Chicago's famous Connie's Pizza at South Archer and Normal Avenues. Chicago Illinois USA. June 2008.

A popular local food favorite of the southside of Chicago, is deep dish pizza.

Seen here at South Archer and Normal Avenues in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood, is Chicago's very own Connie's Pizza. Connue's Pizza started out in the early 1960's at a small location on West 26th Street in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood east of South Halsted Street.

My family discovered Connie's when they were still at the small location during the late 1970's, and began eating there regularly.

Around 1983, they bought out the site of a recent closed junk yard at South Archer and Normal Avenues, and built this brick factory style building, and soon franchised.

I still enjoy an occasional slice or two of deep dish Connie's Pizza today.

Digital Live Sound Video: Southbound early morning Metra local arriving in Glenview Illinois. January 2010.

I photographed this digital live sound video on My way to work one morning in January 2010.

It is 5:40 AM, and a heavy all night lake effect snowstorm has just stopped falling.
This Metra commuter train is arriving at the Glenview station with fresh snow accumulation on the ground. Notice the "Clack-Clack-Clack" sound that the trains cab car bell is making due to the build up of ice and snow inside the bell.

Westbound CTA orange line train approaching the Midway Airport terminal. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo one overcast Winter morning in January of 2007.

Seen here just west of South Kostner Avenue, is a westbound Chicago Transit Authority orange line rapid transit train on approach to Midway Airport.

Westbound Burlington Northern / early Metra local commuter train. La Grange Illinois USA. Febuary 1985.

I took this photo during a Febuary 1985 visit to west suburban La Grange Illinois.

A westbound local commuter train enroute to Aurora Illinois, makes the station stop in downtown La Grange Illinois at the La Grange Road station.

Chicago's recently formed Metra commuter rail agency was only in it's first year of operation since being formed in 1984. Commuter trains on the Burlingtton Northern's 3 track Chicago to Aurora mainline, would still be using these rebuilt 1953 vintage EMD model E-9 passenger streamlined diesel locomotives until September of 1992.

Many things have changed in this photo, as the lineside railroad telephone poles have now disappeared from the background today.

The 1914 built Grand Trunk Western Railroad Elsdon roundhouse at South Kedzie Avenue and West 49th Street. ( Gone.) Chicago Illinois USA. October 1983

I took this photo on Chicago's southwest side way back in October of 1983.

For many years, the Grand Trunk Western Railroad's 1914 built roundhouse at South Kedzie Avenue and What would approximately be West 49th Street, was a local landmark in Chicago's Elsdon neighborhood.

I took this photo in October of 1983, and unfortunately....this old steam era icon from Chicago's railroading history past was in it's last week of operation. The roundhouse would sit abandoned until it was finally demolished in late 1987.

Today this is the site of a outdoor retail strip mall.

A City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation sweeper vechicle heading west on Montrose Avenue. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2006.

Hi everyone!

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

Chicago's winters aren't always covered with ice and snow. Sometimes cold but dry conditions prevail here in the windy city between snow storms.

I took this photo one morning, in January of 2006 on West Montrose Avenue on the northside of the city of Chicago Illinois.
Chicago's street sweeping season is normally sceduled to operate between April 1st and November 1st any given year. When those occasional dry conditions appear during what is normally the "Off Season" on Chicago's city streets, the City of Chicago Department of Streets and sanitation will dispatch a number of crews to maintain and clear the city's streets and boulevards of debris.

The City of Chicago Department of Transportation will also send out their crews to patch potholes and perform light paving details as well during these thaw cycles.

Digital Live Sound Video: Northbound BNSF Railway / Wisconsin Electric Power Co unit coal train. Baneckburn Illinois USA. January 2010.

I photographed this digital live sound video one cold and windy Winter morning in January of 2010.

A northbound BNSF Railway powered Wisconsin Electric Power Company unit coal train, is viewed traveling over the Canadian Pacific ex Milwaukee Road north line via trackage rights, alongside Illinois U.S Route # 43 / Waukegan Road in far north suburban Baneckburn Illinois.

The train is heading to the Wisconsin Electric Power Company's generating station in Pleasant Prairie Wisconsin. This train originated in the strip mines of Wyoming.

Afternoon switching activity at the Canadian National RR Crawford Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. July 2006.

I took this photo one hot summer afternoon after work back in July of 2006.

The locomotives from the two fallen flag railroads Illinois Central and Grand Trunk western, indicate that major railroad mergers have taken place in recent times.

Seen here at the Canadian National Railroad's former Illinois Central Crawford Yard east of west suburban Cicero Illinois, are the locomotives and crew required for the switching dutties taking place during My visit.

Digital Live Sound Video: Early morning snow plowing activity in Glenview Illinois. January 2010.

I photographed this digital live sound video on My way to work one morning in January of 2010.

The greater Chicagoland area has been struck with an overnight heavy lake effect snowstorm. Seen here around the time the snow stopped falling around 5:41 AM, is a dark green snowplow equipped dump truck from the Village of Glenview Department of Public Works.

The truck is viewed heading westbound on Chestnut Avenue, where it will cross the train tracks and head north on Lehigh Avenue. It was an all morning clean up job.

Northbound intermodal train on the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad line. La Grange Park Illinois USA. January 1987.

I took this photo way back in January of 1987.

We are facing northbound on the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad line in west suburban La Grange Park Illinois. Seen here just north of the Burlington Northern flyover junction at a location known as Congress Park, is a northbound intermodal double stack container train. I arrived at this location just in time, to photograph the rear of the train passing through.

Northbound Union Pacific local freight train. Glenview Illinois USA. January 2010.

I took this photo a few days ago during My morning lunch break.

A northbound Union Pacific Railroad local freight train, is seen passing the West Lake Avenue railroad crossing in north suburban Glenview Illinois.

This train is traveling over the Union Pacific Railroad's former Chicago & Northwestern Railroad freight only cut off line with a short train in tow.

Unfortunately, it was bitterly cold and windy at the time of this photo, and My digital camera batteries "Died" immediately on the scene after I snapped this photo.
It was too bad, because on the rear end of the train was a former Chicago & Northwestern Railroad bay window caboose that was still painted in the colors and markings of the fallen flag railroad Chicago & NorthWestern. Rats!!!

Better luck next time.

Wintertime at the Fox River Trolley Museum. South Elgin Illinois USA. December 2007.

I took this photo one sunny but cold December afternoon, in 2007.

As I was heading northbound on Illinois U.S Route #31 in the town of South Elgin Illinois, I couldn't resist the opportunity and took a few snap shots of the Fox River Trolley Museum wich was closed for the season at the time.

This is an off season view of the museum's equipment and facilities in a snowy winter setting.

Southbound Amtrak Hiawatha train speeding through The Glen of North Glenview Metra commuter rail station. Glenview Illinois USA. Febuary 2008.

I took this photo on a typical overcast Winter morning back in Febuary of 2008.

A speeding southbound Amtrak Hiawatha regional passenger train enroute to Chicago Union Station from Milwaukee Wisconsin, soars right through The Glen of North Glenview Metra commuter rail station at high speed, kicking snow dust up in it's wake. Whoooooosh!!!!

New link added to Eddie's Railfan Page! Historic railroad photos from Fallen Flags. Org

Just recently, I had discovered a really cool railroad photo page on the internet from an orginization knows as Fallen Flags.Org

I was so impressed by what I had seen at their photo site, that I decided to add them as a "links Page" to the right of Your computer screen.

I am sure that many fellow railfans and transportation enthusiasts like Myself proboubly already know about Fallen Flags. Org. For those however that actually have never heard of them, I highly recommend viewing their site.

Just click on the link at the right of Your computer screen, or simply log on to their web address at www.rr-fallenflags.org

It was worth a visit for this local Chicago area railfan. I think You may enjoy this.

Silent Digital Video: CSX Transportation Co switching local at work. Forest Park Illinois USA. June 2007.

I photographed this silent digital video one hot summer day in June of 2007 with My old digital camera that I no longer have.

We are looking west from the Harlem Avenue overpass bridge in west suburban Forest Park Illinois. A CSX Transportation Company railroad crew working a switching local, is viewed shoving a cut of covered hoppers westbound, to the nearby Ferrera Pan Candy Company railroad spur siding.

Westbound Canadian National freight train. North Riverside Illinois USA. September 2006.

I took this photo after work one late afternoon in September of 2006.

After a hard day of work at one of My former jobs, I decided to head out to one of My favorite places in the greater Chicagoland area known as Commons Park in west suburban North Riverside Illinois.

It was a quiet evening with rain clouds forming in the western sky, but still a good time to relax in the fresh air and pleasant outdoor park setting.

Operating adjacent to the north perimeter of Commons Park, is the Canadian National ex Illinois Central Railroad, Iowa Division Mainline. A slow moving westbound CN train has just left the former Illinois Central Hawthorne Yard a few miles east of here in west suburban Cicero Illinois, and is now passing alongside Commons Park just east of Des Plaines Avenue.

Approximately one hour later, the greater Chicagoland area was pelted with heavy torrential rain and frequent thunderstorms. It was a wet night ahead.

Southbound Union Pacific / Wisconsin Electric Power Co empty unit coal train. Glenview Illinois USA. January 2010.

I took this photo a few days ago during My morning lunch break.

We are at the West Lake Avenue railroad crossing in north suburban Glenview Illinois facing east.

Seen here heading southbound diagonally across West Lake Avenue, is a Union Pacific Railroad empty unit coal train from the Wisconsin Electric Power Company in Pleasant Prairie Wisconsin. This train is passing through the western end of Glenview Illinois over the Union Pacific's former Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad freight only cut off line. The Wisconsin Electric Power Company uses a lot of coal, and recieves it's unit coal train shipments from the Union Pacific Railroad, as well as the BNSF Railway.

Freight trains from the Canadian Pacific, Union Pacific, and the BNSF Railway pass over this railroad line daily. Canadian Pacific and BNSF Railway freight trains heading north over the former Milwaukee Road north line, travel this line to the interchange in Northbrook Illinois and proceed north.

The Canadian Pacific ex Milwaukee Road north line, is maintained to keep the section from Northbrook to Chicago Illinois almost exclusively Amtrak and Metra. Freight trains do occasionally operate on this section once in a great while, but run as extras. The Union Pacific freight only cut off line takes the freight trains of the former Milwaukee Road north line, operating south of Northbrook Illinois.

A City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation snowplow truck heading south on N Clark Street. Chicago Illinois USA. December 2006.

I took this photograph during a heavy lake effect snowstorm in traffic one morning, back in December of 2006.

I was heading northbound on North Clark Street approaching the three way intersection at West Diversey and North Broadway Avenues, when I spotted the lights of an approaching City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation International snowplow truck heading south.

This crew and many other ones that were dispatched that morning, had their hands full with the heavilly falling snow and high winds. Not a pleasant morning to be out.

This photo was taken in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood near the lakefront.

Digital Live Sound Video: Northbound Metra commuter local crossing Dempster Street. Morton Grove Illinois USA. January 2009.

I photographed this digital live sound video one sunny Winter afternoon last year, back in January of 2009.

A northbound Metra local enroute to Fox Lake Illinois has just departed from the nearby Morton Grove Metra commuter rail station, and is viewed crossing dempster Street at Lehigh Avenue.

Chicago's NorthWestern Station. ( Gone.) Chicago Illinois USA. January 1984.

I took this photo in downtown Chicago Illinois, during a January 1984 visit to the soon to be demolished 1911 built Northwestern Station.

We are looking west at what I believe to be the intersection of West Washington and North Clinton Streets in the western outlying section of downtown Chicago Illinois.

The stations main concourse building was demolished begining around June of 1984, but the ornate train shed section with the tall ornate brick walls pictured here, was saved and is still in use today minus the Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad logo.

This facility today, is now known as The Richard B. Ogilvie Transportation Center. It was named after the late Illinois State Govoner who served in the late 1960's and early 1970's.

Southbound Canadian Pacific unit grain train. Baneckburn Illinois USA. January 2010.

I took this photo recently one morning in January of 2010.

Heading southbound along the west side of Illinois U.S Route # 43 / Waukegan Road in far north suburban Baneckburn Illinois, is a heavy Canadian Pacific Railroad unit grain train with several tons in tow. The lead diesel unit in the background is a weather beaten Canadian Pacific unit that was due for a much needed paint job, while the two trailing units are former Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad locomotives acquired by the Canadian Pacific through merger in 2009.

This rail line is the Canadian Pacific owned former Milwaukee Road north line.

Westbound BNSF Railway one car extra movement. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

There is nothing like visiting an old favorite railfan haunt location from Your past that You haven't visited in years, and to actually be there with a camera in hand when a really unique photo opportunity surprises You at the right time.

I took this photo one sunny but very cold and windy Winter morning, back in January of 2007.

We are on the southwest side of Chicago, facing west from South Lawndale Avenue at approximately what would be West 49th Street. I just happened to be there when this BNSF Railway one car extra was departing from their nearby ex A,T & S,F Corwith Yard.
The train is slowly heading westbound over a heavilly ballasted Belt Railway of Chicago owned single track branchline. The train is being pulled by a former Burlington Northern Railroad 1970's era EMD model SD 40-2 roadswitcher. The one car, is a double stacked well container car used on intermodal trains.

I discovered this location in 1977 when I began attending Curie High School just across the tracks, and fell in love with it. I hung out here a lot and began regular lineside railfanning. Although I have always enjoyed trains as a kid, I consider this location the true birthplace of My railfaning experience.

The elevated railroad tracks on the embankment in the background, are those of the Chicago Transit Authority's orange line rapid transit to Chicago's Midway Airport.
Prior to December of 1988, this was actually the ground leval and unfortunately poorly maintained Stockyards branchline of the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad.
The CTA orange line opened in November of 1993.

Winter landscape. Glenview Illinois USA. December 2009.

I took this photo one sunny morning recently, in December of 2009.

Winter once again is now upon the greater Chicagoland area. I took this lovely seasonal Winter image on location near Lehigh Avenue and Thistle Lane, in north suburban Glenview Illinois.

Although Winter can be a cold and gray time of the year, it does indeed have it's occasional moments of beauty as well.

Digital Live Sound Video: Speeding northbound Metra commuter train. Baneckburn Illinois USA. January 2010.

I photographed this diigital live sound video one morning in January of 2010, in far north suburban Baneckburn Illinois.

A northbound Metra commuter train, is viewed speeding alongside Illinois U.S Route # 43 / Waukegan Road just south of the railroad crossing at Illinois U.S Route # 22 Half Day Road on a windy and overcast Winter morning.

Eastbound Belt Railway of Chicago transfer train departing Clearing Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. January 1987.

I took this photo on a Saturday afternoon way back in January of 1987, after a heavy all morning lake effect snowstorm had fallen on the city of Chicago.

I spent part of the afternoon taking railfan photos in a surreal winter wonderland setting at Hayford Junction in Chicago's Ashburn neighborhood. With clearance granted from the railroad dispatcher, an eastbound Belt Railway of Chicago heavy transfer train departs Clearing Yard with fresh snow on the ground.

Railroad security patroling the BNSF Railway Corwith Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo one overcast Winter morning back in January of 2007, at the site of the former Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Corwith Yard, wich is now owned and operated by succesor company BNSF Railway.

I took this photo I believe on West 41st Street approximately 4 to 5 blocks east of South Pulaski Road. West 41st Street dead ends here at the west edge of Corwith Yard near the site of the locomotive servicing facility.

A railroad police department sport utility vechicle stands guard on private property, while two locomotives that are still wearing the pre 1995 colors of predecesor railroad
Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe roll by in the near background.

Indiana Harbor Belt rebuilt EMD NW-2 switcher # 9739 in 1983 wearing the orange 1980 color scheme.

I found this phjoto on the internet courtesy of an excelent internet site known as Fallen Flags. org

This historic Chicago area railroad photo and several other wonderful selections can be viewed at their web address at www.rr-fallenflags.org

The orange color scheme used on todays Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad locomotives was introduced in 2005. The plain orange color scheme shown here, was introduced by the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad way back in the year of 1980. ( It didn't last long.)

When I attended Chicago's Curie High School from 1977 to 1981, I would occasionally see one or two of the IHB EMD switchers assigned to the IHB Stockyards branchline local wich passed behind Curie High School, until the line was abandoned in December of 1988. Today portions of the former IHB Stockyards branch, are now the CTA orange line rapid transit to Chicago Midway Airport.

This photo that was taken in 1983, did not give an exact location other than it was near the ICG / Illinois Central Gulf mainline. I believe that this could have been taken in west suburban Broadview Illinois, as the IHB passes underneath the former ICG Iowa Division Mainline near 25th Avenue and West Roosevelt Road.

Switching the Norfolk Southern Railroad Landers Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. Febuary 1986.

I took this photo looking south near the three way intersection of West 79th Street, Southwest Highway (Columbus) and South Kedzie Avenue at the border of Chicago's Ashburn and adjacent Wrightwood neighborhoods on the southside of the city.

Switching activity at the Norfolk Southern Landers Yard, breaks the silence of a very quiet and overcast Saturday afternoon in Febuary of 1986.

The CTA Kedzie Avenue / Logan Square blue line subway entrance. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo while in stop and go slow moving rush hour traffic one Winter morning, back in January of 2007.

A local icon landmark in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood on the northside of the city, is the Chicago Transit Authority's blue line subway entrance on North Kedzie Avenue near diagnal Milwaukee Avenue. Here is the subway entrance on a sunny but very cold Winter morning. Nothing says "Logan Square"...like a subway entrance that actually says "Logan Square". At least in Chicago anyway.

Eastbound Canadian Pacific transfer freight train. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. Febuary 2008.

I took this photo on a sunny but bitterly Winter afternoon back in Febuary of 2008.

An eastbound Canadian Pacific transfer freight train, is viewed passing the 75th Avenue railroad crossing in near northwest suburban Elmwood Park Illinois. This train is enroute to Cragin Junction at Grand and Cicero Avenues in Chicago, where it will then interchange on to the Belt Railway of Chicago and head southbound to Clearing Yard in Bedford Park Illinois.

The Memphis Main Street Trolley. Memphis Tennesee USA. September 2007.

I took this photo during a September 2007 vacation to the city of Memphis Tennesee.

Seen here preparing to head southbound on Main Street in downtown Memphis, is a Gomaco replica of a 1920's era Birney two truck safety car.

Eastbound BNSF Railway unit coal train slowly approaching the Prairie Avenue railroad creossing. Brookfield Illinois USA. Dec 2006.

I took this photo on a sunny and rather unusually mild morning in December of 2006.
An eastbound BNSF Railway unit coal train, is viewed slowly approaching the Prairie Avenue railroad crossing in west suburban Brookfield Illinois.

Time to deliver the doughnuts. The CTA / Pace Rosemont transfer station. Rosemont Illinois USA. December 2009.

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

The Dunkin Doughnuts concession stand inside Chicago's O'Hare International Airport nearby, is recieving a fresh supply of doughnuts, Pastries and various other restaurant odds and ends.

Not equipped or "Blessed" with the eqipment to actually prepare their own freshly baked doughnuts and pastries, this concession stand requires them to be delivered.

Digital Live Sound Video: Northbound Metra evening rush hour local arriving in Northbrook Illinois. January 2010.

I photographed this digital live sound video one evening after work, in January 2010.

A northbound Metra commuter local enroute to Fox Lake Illinois from Chicago Union Station, is viewed arriving in north suburban Northbrook Illinois. The locomotive up front, is a unique ex Milwaukee Road 1974 vintage EMD model F-40C passenger locomotive. Milwaukee Road owned the only model of this kind.

Westbound Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad transfer train. Franklin Park Illinois USA. September 2006.

I took this photo on an overcast morning back in September of 2006.

Seen here is a westbound Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad transfer train made up of Auto Racks, heading over the Canadian Pacific Railroad line to their nearby Bensenville Yard.

Eastbound Metra local at the Elmwood Park station. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. Febuary 2008.

I took this photo on a sunny but very cold Winter afternoon back in Febuary of 2008.

An eastbound Metra evening rush hour local enroute to Chicago Union Station, has just arrived in near northwest suburban Elmwood Park Illinois. The commuter train is seen idling in the station just before departure.

Speeding southbound Metra commuter train. Baneckburn Illinois USA. January 2010.

I took this photo recently one morning, in January 2010.

Seen here is a speeding southbound Metra commuter train. This train was photographed racing along the west side of Illinois U.S Route # 43 / Waukegan Road, in far north suburban Baneckburn Illinois.

Belt Railway of Chicago caboose # 126 at Clearing Yard. Bedford Park Illinois USA. July 2007.

I took this photo after work one hot summer afternoon, back in July of 2007.

Seen here near the north entrance to the Belt Railway of Chicago Clearing Yard just east of South Central Avenue, is red wide vision caboose # 126.

The site of the original Home Run Inn Pizzeria on West 31st Street. Chicago Illinois USA.

Hi everyone!

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

Although Eddie's Railfan Page is a primarilly railroad oriented transportation blogsite from North America's own railroad capitol "Chicago", ( of course.)
Chicago is also known as the Pizza Capitol of the Midwest.

Pizza has always been a popular food topic in Chicago for many years.
This is a photo of the current Home Run Inn Pizzeria at the site of the original one that was opened by the Perino family here in 1945. This is on West 31st Street in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood, on the near southwest side of the city.

When I visited the original Home Run Inn with My family as a kid during the 1960's and early 1970's...It was nothing more than a little neighborhood street corner tavern that served really great pizza.

During the mid 1970's, the old tavern was demolished, and this new large modern building with an upstairs banquette room replaced the original one. Soon the business began marketing frozen Home Run Inn Pizzas in the grocery stores, as well as "New" Home Runn Inn franchise retaurant locations around the greater Chicagoland area.

It is still the same great pizza I knew as a kid. Great recipe! Mmmmmmmm!

Digital Live Sound Video: Southbound Canadian Pacific unit grain train. Baneckburn Illinois USA. January 2010.

A great place to view mainline railroading in the greater Chicagoland area, is far north suburban Baneckburn Illinois alongside Illinois U.S Route # 43 / Waukegan Road, just south of the intersection at Illinois U.S Route # 22 / Half Day Road.

Seen here is a Canadian Pacific Railroad heavy unit grain train, traveling southbound over the former Milwaukee Road north line with several tons of grain hoppers in tow.

Notice the two former Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad locomotives in the engine consist up front.

Northbound Amtrak Hiawatha train departing from the Glenview station. Glenview Illinois USA. January 2010.

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

It is approximately 10:42 AM in north suburban Glenview Illinois.

With all the passengers onboard and accounted for, the northbound Amtrak Hiawatha regional passenger train, is viewed departing Glenview Illinois enroute to Milwaukee Wisconsin. It is a very popular train with several arrivals and departures daily.

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

I took this photo during a June visit to Hawthorne Junction at the Chicago city limits. I am standing on the "Cicero" side of the border immediately west of the Belt Railway of Chicago crosstracks.

A southbound Canadian National transfer freight train has recieved clearance from the railroad dispatcher, and is now heading southbound over the Belt Railway of Chicago enroute to Clearing Yard in Bedford Park Illinois.

Eastbound Metra commuter local arriving at the Elmwood Park station. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. Febuary 2008.

I took this photo on a very sunny but bitterly cold Winter afternoon in Febuary of 2008.

An eastbound late afternoon rush hour Metra commuter local, is viewed arriving at the Elmwood Park Metra commuter rail station near Grand Avenue. This train is operating over the Canadian Pacific ex Milwaukee Road west line to Elgin Illinois.

Grand Trunk Western streamlined 4-8-4 passenger steam locomotive # 6408. Chicago Illinois USA. 1938.

I found this wonderful "Gem" of a vintage Chicago railroad photograph on the internet recently.

This photo and several other really great ones like it, are at a site known as Fallen Flags. Org wwww.rr-fallenflags.org I have been a big fan of the Grand Trunk Western for many years now, and with stylish modern streamlined passenger locomotives like this back in the day.. who couldn't admire this image?

Although the GTW didn't save any of their streamlined 6400 series 4-8-4's at the end of the steam era, parent company Canadian National did north of the border. Canadian National streamlined 4-8-4 steam locomotive # 6400 is on display today at the National Museum of Science and Technology in Ottawa Ontario Canada.
It is preserved and lovingly maintained indoors in all of it's olive green, black and gold glory.

Digital Live Sound Video: MTH O'Scale 1950's era CTA 6000 series lightweight rapid transit train. Chicagoland Hobby. 6017 Northwest Highway. Chicago.

I photographed and narated this digital live sound video clip, during a recent January 2010 visit to Chicagoland Hobby at 6017 Northwest Highway in Chicago's Norwood Park neighborhood.

An MTH O' Scale operating model of a 1950's era Chicago Transit Authority, 6000 series lightweight rapid transit train...is viewed operating on the stores in house elevated line.

Hmmmm. Maybe this could be the ficticious "Norwood Park" branch of the CTA elevated system. Ha Ha Ha!

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

I took this photo on a December 1990 visit to Argo Tower and Junction in southwest suburban Summit Illinois.

A northbound IHB transfer train powered by rebuilt 1950's era EMD NW-2 yard switcher locomotives, is viewed passing through the Illinois Central ex Gulf, Mobile & Ohio crosstracks just south of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.

Chicago's Kiddieland Amusement Park site. Melrose Park Illinois USA. Thursday, December 31st 2009.

A sad local Chicago area news story in 2009, was the closing of Kiddieland Amusement Park in near northwest suburban Melrose Park Illinois.

Kiddieland closed for good on Sunday, September 27th 2009 after 81 years in operation. This photo was taken along the east fence on Thursday, December 31st 2009.
It is a sad sight just seeing how even the signs and lighted panels on the Scooters / Bumper Car ride have already been removed.

Two former Burlington Northern RR EMD roadswitchers on the south hump at Corwith Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo on a very brightly sunlit Winte morning back in January of 2007.

We are facing east along the north side of West 47th Street, just west of the intersection of South Archer Avenue. From a distance, these two BNSF Railway ex Burlington Northern EMD roadswitchers...look like they are being posed on an N Scale model train layout.

Digital Live Sound Video: Speeding southbound Amtrak Hiawatha train. Northbrook Illinois USA. January 2010.

I photographed this digital loive sound video after work one evening last week.

Stand back! Whooooosh!!!!!

A speeding six car Amtrak Hiawatha train enroute to Chicago from Milwaukee Wisconsin, rushes through the Northbrook Metra commuter rail station at a high rate of speed.

Two Burlington Northern freight trains meet west of Brainard Avenue. La Grange Illinois USA. January 1987.

I took this photo in January of 1987, in west suburban La Grange Illinois.

Two Burlington Northern freight trains meet and pass each other west of the Brainard Avenue railroad crossing, on the BN's three track Chicago to Aurora mainline.

A Winter scene in a southside Chicago railroad scrapyard. Chicago Illinois USA. Febuary 1986.

I took this photo at a location I recall to be around South California Avenue at approximately West 75th Street. This was in the former Chesapeke & Ohio / Pere Marquette Railroad - Rockwell Street Yard in Chicago's Wrightwood neighborhood.

A small local railroad scrap yard used to occupy the former C & O yard, wich has been abandoned for many years at this location. With the Southern Railroad and the Norfolk & Western merging in 1982 to become todays Norfolk Southern Railroad, several of their older 1st and 2nd generation EMD locomotives became surplus.

Eddie K enjoying some fresh air on His morning lunch break. January 2010.

Hello everyone!

Welcome aboard the "Bus Day" edition of Eddie's Railfan Page.

As I have been mentioning quiete bit lately, many of the recent photos and videos taken here for Your viewing pleasure at Eddie's Railfan Page, were taken during My morning lunch break.

This lunch time photo was taken of Me during the first week of January 2010.
Yes...I did have My camera with Me, and I captured some fine Amtrak and Metra images for the blog site that day.

I am currently pursuing a career as a Paratransit / Handicapped bus driver.

Bus Stop and No parking snow removal signs on NorthWest Highway. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2010.

I took this photo one morning during My lunch break last week on Chicago's far northwest side.

Seen here on Northwest Highway in Chicago's Norwood Park neighborhood, are an everyday example of the kind of signs that one can find near a corner bus stop.

CTA maintenance department salt spreader trucks parked at the Forest Glen Garage. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo looking in from an open front gate at the Chicago Transit Authority's large Forest Glen garage and maintenance facility on North Elston Avenue.

Aside from the snowplow trucks already dispatched to the main streets during a snowstorm from the City Of Chicago Department Of Streets And Sanitation, the Chicago Transit Authority has a fleet of their own to make sure that the main bus routes remain clear as well.

This is yet another example of the support vechicles used by a transit agency.

1960's era CTA Flxible bus rebuilt in to a work bus. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo looking through an open front gate, at the CTA's large Forest Glen Garage and maintenance facility on North Elston Avenue.

After many years of operation on Chicago's city streets, the Chicago Transit Authority finally retired the old 1960's era Flxible buses from passenger service during the year of 1986. After retirement, a handful went on to become maintenance work services buses.

This 1960's ers Flxible, apparently seems to have been recently rebuilt with parts from now retired 1985 M.A.N transit buses.

Chicago Transit Authority armoured car at the Granville Avenue rapid transit station. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo one Winter morning back in January of 2007.

This is an image of one of the many behind the scenes support operations of a large public transit agency at work.

This CTA armoured car, is parked facing east on West Granville Avenue in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood. The crew from this heavy truck, is no doubt collecting and transporting the fares recieved at this CTA rapid transit station.

Westbound Pace bus on Miner Street passing the Desplaines Theatre. Des Plaines Illinois USA. Febuary 2008.

I took this photo one Winter morning back in Febuary of 2008.

A westbound suburban Pace bus, has just pulled away from the curb and is passing the Desplaines Theatre on Miner Street in downtown Des Plaines Illinois.

A size comparison of buses on South Canal Street. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo one Winter morning, back in January o 2007.

Seen here on the east side of South Canal Street near West Roosevelt Road, are an example of the different sizes that passenger bus come in, as well as their unique body styles. The school bus in the back looks very squatty compared to the tall over the road long distance bus up front.

This location is just south of downtown Chicago Illinois.

The CTA / Pace Rosemont Transfer Terminal on River Road. Rosemont Illinois USA. December 2009.

One of the many locations around the greater Chicagoland area where I often have to sit and wait for passengers to transfer to and from other Paratransit companys, is the CTA Rosemont Transfer Terminal on River Road near Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. It is a very busy and quiet noisy location in Chicago's northwestern suburbs.

A wintertime morning commuting ritual in the greater Chicagoland area. December 2009.

Hi everybody!

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