a humid summer weeknight, in July of 2008 at the Kiddieland Amusement Park. A crewmember of the Kiddieland Railroad, is seen waiting for passengers to board during a slow period of night time amusement park ride operations. Low patronage indicates that this is either a weeknight, or it is late in the evening near closing time. Still, a small handful of passengers are seen heading to board the train for a night time counter clockwise train ride around the perimeter of the amusement park.

Northbound CN freight train on top of the Irving Park Road viaduct. Schiller Park Illinois USA. August 2006.

I took this photo one hot summer morning, in August of 2006. A northbound Candian National freight train is viewed waiting on a hold order, on top of the West Irving Park Road / Illinois U.S Route # 19 underpass viaduct in northwest suburban Schiller Park Illinois. We are looking west in this view near River Road.

The Chicago bound Amtrak Empire Builder. Glenview Illinois USA. August 2008.

I took this photo after work one evening, in August of 2008. The Chicago bound Amtrak Empire Builder passenger train enroute from Seatle Washington, is seen begining the final leg of it's transcontinental journey to Chicago Union Station.
Here the train is viewed crossing Glenview Road, as it is slowly departing from the Glenview Amtrak / Metra commuter rail station.

The Frosted Mug Drive In Restaurant. ( Closed.) Alsip Illinois USA. Early September 2006.

Hello everyone!
Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page.
One of My all time favorite places I enjoyed visiting for many years in the Greater Chicagoland Area...was this very retro 1950's era roadside drive in restaurant known as The Frosted Mug. The Frosted Mug was located on the east side of South Pulaski Road at the corner of West 116th Street in south suburban Alsip Illinois. During the warmer weather months of the year, They would have car shows and cruise nights on Tuesday and Sarurday nights. It was a fun place to go to, and it was also one of the last drive in fast food restaurants in the greater Chicagoland area that still had car hop service.It closed I believe in late 2007.

Digital LIVE Sound Video: Northbound CTA Skokie Swift train. Skokie Illinois USA. August 2008.

A northbound Chicago Transit Authority Yellow line train, is seen crossing Oakton Street in downtown north suburban Skokie Illinois. Notice the unique and very European sounding " High Pitched" electronic Peanut whistle.

The cab of a Metra 1950's era EMD model E-8 passenger locomotive. Harvard Illinois USA. Saturday, October 28th 1989.

The end of an era had arrived for Metra's last three 1950's era EMD model E-8 cab unit passenger locomotives. On Saturday, October 28th 1989, they operated from Chicago to Harvard Illinois over the Metra / Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad "Northwest Line". Photo runbys were made at Palatine and Richfield Illinois.
At the end of the line in Harvard Illinois,all of the onboard railfans were treated to a rare visit inside the locomotive cab shown here.

Northbound CSX Transportation Company freight train. Alsip Illinois USA. August 1990.

I took this photo on a hot and hazy summer day in August of 1990. A northbound CSX train is seen passing the railroad crossing on South Kostner Avenue near West 118th Street, in south suburban Alsip Illinois. This train is seen traveling over the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad mainline.

railroad crossing signal at work. Franklin Park Illinois USA. Early September 2006.

I took this photo on an overcast morning, in early September of 2006. A railroad signal is viewed at work in downtown Franklin Park Illinois, as a westbound Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad transfer train of auto racks heads to the nearby Canadian Pacific Railroad Bensenvulle Yard.

Digital Live Sound Video. Eastbound BNSF freight train passing through Berwyn Illinois. October 2008.

I photographed this digital live sound video one night in October of 2008, from the south platform of the Berwyn Illinois, Metra commuter rail station at Oak Park Avenue and Windsor Street. An eastbound BNSF Railway freight train passes the depot, enroute to nearby Clyde Yard in west suburban Cicero Illinois. Many freight trains travel this former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy mainline at night.

The "New" Belmont Avenue CTA Brown line station under construction. Chicago Illinois USA, August 2007.

I took this photo one bright Summer morning, in August of 2007. We are looking west on West Belmont Avenue, just west of the intersection of North Clark Street in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. The old CTA Brown line station, AKA the Ravenswood Elevated line on West Belmont Avenue...up until the rebuilding of the CTA Brown line, could only accomodate 6 car trains instead of the standard rush hour 8.

Switching activity at the Belt Railway of Chicago Clearing Yard. Bedford Park Illinois USA. August 2006.

I took this photo at the north entrance of Clearing Yard on South Central Avenue near approximately what would be West 68th Street. A Belt Railway of Chicago EMD roadswitcher, is viewed shoving a cut of covered hoppers just east of the Central Avenue railroad crossing.

Two trains meet south of 71st Street. Bridgeview Illinois USA. August 2007.

I took this photo on an overcast summer afternoon, in August of 2007. A northbound Union Pacific transfer train waiting on a hold order, meets a southbound Indiana Harbor Belt transfer freight train in southwest suburban Bridgeview Illinois. This view is looking south from the 71st Street railroad crossing.

Southbound Chicago Sun Times newspaper delivery truck. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2007.

Hi everyone!
Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page.
I took this photo of everyday Chicago life one morning, in August of 2007. A Chicago Sun Times newspaper delivery truck, is seen traveling southbound on North Clark Street at the intersection of West Belmont Avenue...in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood. This is a very busy intersection of a very lively and upscale neighborhood near Chicago's lakefront. It is a very active community on Chicago's northside, with many a storefront in this old shopping and entertainment district.

Eastbound BNSF Railway freight train. Riverside Illinois USA. April 2007.

I took this photo one morning, during the early Spring of 2007. Seen here on an a morning in early April of 2007, is an eastbound BNSF Railway freight train passing through the Riverside Illinois, Metra commuter rail station. This old brick steam era passenger train station, originally served passenger trains on the former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. It is classic and timeless in styling today.

Silent Digital Video: Switching activity at the former Illinois Central RR Crawford Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. April 2007.

I photographed this silent digital video after work one afternoon in early April of 2007. This is the Canadian National Railroad's ex Illlinois Central Crawford Yard, located just east of the Chicago city limits near the border at west suburban Cicero Illinois. This facility is located on the former Illinois Central Railroad's Iowa Division Mainline. Two second hand EMD roadswitchers, seen here in the predecessor railroad markings of the Illinois Central and the Grand Trunk Western Rauilroad, are shoving a cut of tank cars eastbound in to the yard during a switching manuever.

Illinois Central Railroad gray "New Image" caboose. Chicago Illinois USA. May 1987.

I took this photo looking east from the South Pulaski Road overpass bridge near Daley College, one lovely Springtime afternoon in May of 1987. A westbound Illinois Central transfer train, is seen heading to the Belt Railway of Chicago, Clearing Yard in Bedford Park Illinois. The Illinois Central had recently reorganized, and adopted this gray "New Image" color scheme for their cabooses and various freight cars on their fleet. The train is traveling over the Belt Railway of Chicago tracks.

Westbound BNSF Railway freight train. Brookfield Illinois USA. August 2007.

I took this photo one hot summer afternoon, in August of 2007. I was visiting a local flea market that was set up on the grounds of the preserved "Grossdale" train station along the northside of Brookfield Avenue, just east of the intersection at Prairie Avenue. The outdoor flea market was winding down for the day, and many small time merchants had already left. Seen here from the lawn of the Grossdale station site, is a westbound BNSF Railway freight train. This westbound train, one of many intermitent moves over the three track ex Burlington Northern Railroad ( 1970 - 1995) or what was the former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad mainline prior to 1970, breaks the silence of a summer afternoon in Chicago's western suburbs.

Your host and photographer driving a preserved 1950 GM bus. Cresthill Illinois USA. September 2000.

During the years of 1999 to 2001, I was employed as a delivery truck driver for a company in Romeoville Illinois. One Springtime day during the year of 2000, I discovered what appeared to be a collection of antique city transit buses on an industrial storage lot at Illinois U.S Route # 53 and Caton Farm Road in Cresthill Illinois. I went there after work to take a closer look that day, and met the museum president Dave Buzek working on some of these old buses. He gave Me a guided tour, and the next thing I knew...I was a member of the Midwest transit Bus Museum from 2000 to 2002. The Midwest Transit Bus Museum, is a collection of vintage transit buses owned by a group of individuals. Some of these operate, and some don't as some were rescued from junk yards minus many parts. Some were used as storage sheds.

Here I am at the September 2000 Members Weekend at the museum, driving this 1950
General Motors 40 foot transit bus, from the West Towns Bus Company. ( pre Pace.)
I drove this bus under supervision of a professional bus driver who was a member.
West Towns Bus Company # 776, was occasionally being used in local Chicago area parades and special occasions. One of them being the anual Berwyn Houby Day Parade.

Silent Digital Video: Eastbound Pace bus on West Cermak Road. Berwyn Illinois USA. April 2007.

I photographed this silent digital video after work one overcast early Springtime afternoon, in April of 2007. An eastbound suburban Pace bus, is viewed east of Harlem Avenue on Cermak Road in west suburban Berwyn Illinois.

CTA and Pace buses at the West 63rd Street and South Archer Road terminal. Summit Illinois USA. May 2006.

I took this photo one lovely Springtime morning, in May of 2006. Two transit buses from the Chicago Transit Authority athe suburban RTA bus operator Pace, are seen idling between departures at the terminal loop at West 63rd Street and South Archer Road / Illinois U.S Route # 171 in southwest suburban Summit Illinois.

The end of the shift. Glenview Illinois USA. July 2008.

Another hot summer workday has come to a close for this very tired fellow Paratransit driver, as He is now pulling in to the First Transit garage in north suburban Glenview Illinois. After the days paperwork is filled out and turned in,it is time to go home. I took this end of the workday photo, in July of 2008.

The CTA bus terminal loop on West Belmont Avenue at North Halsted Street. Chicago Illinois USA. September 2006.

I took this photo in September of 2006, while passing through Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood on West Belmont Avenue. A Chicago Transit Authority articulated bus, is seen waiting at the terminal turn a round loop at West Belmont Avenue and North Halsted StreetPrior to the officiall end of CTA electric trolley bus operations in 1973, this loop served the electric CTA trolleybuses of the Route # 77 Belmont Avenue bus line. This was the east terminal.

Silent Digital Video: Westbound Metra express commuter train passing through Cragin Junction. Chicago Illinois. 2007.

A westbound Metra evening rush hour express commuter train, is seen passing through Cragin Junction. Cragin Junction is located just east of the intersection of Grand and Cicero Avenues on Chicago's northside. The Metra train is heading west over the Canadian Pacific ex Milwaukee Road mainline, while a Norfolk Southern transfer freight train waits for clearance at the interchange connection on the Belt Raiilway of Chicago tracks. Cragin Junction is the north terminal for the Belt Railway of Chicago.

Northbound Amtrak Hiawatha departing Glenview at twilight. Glenview Illinois USA. August 2008.

I took this unique twilight photo at the Glenview Illinois, Metra commuter rail station. A northbound Amtrak Hiawatha service regional passenger train enroute to Milwaukee Wisconsin, is seen departing Glenview Illinois under low lighting conditions. The slight blur makes it look like it is moving faster than it really is.

Orange Indiana Harbor Belt RR switcher. Argo Yard. Summit Illinois USA. March 2007.

I took this photo on a lovely early Springtime morning, in March of 2007. A bright orange Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad EMD yard switcher and a slug unit, are spotted idling between switching movements inside Argo Yard at southwest suburban Summit Illinois.

Westbound Metra / Burlington Northern RR commuter train. Riverside Illinois USA. October 1989.

I took this photo one late afternoon in October of 1989. A westbound Metra / Burlington Northern Railroad commuter local enroute to Aurora Illinois, is seen in west suburban Riverside Illinois amidst lovely Autum scenery. The locomotive is an EMD 1953 vintage model E-8, that was upgraded to model E-9 status during the early 1970's after rebuilding. These were retired from service in September of 1992.

Eastbound Union Pacific unit coal train. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2007.

A common site on Chicago's railroad lines, are the many loaded unit coal trains entering in to Chicago. I spotted this eastbound Union Pacific unit coal train entering Chicago Illinois, over the former Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad mainline in August of 2007. I photographed this scene facing northwest, at the North Kilbourn Avenue railroad crossing alongside West kinzie Street. The tall building in the background, is the abandoned Brach's Candy Factory.

Mealmakers Delicatessen. ( Gone.) Berwyn Illinois USA. March 1987.

Hello everyone!
welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page.
An interesting sideline to all of those train and bus photos that appear on My blogsite, are the surprising number of now lost local Chicago area landmarks and businesses. I took this photo one early Springtime afternoon, in March of 1987.

Seen here on West Cermak Road near Oak Park Avenue, was the locally popular Mealmakers Delicatessen in west suburban Berwyn Illinois. This takeout business, had specialized in homestyle ethnic food delicasies of mainly Czechloslovakian background.
They had a pretty decent amount of catering business as well.
My Mom and Dad went there occasionally during the 1980's, and would bring Me home some Hungarian Ghoulash, Dumplings, Roast Chicken, Pork Chops, or Potato Pancakes.

Although they are no longer here today, they left Me with happy memorys and taste buds. They gave You plenty to eat too.

Thank You.
Eddie K.

Digital Live Sound Video: Southbound Metra commuter local. Niles Illinois USA. January 2009.

I photographed this digital live sound video on location, at the Touhy Avenue railroad crossing in north suburban Niles Illinois. This railroad crossing is located at the intersection of Touhy and Lehigh Avenues, and sees numerous Metra commuter trains daily. Amtrak's daily Hiawatha regional passenger trains to and from Milwaukee Wisconsin pass through here, as well as an occasional if not somewhat rare Canadian Pacific freight train or two. A southbound Metra evening rush hour commuter local, is seen enroute to Chicago Union Station from Fox Lake Illinois.

Preserved 0-4-0T Fireless industrial steam locomotive. Tinley Park Illinois USA. August 2006.

I was passing through south suburban Tinley Park Illinois one night in August of 2006, and stopped to take this photo of a preserved relic from industrial railroading past. This 0-4-0T fireless steam locomotive, is now on display today on the grounds of the Metra, Tinley Park commuter rail station.

Southbound Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad transfer train. Bridgeview Illinois USA. August 2007.

I took this photo on a quiet and overcast summer afternoon, in August of 2007. A southbound Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad transfer freight train, is seen crossing West 71st Street in southwest suburban Bridgeview Illinois near the village of Bedford Park.

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

I took this photo at Hawthorne Junction one summer afternoon just before sunset, in June of 2008. I was pleasantly surprised to see and photograph this relic from Chicago's railroading past. Seen here is a former Illinois Central Railroad covered hopper, in markings from the post 1972 era Illinois Central Gulf Railroad. The ICG was created from the merger and acquisition of the former Gulf. Mobile & Ohio Railroad during the year of 1972. I grew up in Chicago seeing the many colorful varieties of Illinois Central Gulf orange freight cars, cabooses and locomotives during the 1970's, and thought that they were all gone by now.
I was never so glad to be proven wrong when this one rolled past the CN crosstracks, on a southbound transfer train, riding on the Belt Railway of Chicago tracks.

Early Springtime opening day preparations. The Glenview Dairy Bar. Glenview Illinois USA. March 2008.

Hi everyone!
welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page.
Well folks....after a lenghty period of bitter cold, short days, ice and heavy lake effect snow accumulations...Springtime is finally arriving in the Greater Chicagoland Area. I took this photo last year in March of 2008, in north suburban Glenview Illinois. The Glenview Dairy Bar, is a seasonal roadside soft serve ice cream stand, located just north of the intersection at Harlem Avenue and Glenview Road. Winter was winding down, and these contractors are viewed making structural and cosmetic improvements to the Glenview Dairy Bar a few weeks before the opening of the season. The building is recieving metal structural support beams for a new canvas awning, replacing an old faded metal one from decades ago.

This view of Springtime preparations, really captures the spirit of the early Springtime season in the Greater Chicagoland Area. It was chilly outside when I took this photo, but soon soft serve ice cream would be available here again soon.

Digital Live Sound Video: a speeding westbound Metra commuter train. Franklin Park Illinois USA. June 2008.

I photographed this digital live sound video on location in northwest suburban Franklin Park Illinois. A westbound Metra commuter train enroute to Elgin Illinois, is seen crossing the Canadian National ex Wisconsin Central crosstracks, east of downtown Franklin Park Illinois. In past years, locally preserved Tower B-12 stood here at this busy railroad junction. This Metra commuter train is heading in to the sunset, with several rush hour passengers on board.

Southbound Metra commuter train. Northbrook Illinois USA. June 2008.

I took this photo last year in June of 2008. A southbound Metra commuter train, is viewed speeding underneath the bridge of the Union Pacific Railroad's freight only cut off line near Techny Illinois. The Metra train is traveling southbound over the Canadian Pacific ex Milwaukee Road mainline enroute to Chicago Union Station. This Union Pacific line overhead, originally belonged to the Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad. The Metra train is enroute to Chicago from Fox Lake Illinois on a hot summer afternoon.

Northbound Norfolk Southern intermodal transfer train crossing South Archer Avenue. Chicago Illinois USA. March 2008.

I took this photo one late afternoon after work, in March of 2008. A Norfolk Southern intermodal transfer train, is viewed heading northbound over the Belt Railway of Chicago tracks at the South Archer Avenue Railroad crossing. This photo location, is located just northeast of Chicago's Midway Airport, near South Knox Avenue.

Westbound Metra commuter local. River Grove Illinois USA. Early October 2007.

I took this photo one evening after work around sunset, in early October of 2007.
A westbound Metra rush hour local commuter train, is seen arriving at the River Grove, Metra commuter rail station on Thatcher Avenue. For a short period in 2007, the River Grove depot was painted in the light green with white letters and red roof color scheme shown here. By early November of 2007, the depot was repainted in to a dark green with gold letters and a red roof that is seen today. This Metra rush hour commuter train is enroute to Elgin Illinois.

The Marqutte Theatre on West 63rd Street and South Kedzie Avenue. ( Gone.) Chicago Illinois USA. March 1986.

Hi everyone!
welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page.
I took this photo looking south along West 63rd Street just east of the intersection of South Kedzie Avenue, in March of 1986. In the days before VCR's, Video rental Stores, and home entertainment centers....Many Chicagoans visited local neighborhood movie theatres.

For many years, My family either took the CTA Route # 52 Kedzie / california Avenue bus, or took the family car to enjoy feature movie films at the Marquette Theatre
at west 63rd Street and South kedzie Avenue. We usually went on a Friday or saturday night, or would occasionally go there on a Sunday afternoon. We would see most any film from Childrens Disney movies, to romantic comedies, or action and adventure motion pictures. It was a much simpler time in Chicago, and going to the local movie theatres was a way of life for many people.

The Marquette theatre had closed around 1981, but I can vaguelly recall it temporarily being reopened briefly around 1983. There was even an attempt to bring back live concert shows featuring local Chicago rock and roll music acts like the band known as "Off Broadway". Unfortunately....it never materialized.

The building had fallen in to a major state of disrepair and urban blight. There were large flocks of Pidgeons roosting on the building, as well as rumors of Rat
infestations inside. Gradually the businesses left one by one, and the building was eventually demolished in August of 1987.

This is the Marquette Theatre building one year before demolition in March of 1986.

Silent Digital Video: Northbound CN transfer train crossing 31st Street. La Grange Park Illinois USA. May 2007.

I photographed this silent digital video on location in west suburban La Grange Park Illinois. Seen here on a lovely Springtime morning in May of 2007, is a northbound Canadian National transfer freight train. This train is traveling over the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad, and is seen at the 31st Street railroad crossing just west of Brookfield Illinois.

Eastbound CSX intermodal transfer train. Hayford Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. July 2007.

I took this photo after work one afternoon in July of 2007. An eastbound CSX Transportation Company intermodal container train, has just left the nearby Belt Railway of Chicago Clearing Yard in Bedford Park Illinois. The train is now proceeding eastbound through Hayford Junction over the Belt Railway of Chicago tracks, with a heavy train in tow. The train is seen passing through the Belt Railway of Chicago / Canadian National ex GTW crosstracks at Hayford Junction in Chicago's ashburn neighborhood on a hot, humid and very dusty summer afternoon.

Westbound Metra express commuter train. Brookfield Illinois USA. October 2006.

A speeding westbound Metra express commuter train enroute to Aurora Illinois, is seen heading off in to the sunset. I photographed this late day evening scene near the Hollywood flagstop depot. The train is heading westbound during rush hour over the BNSF Railway.

The Union Pacific M-19A Diesel Shop. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo after work one cold winter evening, in January of 2007. The late day sun had just set, as night was falling at the Union Pacific Railroad's M-19A Diesel Shop, located at 400 North Pulaski Road. This facility is busy around the clock. Several diesel locomotives are seen idling outside of the shop building, as another winter night arrives in the windy city.

COMING IN JUNE OF 2009.....MY CHICAGOLAND RAILFAN PHOTO SLIDESHOW!

Hi everyone!
This is Eddie K, Your host and photographer at Eddie's Railfan Page.
On Saturday afternoon, June 27th 2009....I will be hosting a special event presentation known as My Chicagoland Railfan Photo Slideshow.

The event will take place from 2 to 3:30 PM at the Eisenhower Public Library,
located at 4613 North Oketo Avenue in near north suburban Harwood Heights Illinois.
The library is in the vicinity of the Harlem Irving Plaza shopping center.

I will be showing a selection of My Chicago area railfan photos, plus maybe
a short video or two depending on time.

it will be a fun event, and I hope to see You there.

All A-booooaaard!

Thank You.
Eddie K.