Friday, July 30, 2010

Coca Cola delivery in progress at Mustard's Last Stand Hot Dogs. Evanston Illinois. July 2010.

I took this photo during My lunch break recently.

A delivery of soft drink supplies from Coca Cola, is being recieved at the locally popular Mustard's Last Stand Hot Dogs on Central Street, in north suburban Evanston Illinois.

The new Glenview Public Library building nearing completion. Glenview Illinois. June 2010.

I took this photo one bright sunny morning back in June of 2010.

The New Glenview Public Library building was nearing completion along Harlem Avenue at Glenview Road in north suburban Glenview Illinois.

Unfortunately, a three week State of Illinois construction workers strike had set things back a bit. Construction has since resumed and the new facility will be opening soon.

The old Glenview Public Library building on the immediate west side of the building built in 1967, will soon be meeting the wrecking ball.

Westbound U.P transfer train at Hayford JCT. Early Sept 1990.

I took this photo one pleasant Saturday afternoon, way back in early September of 1990.

We are on location at Hayford Junction, located at West 75th Street and South Central Park Avenue in Chicago's Ashburn neighborhood.

Seen here heading slowly westbound over the Belt Railway of Chicago tracks, is a Union Pacific transfer freight train approaching the Grand Trunk Western crosstracks at Hayford Junction, enroute to the Belt Railway of Chicago Clearing Yard in nearby Bedford Park Illinois.

Notice the large red Missouri Pacific markings on the side of the lead locomotive. The Union Pacific Railroad had acquired the Missouri Pacific through merger in the year of 1982. Some former Missouri Pacific locomotives recieved yellow and gray Union Pacific colors with red U.P style Missour Pacific lettering after the merger.

The GTW Elsdon Yard office and staging track. Chicago Illinois. December 1984.

I took this photo on a dry but very overcast Saturday afternoon way back in December of 1984.

This photo was taken looking north from adjacent West 51st Street just east of South Lawndale Avenue in Chicago's Elsdon neighborhood.

After the Grand Trunk Western Railroad had officially closed their Elsdon Yard facility at this location, the little yard office had served as a crew terminal and light maintenance depot until September of 1986. Locomotives were often fueled on site here by tractor trailer semi tank trucks, but unfortunately never when I had My camera with Me.

This was what was left of anything resembling Elsdon operations after the roundhouse at West 49th Street and South Kedzie Avenue, as well as Elsdon Yard itself had closed in October of 1983.

Eastbound yellow CCC garbage truck from the Skokie Public Works Refuse Collection Division. Skokie Illinois. July 2010.

I took this photo recently during My morning lunch break, while driving through north suburban Skokie Illinois.

We are heading westbound on Church Street approaching the intersection of Skokie Boulevard. (Cicero Avenue to southsiders)

A yellow CCC garbage truck from the Skokie Public Works Refuse Collection Divisision passes us by on the left.

Northbound CTA Purple line train. Wilmette Illinois. July 2010.

I took this photo recently at the Isabella Street CTA Purple line railroad crossing, in north suburban Wilmette Illinois. The unusual tilted angle is caused from holding My camera over the top of a tall chain link fence.

Seen here is a northbound CTA Purple line train on approach to the nearby Linden Avenue terminal at the end of the line just two city blocks north of here.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Historic Photo! Northbound Chicago Motor Coach Co 1940's era White transit bus picking up passengers on South Cicero Avenue. Chicago Illinois. 1946.

Correction!

The text on this photo posting for the Wednsday, July 27th, 2010 posting for Eddie's Railfan Page, was incorrectly described as a Chicago Motor Coach Company bus heading eastbound on West 63rd Street near South Central Avenue.

I was wrong. (Sorry.)

One of My readers wrote Me with a correct photo location along the east side of Midway Airport on South Cicero Avenue and west 61st Street. Although I am a southsider too, I misjudged the location Myself.

Thank You.

Eddie K.

Digital Live Sound Video: Northbound Metra evening rush hour commuter train . Glenview Illinois. June 2010.

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

We are on location at the Chestnut Avenue railroad crossing in north suburban Glenview Illinois. A northbound Metra evening express commuter train enroute to Fox Lake Illinois over the former Milwaukee Road north line, passes us at speed on a hot summer evening in June of 2010.

Coming Soon! My Chicagoland Railfan Photo Slideshow! Saturday, September 25th 2010 at The Franklin Park Public Library!



Hello again everyone! This is Eddie K Your host and photographer here
at Eddie's Railfan Page. I bring You some very good news.

I will be once again hosting My Chicagoland Railfan Photo Slideshow on Saturday, September 25th, 2010 from 11:00 AM unil 1:00 PM at The Franklin Park Public Library.
The library is located at 10311 West Grand Avenue just east of Illinois U.S Routes # 12 and #45, in near northwest suburban Franklin Park Illinois.

If You enjoy trains or historic transportation subjects, then this is the show for You. It will be a fun occasion, with a chance to meet some of Your fellow railfans.

We look foreward to seeing You there.

All A-Booooaaard!

Westbound Amtrak train approaching Brighton junction. Chicago Illinois. April 1984.

I took this lovely photograph in April of 1984.

The annual Springtime greens of Chicago's seasonal landscape have not arrived yet to Brighton Junction, located at South Archer and Western Avenues, but apparently...a westbound Amtrak train has.

This was one of My early 35mm railfan photos.

The Denny's restaurant on North Harlem Avenue. Norridge Illinois. July 2010.

I took this photo after work one evening last week.

With the hot late day summer sun heading towards the western sky before sunset and a full parking lot, it is definately non other than dinnertime at the Denny's restaurant on North Harlem Avenue in near northwest suburban Norridge Illinois.

This view is looking south on North Harlem Avenue, just north of the intersection of West Montrose Avenue.

Canadian National EMD road switcher running light. Schiller Park Illinois. July 2010.

I took this photo recently one morning during My lunch break, in July of 2010.

A northbound solo running Canadian National EMD roadswitcher, is viewed heading in to a small freight yard under an expressway overpass bridge in northwest suburban Schiller Park Illinois near Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

CTA Skokie Swift train at Dempster Street station. Skokie Illinois. January 2004.

I took this photo in January of 2004, on location at the Chicago Transit Authority's Dempster Street yellow line terminal in north suburban Skokie Illinois.

This line began operations as the CTA Skokie Swift Line on April 30th, 1964 after a 5 mile section of the bankrupt and abandoned Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee interurban railroad's Skokie Valley Mainline had been salvaged and repaired by the Chicago Transit Authority for rapid transit service connecting the citties of Skokie and Evanston Illinois.

2004 was the last year that the segment from Dempster Street in Skokie, until the railroad crossing at East Prairie Road at the Evanston border, would be operated under overhead catenary wire and rooftop mounted Pantographs.

In September of 2004, the entire line was converted to 100% third rail operation. However, many of the old former Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee Railroad catenary wire girder support bridges are still in place yet.

The demolition of Chicago's Kiddieland Amusement Park site. Melrose Park Illinois. Monday, July 26th, 2010.

I took this photo after work Monday evening this week.

We are facing south along the driveway that leads to Triton College in near northwest suburban Melrose Park Illinois. The pile of dirt ,rubble and debris in the immediate foreground, was the site of the Pit Stop Go Kart Track, located along the northern border of Kiddieland Amusement Park. The rest of the scene, was just recently Chicago's Kiddieland Amusement Park.

It is hard to believe that this "Tiny" amusement park actually survived here for 81 years. I couldn't believe how small the place actually was.

Work is already under way to erect a new Costco store at this location, as evidenced by the staged construction equipment in the background.

Westbound BNSF Railway freight train. Riverside Illinois. July 2007.

I took this photo on a hot and humid summer morning, back in July of 2007. A westbound BNSF Railway freight train is seen passing through the west suburban Riverside Illinois Metra commuter rail station.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Historic photo! Chicago Motor Coach Company GMC transit bus heading southbound on Michigan Avenue. Chicago Illinois. July 1955.

Hi everyone!

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

I found this historic 1950's era Chicago photo on the internet today. One of the company's that made up todays Chicago Transit Authority, was the Chicago Motor Coach Comapny wich joined the 1947 formed CTA in the year of 1952.

First Transit 2008 Ford paratransit bus # 5157 on a foggy winter morning. Elk grove Village Illinois. Late February 2010.

I took this photo at work recently this past winter.

Seen here in suburban Elk Grove Village Illinois on a foggy winter morning in February of 2010, is First Transit 2008 Ford paratransit bus # 5157. A good running bus any time of the year, and a real pleasure to drive.

Temporary Pace bus storage facility at the Metra, Lake Cook Road commuter rail station. Deerfield Illinois. June 2010.

I took this photo recently in the parking lot of the Metra, Lake Cook Road commuter rail station in far north suburban Deerfield Illinois.

I spotted this row of off duty suburban Pace buses parked inside of this temporary makeshift rental fencing put together on short notice.

These buses are proboubly being staged here until at least the upcoming evening rush hour commuting period.

This type of portable chian link fencing, is the industry standard today at construction and demolition sites.

Historic Photo! Chicago Motor Coach Company White transit bus # 3483 heading eastbound on West 63rd Street alongside Chicago's Midway Airport. Chicago Illinois. October 1946.

I found this historic photo from Chicago's southwest side on the internet today, and could not resist the opportunity to post it today.

Seen here from a website called Nor Cal Bus Fans, is this old historic photo of an eastbound Chicago Motor Coach Company 1940's era White transit bus on West 63rd Street just east of the intersection at South Central Avenue.

In the background is non other than Chicago's Midway Airport along the north side of West 63rd Street. Opened in 1926, it was origianlly named Chicago Municipal Airport. After World War 2, it was renamed to Chicago Midway Airport in honor of the 1942 American victory in the battle of Midway Island in the Pacific Theatre of war operations.

Funky looking ex Brittish bus. Norridge Illinois. July 2010.

I took this photo after work yesterday evening in a strip mall parking lot in near northwest suburban Norridge Illinois.

This unusual bus of past Brittish origin, is viewed in colorful paint and garish markings for what appears to be some sort of a traveling carnival and event company based in the state of Michigan.

Like the 1960's era Brittish rock and roll music group The Who said in one of their songs..."Too Much -Magic Bus"!

Wilmette Public Schools District 39 GMC / Bluebird school bus with wheelchair lift door. Glenview Illinois. Late May, 2010.

I took this photo after work recently one lovely Springtime evening, back in May of 2010.

This Bluebird /GMC school bus shown here, is also specially equipped with a wheelchair lift to assist handicapped or special needs passengers.

This bis is employed by the north suburban Wilmette Public Schools District # 39. It is kept in good mechanical shape.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Eddie K driving around on a hot summer day. August 2008.

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

After nearly 2 and a half weeks of technical difficulties...It is absolutely GREAT to be back on line once again on Your computer screen. I missed everyone.

Todays posting, would not have been possible without the help of My really wonderful friend and fellow blogger Tom, from My links page Tom's Photos and Comments to the right of Your computer screen.

Tom gave up some of His valuable time today, to assist Me in getting all of My technical blogsite support functions and settings in working order.

Believe Me, if this was the old TV show Star Trek...Tom would definately be playing the part of "Scotty". L.O.L

Thank You Tom! You have saved My site.
How about a nice round of applause for Tom from Tom's Photos and Comments on My links pages. C'Mon lets hear it everyone.

If You visit Tom's Photos and Comments page...Please be sure to check out His fine photos and storys. Also, please give Him a nice Thank You. OK?

Thanks again everyone.
Eddie K.

Ed and Erv's Centrella Food Mart at 2210 West Touhy Avenue. Chicago Illinois. July 2007.

I took this photo back in the year of 2007.

Chicago wasn't always the fabled land of giant corporate supermarket grocery stores like Jewel / Osco, Dominicks Finer Foods and Superwalmart. For many years, there was an abundance of these quaint and old fashioned family owned Mom and Pop neighborhood grocery stores.

With a tiled front and hand painted letters, Ed and Erv's Centrella Food Mart at 2210 West Touhy Avenue on Chicago's far northside, is a surviving example from those much simpler times of the past.

It is a tiny two aisled grocery store with a butcher shop inside, right out of the 1930's and 40's era. A pleasant image of Chicago neighborhood scenes past.

Digital Live Sound Video: Two trains meet at the Galewood commuter flagstop depot at 7:15 PM. Chicago Illinois. July 2010.

I photographed this digital live sound video recently one evening after work, on location at the Metra, Galewood commuter flagstop depot at North Narragansett and West Mc Clean Avenues on the northside of Chicago.

A quick moving eastbound Canadian Pacific double stack container train, meets a westbound Metra rush hour evening express commuter train at 7:15 PM.

The Coca Cola wave logo introduced in 1970.




The popular and somewhat timeless Coca Coal "Wave" logo, was introduced by the fortune 500 soft drink company in the year of 1970. A long standing icon of many roadside restaurants, concession stands, and grocery stores, this logo has stood the test of time, with new replacement designs coming on board only in recent years.

Eastbound CSX Transportation Company West 16th Street switching local. Cicero Illinois USA. September 2006.




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

With it;s work just about over, the CSX Transportation Company's West 16th Street industrial switching local, pulls a cut of cars from a local factory siding in west suburban Cicero Illinois. This is a former Baltimore & Ohio Railroad branchline that served the industries along West 16th Street in the village of Cicero for many years.

The last streetcar to operate in the city of Chicago Illinois. June 21st, 1958.



It was a sad day in the city of Chicago Illinois on June 21st, 1958, as the Chicago Transit Authority finally pulled the plug on all electric streetcar operations.

Chicago's transit companys were all seperate franchise operations prior to 1914, when the Chicago Surface lines was created due to a public out cry for municipal ownership of the electric streetcar companys. The succesor company Chicago Transit Authority was created in 1945, but did not resume operations until the money was raised to purchase the Chicago Surface Lines and the Chicago Rapid Transit Company in the year of 1947. A few years later, bus operator Chicago Motor Coach Company joined the CTA in 1952.

From the begining, the CTA was in terrible shape as it had inherited rapid transit equipment dating back to the 1890's along with equipment dating back to the 1920's that was already outdated and showing many years of wear and tear. The electric streetcar lines were plaqued with streets clogged with ever increasing automobile traffic as well as the rising cost of maintaining the in street trackage and overhead wires. Streetcars were also prone to accidents on Chicago city streets, one in May of 1950 on South Halsted and 63rd Street very tragic with many fatalities when a streetcar struck a gasoline tanker.

From 1945 onward, streetcar operations were gradually being phased out, while plans were in the works to upgrade the elevated and subway rapid transit lines. The newer streamlined PCC cars like the one shown here, when taken out of service were scrapped, and the electrical and various interior and body components reused in new rapid transit cars manufactured by the St. Louis Car Company. The new lightweight cars were numbered in the 6000 series and were thus named The Six thousand Series cars. They operated until approximately the mid 1990's. Several have been preserved at railroad and trolley museums today.

An era in Chicago's public transportation history came to an official end, on June 21st, 1958.

A former A,T & S,F covered hopper car in transit. Riverside Illinois USA. July 2007.



I took this photo one hot summer morning back in July of 2007.

The Burlington Northern and the Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad companys had merged in the year of 1995, thus becoming todays BNSF Railway. As typical when companys or corporations merge, sometimes it takes a good while to get around to painting over the old colors and markings of the predecessor company.

This former Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe covered hopper car, was photographed in transit aboard a westbound BNSF Railway freight train, passing through the Riverside Illinois Metra commuter rail station.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

The old historic neon Melody Mill Ballroom sign. North Riverside Illinois USA. September 2006.



I took this photo back in September of 2006.

Although the Melody Mill Ballroom in west suburban North Riverside Illinois was demolished around 1977 and replaced by a large modern police and fire station, the old neon Melody Mill Ballroom sign is tucked away in the back of a public works storage yard awaiting possible restoration.

Were Back!



Hi everyone!
After several days of photo blackouts and poor technical support...Eddie's Railfan Page is now officially back in business! This is a TEST POSTING for today. It turns out that a new development has also accoured in regards to the procedures and steps involved at posting photos that GOOGLE did NOT brief Me on.( Shame on them!) We are back up and running, and coming down Your computer screen with much new material.

Thank You for Your patience.

See You soon with some more new photo and story material.

Eddie K.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

News Flash! My Chicagoland Railfan Photo Slideshow returns in the Fall of 2010 with multiple bookings!

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

I will be once again hosting My Chicago Railfan Photo Slideshow this upcoming Autum.

On Saturday, September 25th and on Saturday, October 16th...I will be hosting the event at the Franklin Park Public Library from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM. The Franklin Park Public Library is located at 10311 West Grand Avenue in Franklin Park Illinois.

On Saturday, November 6th, 2010 from 1:00 until 3:00 PM, I will be hosting My Chicagoland Railfan Photo Slideshow at the Elmwood Park Public Library. The Elmwood Park Public Library is located at 1 Conti Parkway Circle (Next to the fire station) in near northwest suburban Elmwood Park Illinois.

So please mark Your calendars for a fun afternoon at any of these librarys this fall.

Thank You.
Eddie K.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Eddie's Railfan Page tenatively scheduled to resume service on Saturday, July 24th, 2010.

Hi everyone!

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

It has been a difficult time that I have been going through these last two weeks with not being allowed to post photos here at My Chicago area railfan blogsite, and believe Me....I miss everyone too.

I purchased additional photo storage space through google.com over the weekend, but they won't reinstate Me until next Saturday, July 24th 2010. It really STINKS being caught in a situation like this that is completely out of My control. I have gone through more channels than a cable TV remote with these people.

If anybody out there could please tell Me of another blogsite server network that at least has some kind of technical support where I could speak to an actual person, I would greatly appreciate that BIG TIME!

I hope to resume service again next week on the 24th.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Friday, July 09, 2010

Eddie's Railfan Page is experiencing technical difficulties!

Due to technical network problems beyond My control, Eddie's Railfan Page from the city of Chicago Illinois is now temporarily out of service until further notice.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Eddie K.

Tuesday, July 06, 2010

Western Pacific GS-64 class 4-8-4 steam locomotive #484 at Stockton California in the year of 1950. From the internet.

Western Pacific Railroad GS 64 Class 4-8-4 steam locomotive # 484. Stockton California 1950. From the internet.

I spotted this photo recently while surfing the internet.

The Western Pacific Railroad was a regional west coast railroad in North America, that existed from 1910 until the merger and acquisition by the Union Pacific Railroad in the year of 1982.

During the late steam era, the Western Pacific also rostered modern semi streamlined 1940's era GS class 4-8-4 Northern type steam locomotives, just like the Southern Pacific Railroad did. The Western Pacific locomotives were powerful and efficient machines, that unfornately came around during World War 2 when the Western Pacific and many other North American railroads were trying to dieselize their locomotive fleets. American wartime restrictions imposed by the goverment due to shortages, dictated that only steam locomotives would be built new during the war until further notice.

The Western Pacific GS-64 class 4-8-4's ended their service lives during the early 1950's in both freight and passenger train service. None have been preserved. Locomotive #484, is shown here at Stockton California way back in 1950.

Westbound Norfolk Southern piggyback train approaching Mc Cook Junction. Mc Cook Illinois USA. January 2007.

WB  Norfolk Southern piggyback train. Mc Cook IL  Jan 2007.

There may not be a trace of snow on the ground in this photo, but the cold sharp winds, straw brown scenery and overcast skies dictate that this is indeed a Winter morning in the greater Chicagoland area.

A westbound Norfolk Southern Railroad piggyback train is viewed approaching the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad crosstracks at Mc Cook Junction, as it moves quickly along the BNSF Railway's former Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe mainline on this January morning back in 2007.

Westbound BNSF Railway Intermodal container train passing through the Riverside station. Riverside Illinois USA. Sunday afternoon, April 4th, 2010.

Westbound BNSF Railway double stack container train. Riverside Illinois. Sunday afternoon, April 4th 2010.

I took this photo on a Sunday afternoon during the early Springtime of this year.

We are facing east along the south or "Eastbound" platform at the west suburban Riverside Illinois Metra commuter rail station.

The silence of a quiet Sunday afternoon, is temporarilly disturbed by the passing of a westbound BNSDF Railway / Intermodal container train passing through the Riverside station.

Monday, July 05, 2010

Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page!

Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee interurban railroad logo. The Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois. Friday, July 3rd 2009.

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

I took this photo during a Friday, July 3rd, 2009 visit to The Illinois Railway Museum, located in the town of Union Illinois.

One of the many artifacts in the museum collection I enjoyed seeing and riding, are the numerous preserved historic electric interurban cars from The Chicago, North Shore And Milwaukee Railroad. This was their corporate logo on the side of one of the museum cars on display in one of the museum barns.

Digital Live Sound Video: Eastbound CTA orange line train departing from the Midway Airport terminal. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2009.



I photographed this digital live sound video during a light rain shower last year in August of 2009.

An eastbound Chicago Transit Authority orange line rapid transit train enroute to downtown Chicago, is viewed departing from the Midway Airport CTA /Pace terminal east of South Cicero Avenue near West 55th Street.

Westbound Canadian National freight train with former GTW locomotives passing through Ash Street Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. June 2007.

Canadian National train with former GTW units passing through Ash Street Junction. Chicago Illinois. June 2007.

I took this photo on an overcast morning back in June of 2007.

A westbound Canadian National freight train being headed up by two former Grand Trunk Western EMD roadswitchers, is viewed slowly passing through the now closed Ash Street Junction tower just south of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal west of South Western Avenue near West 33rd Street.

The 1888 built GTW Elsdon depot on West 51st Street. (Gone.) Chicago Illinois USA. October 1983.

The 1888 built Grand Trunk Western Elsdon depot. Chicago Illinois USA. October 1983.

I took this photo way back in October of 1983.

One of My all time personal favorites amongst historic railroad landmarks on Chicago's southwest side, was the old Grand Trunk Western Railroad Elsdon passenger train station on West 51st Street just east of South Lawndale Avenue in Chicago's Elsdon neighborhood.

I discovered this lovely victorian era two story train station, while I was attending nearby Curie High School from 1977 to 1981/ I used to love hanging out here after school sometimes. It was relaxing just to watch the trains here after a long day in high school before I would head home for the evening.

This photo was taken way back in October of 1983, during what was the last week of operation at the GTW Elsdon Yard, Elsdon Yard was being closed for good by the Grand Trunk Western Railroad at this time. One month later in November of 1983, the old GTW Elsdon depot would be demolished.

It was a good thing I showed up here on location with My camera on that sunny October afternoon back in 1983.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Penn Central 40 foot Hi Cube box car. Herkimer New York USA. 1974. From the internet,

Penn Central Hi Cube box car. Herkimer New York. 1974.

This photo of a now faded and weatherbeaten Penn Central Railroad 40 foot Hi Cube box car, comes to Eddie's Railfan Page from My links page Fallen Flags.Org located to the right of Your computer screen.

The Penn Central Railroad was a short lived northeastern United States eailroad that existed from 1968 until 1976. The PC was created from the 1968 merger of the New York Central, and the Pennsylvania railroads. In the following year of 1969, the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad joined the Penn Central Merger. With more outstanding debt than they could handle, the Penn Central filed for bankruptcy as early as 1970. The PC operated on borrowed time and borrowed funds, until the United States Goverment under the leadership of President Gerald Ford, financially rescued six bankrupt northeastern U.S railroads and created Conrail in April of 1976.

This Penn Central 40 foot Hi Cube box car shows the effects of how the Jade green color scheme originally used by the New York Central and later Penn Central, turns a slightly different shade of green during weathering.

Saint Richard Catholic Parish annual summer carnival. Chicago Illinois. July 1983.

Saint Richard's Catholic Parish annual summer carnival. Chicago Illinois. July 1983.

I recently found some of My earlier 35mm photos I had taken during the 1980's.

In March of 1983, I purchased My first 35mm camera. Seen here from My first year of 35mm photography, was one of My early attempts at shooting night time photos.

A favorite summertime activity I enjoyed doing on the southwest side of Chicago during the 1980's, was hopping the CTA Route # 62 Archer Avenue bus, and heading off to a night of fun at Saint Richard's carnival at West 50th Street and South Kostner Avenue in Chicago's Archer Heights neighborhood near Midway Airport.

Local neighborhood residents are viewed ebjoying a summer night on the carnival midway way back in July of 1983.

Friday, July 02, 2010

The Riverside Illinois, Metra commuter rail station with decorative American 4th of July bunting. Riverside Illinois USA. Early July 2008.

The Riverside Illinois Metra commuter rail station with decorative American 4th of July bunting. Riverside Illinois. Early July 2008.

Hello again everyone!
This Eddie K, Your host and photographer here at Eddie's Railfan Page.

I took this photo two years ago, at the old steam era former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad brick train station in west suburban Riverside Illinois.

Another 4th of July weekend is upon us, and I thought that this photo of the Riverside station all decked out with festive American 4th of July Independence Day bunting, would get everyone in the mood for this very festive summer holiday here in the United States of America.

Happy 4th of July weekend everyone from Eddie's Railfan Page!

Digital Live Sound Video: Northbound Amtrak Hiawatha train passing through the Metra, Lake Cook Road station. Deerfield Illinois USA. June 2010.



I photographed this digital live sound video recently, at the Metra Lake Cook Road commuter rail station in far north suburban Deerfield Illinoiis.

With bright headlights rapidly approaching from the south, I acted quickly and captured this image of the northbound Amtrak Hiawatha enroute to Milwaukee Wisconsin.

Retired Denver & Rio Grande western K-36 narrow guage steam locomotive #486 on display at the Royal Gorge Park in Colorado. July 1981.

D & R G W K-36 # 486 at Royal Gorge Park. Colorado 1981.

I took this photo during a July 1981 family motor coach vacation to the states of Colorado and New Mexico.

I do not recall what town that the Royal Gorge Park was near in the State of Colorado, but that it was a very pleasant place to visit up in the Rocky Mountains.Seen here on display near the entrance, is a very "Stuffed and Mounted" retired former Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad 1920's era Baldwin 3 foot narrow guage K-36 class 2-8-2 Mikado type steam locomotive # 486.

Niles Public Services Elgin street sweeper vechicle heading eastbound on Oakton Street. Niles Illinois USA. Wednsday, June 30th, 2010.

Niles Public Services Elgin street sweeper vechicle. Niles Illinois. Wednsday, June 30th, 2010.

I took this photo two days ago, as I was heading home for My morning lunch break.

We are looking south on Harlem Avenue at the intersection of Oakton Street in north suburban Niles Illinois. A "Newer" Elgin street sweeper vechicle, is viewed heading eastbound on Oakton Street during a hot summer day, performing routine daytime street cleaning maintenance patrols.

The village of Niles Illinois, takes great pride in maintaining the appearance of their city streets and thoroughfares.

German steam in Indiana at The Hesston Steam Museum. Hesston Indiana USA. July 2007.

German steam in Indiana. The Hesston Steam Museum. Hesston Indiana. July 2007.

I took this photo during a July 2007 visit to The Hesston Steam Museum, located in northwest Indiana just south of the border town of New Buffalo Michigan.

A Meter Guage ( U.S 2 Foot Guage) 0-8-0 steam locomotive from the European Nation formerly known as East Germany, is viewed rounding a curve with open coaches originally operated at Chicago's Brookfield Zoo from 1967 until 1985.

The Hesston Steam Museum is a very nice family oriented place to visit. For more information, click on to www.hesston.org

Thursday, July 01, 2010

The Metra Lake Cook Road commuter rail station. Deerfield Illinois USA.

The Lake Cook Road Metra commuter rail station. Deerfield Illinois. Tuesday, March 30th 2010.

The sign just says it all

Historic Chicago Sun Times Newspaper article about the merger that created todays Norfolk Southern Railroad. Wednsday, June 2nd, 1982.

Chicago Sun Times newspaper article from the business section. Wednsday, June 2nd, 1982.

For soe unexplained reason or another...I used to cut out newspaper articles during the 1980's.

I recently found this old article I clipped out from The Chicago Sun Times Newspaper, way back from Wednsday, June 2nd, 1982 in the business section of the newspaper.

The Norfolk & Western Railroad, and the Southern Railroad had both just merged to become todays mighty Norfolk Southern Railroad.
I am glad that I did this back then.

Unfortunately..I was desperately unemployed back then and had lots of unwanted time on My hands.

Things are much better now.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

The Oak Park Society of Model Engineers H.O Scale Model Railroad Club. Oak Park Illinois USA. May 2010.

The Oak Park Society of Model Engineers H.O Scale model railroad club. Oak Park Illinois. May 2010.

I took this photo during a recent May 2010 visit to The Oak Park Society of Model Engineers H.O Scale Model Railroad Club, located in west suburban Oak Park Illinois.

The club has two layouts. The large one that takes up practically the whole basement, and this little 4' x 8' one that was donated by a now dceased member a long timne ago.

A red 4 wheel Athearn Hustler industrial diesel switcher, is viewed posed with some freight cars on the small layout.