Elmwood Park Fire Department Tower Truck # 945. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. Early April 2012.

Elmwood Park Fire Department Tower Truck # 945. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. Early April 2012., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

Hi everyone!

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

I took this photograph recently back in early April of this year.

Elmwood Park Fire Department ariel ladder boom tower truck # 945, is viewed parked in the driveway of the Elmwood Park Illinois Fire Station, in the Conti Parkway Circle.

Eddie's Railfan Page proudly supports all of Our emergency first responders.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

My buddy Anthony C. La Grange Illinois. May 2012.

My buddy Anthony C. La Grange Illinois. May 2012., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

There is nothing like going on location for a fun evening of local railfanning with a camera in hand. Heck! It's even better when You get together with a good friend or two.

Seen here at the Metra La Grange Road Amtrak / Metra commuter rail station in west suburban La Grange Illinois, is My good friend and fellow Chicago railfan Anthony C.

We got together one evening after work last week, for some twilight /nocturanl railfanning in La Grange Illinois.

With the Metra evening rush hour ending, We photographed a parade of freight trains, the eastbound Amtrak Illinois Zephyr, and a few Metra locals.

We had a great time on location at the Ashland Avenue railroad crossing that night.

Thanks Anthony!

Eddie K.

Leviathan at IRM Part 3: Labor Day Weekend

I found this video on You Tube.

Seen here is the visiting "replica" steam locomotive Leviathan, wich was scratchbuilt using plans from the original Central Pacific Railroad's Leviathan, built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1868.

The prototype, was one of several locomotives that were used to build America's first transcontinental railroad during the 1860's.

Flowers on Chicago's northside. September 2006.

Flowers on Chicago's northside. September 2006., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photograph, back in early September of 2006.

A very beautiful garden of flowers, is viewed basking in the sunshine just south of the intersection of West Diversey and North Pine Grove Avenue, in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.

A Union Pacific unit in the locomotive consist. CN transfer train. La Grange Park Illinois. November 2007.

A Union Pacific unit in the locomotive consist. CN transfer train. La Grange Park Illinois. November 2007., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

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

A southbound Canadian National transfer train has just recieved clearance to proceed on the Indiana Harebor Belt Railroad line, and is now crossing 31st Street in La Grange Park Illinois.

A heavy dutty modern EMD roadswitcher from the Union Pacific Railroad, is coupled on to the locomotive consist on the head end of the freight train.

Silent digital video: The Octopus ride in action. Kiddieland Amusement Park. Melrose Park Illinois. June 2007.

Silent digital video: The Octopus ride in action. Kiddieland Amusement Park. Melrose Park Illinois. June 2007. a video by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I photographed this silent digital video with My old camera, back in June of 2007.

Seen here is the Octupuss ride on the east midway, at Chicago's now gone Kiddieland Amusement Park in Melrose Park Illinois.

Kiddieland closed for good after a family dispute amongst the owners in September of 2009.

Today, this is the site of a large Costco wholesale warehouse club store.

The old Tastee Freeze that used to be at South Pulaski Road and West 58th Street in Chicago Illinois. May 1984.

The old Tastee Freeze that used to be at South Pulaski Road and West 58th Street in Chicago Illinois. May 1984., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photograph way back in May of 1984.

This night time photograph, was taken by Me at the former Tastee Freeze roadside soft serve ice cream stand along the east side of South Pulaski Road and West 58th Street, in Chicago's West lawn neighborhood near Midway Airport.

This is still a soft serve ice cream business here today, only now it is a privately owned family operated business. And just like the Tastee Freeze that came before it shown here, it is still a seasonal business that closes in the Autum of any year.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

I have always been a big fan of the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad growing up in Chicago Illinois.

My first actual exposure to the IHB, happened when I attended Curie High School in Chicago Illinois from 1977 to 1981, as the IHB's ricketty and poorly maintained "Stockyards Branch", passed right behind My high school. I fondy remember seeing these dirty and very gritty looking early 1950's era EMD NW 2 switchers, working the Stockyards Branchline local almost daily. In their classic black and white color scheme and a very New York Central like logo, this train was very much like the late 1950's era New York Central Railroad itself in Chicago. Many times the Stockyards local had a jade green caboose with blanked out cupola windows coupled to the rear.

This photograph appears at My link Page Fallen Flags.Org, located to the right of Your computer screen at http://www.rr-fallenflags.org/

Railfan photographer Dennis Schmidt, pghotographed this IHB black and white NW 2 yard switcher in Freanklin Park Illinois, way back in June of 1979.

Happy memories!

Thanks.
Eddie K.

H.O steam excursion crossing the swing bridge.

I photographed this digital live sound video during a recent visit to the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club.

My second hand Athearn Baldwin U.S.R.A  2-8-2 Mikado steam locomotive, is viewed pulling a fantrip excursion train made up of 1920's era B & O Railroad heavywight passenger cars through the swing bridge.

An old advertisement for the Fleetwood Roller Rink. Summit IllinoisUSA. (1960's era.)

An old advertisement for the Fleetwood Roller Rink. Summit Illinois USA. (1960's era.), a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

This classic 1950's and 60's era vintage sign advertisement from the Fleetwood Roller Rink in Summit Illinois, was recently sent to Me by former Summit resident Terry Ritter, who is also a fan of Eddie's Railfan Page. http://eddiesrailroad.blogspot.com

I skated a number of times during the 1970's and early 1980's at the Fleetwood Roller Rink Myself, and have always enjoyed the place.

Although it has been awhile and My personal Married Life and career commitments eat up a lot of My time, I hope to eventually make it back there some time in the future if all goes well.

My Wife is not a skater, but I am and I miss it.

Thank You Terry.
.
Eddie K.

O'Hare Junction on the Canadian National ex Wisconsin Central railroad line. Des Plaines Illinois. May 2012.

O'Hare Junction on the Canadian National ex Wisconsin Central railroad line. Des Plaines Illinois. May 2012., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photograph recently just after sunset, in northwest suburban Des Plaines Illinois.

These two sets of free standing railroad block signals, mark the location of O'Hare Junction along the east side of Illinois Rts # 12 and #45 / Lee Street in northwest suburban Des Plaines Illinois.

During the 1960's on the southside of the city of Chicago Illinois, the huge and very popular Free Fair Carnival on the northwest corner of west 47th Street and South Damen Avenue was the place to be!

This large annual carnival event in Chicago's Back of the yards neighborhood, was sponsored by the Chicago Back Of The Yards Neighborhood Council. Every year, this event would last a record 20 days during the month of July, and would draw Chicagoans from nearly all over the southside of the city and adjoining neighborhoods.

Aside from the many portable carnival rides on the midway, live entertainment in the form of cultural and ethnic music acts were featured, as well as several unusual contests and a car raffle booth, where one could win a brand new Cadilac coupe of the era.

I went there with My family a handful of times when I was a litle boy growing up on the near southwest side of Chicago during the 1960's, and always had a great time there any summer.

This photograph appears courtessy of the Chicago Tribune Newspaper. http://www.chicagotribune.com/

A happy memory!

Thanks.
Eddie K.

South Rampart Street Parade - Chris Barber and his Band 1982

As long as I can remember...I have always been a big fan of traditional American Dixieland Jazz music.

I wen't on two vacations to the Mardi Gras Celebration in the city of New Orleans Louisianna during the 1970's, and thats when I really discovered that I enjoyed this music more than I actually thought that I had..

Dixieland Jazz music, became popular around 1917, and was the succesor of American Ragtime music from the late 1800's and early 1900's era.

The Dixieland Band in this video, is playing one of My all time favorite Dixieland Jazz standards that I had heard when I had visited the city of New Orleans, a song entitled "The South Rampart Street Parade".

What the heck! Come on everyone! Lets have a little Mardi Gras right now!

Thanks.
Eddie K.

An unsafe practice caught in the act.

An unsafe practice caught in the act., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photograph recently, at the intersection of Forest Preserve Drive and North Harlem Avenue in Norridge Illinois recently.

What looks like a busines as usual scene of routine exterior or sign maintenance along the south wall of the local Harlem Irving Plaza Shopping Center Mall, reveals a different situation.

The operator of boom equipped truck, apparently forgot to lower the stabilizing outriggers, and is now risking a top heavy tip over accident, endangering Himself or people below on the sidewalk.

Safety first, always use caution at work sites.

I found this historic color photograph that was taken in the year of 1960 on the internet, from the Skokie Historical Society.

During the 1950's and 60's and in some towns even earlier, the greater Chicagoland area was once the home of many seasonal family owned amusement parks. Many of these parks were small, and often resembled traveling carnivals, as they featured portable carnival style rides on the midway, wich were easilly dismantled and stored away for the winter off season period.

Almost everyday at work, I pass the intersection of Golf Road and Skokie Boulevard in north suburban Skokie Illinois. After a fellow worker or two at My bus company who had grown up in the Skokie area during the 1950's and 60's era had tipped Me off about it, I soon doscovered that the site of todays North Shore Center For The Performing Arts theatre and the adjacent Hilton Double Tree Inn Hotel on the southeast corner, was actually the former site of the Fun Fair Amusement Park in Skokie Illinois prior to 1969.

Unfortunately, not much information about the place was actually documented for history, as it is very sketchy by todays standards at best. Some local residents claim that the Fun Fair Amusement Park was in business from 1960 to 1969, while an old black and white photo of the park's train ride on the internet, states that it was taken during the 1950's.

Whatever the case or cause may be, the Fun Fair Amusement Park was reported to be a farm originally.

The Fun Fair Amusement Park, was one of several little family owned amusement parks that once lined the greater Chicagoland area, along with several now long gone outdor Drive In Movie theatres and roadside Drive In Hamburger restaurants with car hop service from the 1950's and 60's era.

The Fun Fair Amusement Park had closed for good at the end of the 1969 season, and was quickly redeveloped during the 1970's era.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Eastbound CP freight with Soo engines. River Grove IL. May 2009.

I photographed this digital live sound video, back in May of 2009.

An eastbound Canadian Pacific freight train with three former Soo Line locomotives acquired through merger in 1990, but not repainted yet...pass through the River Grove Illinois Metra commuter rail station and cross Thatcher Avenue on an overcast morning.

Purple Australian streetcar heading south on Main Street at the intersection of Madison Avenue. Memphis Tennesee. September 2007.

Purple Australian streetcar heading south on Main Street at the intersection of Madison Avenue. Memphis Tennesee. September 2007., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photograph during My September 2007 vacation to the city of Memphis Tennesee USA.

A former Melbourne Austrailia W 2 Tram Car, is viewed at the intersection of Madison Avenue and Main Street in downtown Memphis Tennesee.

For fans of electric railway subjects, I highly recomend a ride on the Memphis main Street Trolley while visiting the city of Memphis.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Der Harz dampft 2/2 - Dampflok / Steam Train / Eisenbahn - Zug

I found this fascinating railfan video from Germany on You Tube this morning.

For fans of German railway subjects who are blessed with the ability to read the text that is in German language in this video, You may enjoy and understand this video quiete well.

I am not sure as I do not speak or read German language at this time, but I believe that this video is about a meter guage tourist railroad in the eurpopean nation that was formerly known as East Germany.

Germany much like England, has a large population of fellow railfans and transportation enthusiasts like Myself and several others here in Chicago and through out America.

I enjoyed seeing the variety of vintage coal burning meter guage German steam locomotives in the video, as well as the beautiful red and cream colored coaches wich I found to be quiete attractive.

If I ever have the opportunity to visit Germany, I most definately will wan't to ride this particular tourist railroad in the Hartz Mountains region of Germany someday.

Thanks.

Eddie K.

German railfans....Wilkomen.

An H.O steam freight train approaching East Dubuque tower.

An H.O steam freight train approaching East Dubuque tower., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photograph recently, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club. (Of wich I am a member of.)

Posing along a yet to be scenicked section of the club layout, My used Athearn Baldwin U.S.R.A 2-8-2 Mikado type steam locomotive, is viewed approaching the junction at East Dubuque Tower.

The picturesque man made waterfall at Higgns Avenue and River Road. Rosemont Illinois. May 2012.

The picturesque man made waterfall at Higgns Avenue and River Road. Rosemont Illinois. May 2012., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

A popular site for photographers in the greater Chicagoland area, is this lovely man made waterfall along the east side of River Road, at the intersection of Higgins Avenue in Rosemont Illinois near Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.

Many newly wed couples often have their pictures taken here, posing with the waterfall and rocks behind them. When this occurs, safety cones are placed in the street as this is a very busy and heavilly trafficked road.

Spotlights light this unique waterfall at night.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Eastbound Canadian National Railroad transfer train. Forest Park Illinois USA. August 2006.

Eastbound Canadian National Railroad transfer train. Forest Park Illinois USA. August 2006., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

Hi everyone!

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

I took this photograph back in August of 2006.

Wow! Talk about being in the right place at the right time with a camera in hand!

We are facing west from on top of the Circle Avenue overpass bridge in Forest Park Illinois.

I heard the heavy and loud rumbling of an approaching freight train nearby, and captured thios photograph of an eastbound Canadian National Railroad freight train.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

W B BNSF freight passes a Metra local. La Grange IL. May 2012.

Let Eddie host Your next upcoming public speaking event.

Let Eddie host Your next upcoming public speaking event., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

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

Being the host of Eddie's Railfan Page has been a great experience for Me, but hosting a multi media public speaking
event has proven to be much more rewarding yet. In recent times, I began taking My very family oriented homemade -
multi media photo slideshow and lecture events public, and have recieved repeat bookings at several Chicago area
suburban public libraries, as well as the Niles Historical Society and Museum.

If anybody is interested in having Me host one of My special historic / transportation photo slideshows in the near future.

You can contact Me at edwardpk04@yahoo.com

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Union Pacific Railroad track maintenance equipment. Des Plaines Illinois. May 2012.

Union Pacific Railroad track maintenance equipment. Des Plaines Illinois. May 2012., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photo recently after work one evening, in northwest suburban Des Plaines Illinois.

A track department maintenance vehicle from the Union Pacific's Maintenance of Way Department, sits parked between dutties, just north of the Dempster Street railroad crossing.

The Amtrak / Metra La Grange Road commuter rail station at twilight. La Grange Illinois USA. May 2012.

The Amtrak / Metra La Grange Road commuter rail station at twilight. La Grange Illinois USA. May 2012., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photograph recently, at the La Grange Road Amtrak / Metra commuter rail station, in downtown west suburban La Grange Illinois.

The sun had just went over the horizon in the western skies, and night was in the process of approaching in the greater Chicagoland area.

The station lights as well as the local roadside street lights were begining to turn on for the night.

The former site of Chicago's Kiddy Town Amusement Park. ( 1953 - 1966.)Norridge Illinois USA. May 2012.

The former site of Chicago's Kiddy Town Amusement Park. ( 1953 - 1966.) Norridge Illinois USA. May 2012., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

During My recent research project involving the subject of Chicago's historic and now forgotten amusement parks of the past, I made some fascinating local discoveries.

I pass the intersection of North Harlem and west Cullom Avenues everyday in Norridge Illinois, and I would never have guessed that a local Chicago area amusement park once stood here at the southwest corner.

From 1953 until 1966, this was actually the site of Chicago's Kiddy Town Amusement Park, wich was immediately adjacent to the north side of the Harlem Irving Plaza Shopping Center mall.

The amusement park is unfortunately long gone, and this is how the Kiddy Town site looks like today.

When you think about it though, this neighborhood must have been a very noisy place during the summer months when Kiddy Town was alive and well. Kiddy Town was located in a residential area.

I wonder if complaints about noise and traffic from local Norridge residents, eventuallually closed Kiddy Town down for good in the long run.

Still, it was a fun and now unfortunately lost and forgotten era of local Chicago area family entertainment venues.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

N B Amtrak Hiawatha departs Glenview IL. April 2009.

The local Kentucky Fried Chicken take out restaurant on South Harlem Avenue and West 91st Street. Bridgeview Illinois. Saturday, May 12th, 2012.

The local Kentucky Fried Chicken take out restaurant on South Harlem Avenue and West 91st Street. Bridgeview Illinois. Saturday, May 12th, 2012., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

From 1993 until I got married and moved in 2006, I used to be a resident of southwest suburban Bridgeview Illinois.

One place that I would occasionally take out food to go for My family or Myself, was the local Kentucky Fried Chicken store on South Harlem Avenue and West 91st Street.

Many of the small KFC stores like this one from the past, have been demolished and replaced by larger combination KFC / Taco Bell fast food restaurants.

This one is still an old school KFC only location from years past.

Eastbound Metra evening local commuter train. La Grange Illinois. May 2012.

Eastbound Metra evening local commuter train. La Grange Illinois. May 2012., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photo after work one evening recently, in west suburban La Grange Illinois.

Another lovely Springtime day was coming to a close and twilight was now upon the greater Chicagoland area.

An eastbound Metra local commuter train enroute to Chicago Union Station from Aurora Illinois, prepares to depart from the La Grange Road station at twilight.

Flight '76 by Walter Murphy

Hi everyone!

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

I grew up on the near southwest side of Chicago during the 1960's and 70's era, and I fondy remember several hits from My own teenage years during the 1970's.

One of My favorite instrumental recording artists of that time, was a gentleman with His own orchestra Walther Murphy. He recorded His songs under the name Walter Murphy and The Big Apple Band.

Although His biggest all time hit was proboubly "A Fifth Of Bethoven" from the Saturday Night Fever movie soundtrack album, Flight 76 is actually My favorite Walter Murphy hit song release.

This song made it's debut release in 1976 when I was 14 years old, and is actually a Disco remake of a classical song known as "The Flight Of The Bumble Bee".

From 1976, heres Walter Murphy and Flight 76!

Thanks.

Eddie K.

View looking east from the Clark Street bridge over the Chicago River. Chicago Illinois. September 2008.

View looking east from the Clark Street bridge over the Chicago River. Chicago Illinois. September 2008., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

Hi everyone!

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

I took this night time photo of the Chicago River in downtown Chicago Illinois, back in early September of 2008.

It is approximately 12:45 AM, and the Chicago River and it's gentle ripples, reflect the Chicago city skyline at night.

This view is facing east from the North Clark Street drawbridge.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

N B CTA purple line train. Wilmette IL. Friday, May 11th, 2012.

I photographed this digital live sound video recently one morning.

A northbound Chicago Transit Authority purple line train is viewed crossing Isabella Street in north suburban Wilmette Illinois, and is now on approach to the nearby Linden Avenue terminal at the end of the line a few city blocks north of here.

Chicago's Riverview Park. (Gone.) 1904-1967.

Chicago's Riverview Park. (Gone.) 1904-1967., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

One of the most fun projects I have done in recent times, is research the once many local Chicago area amusement parks of the past.

Chicago once had many of these, with a few inside the city itself, and several little ones resembling carnivals in the outlying suburbs.

I had enough photographic material to put together a few musical phjoto slideshows using Windows Movie Maker on My home computer. Eventually, I began hosting several nostalgia shows about Chicago's amusement parks of the past at various local Chicago area public librries.

Riverview Park wich was a huge 74 acre amusement park located on North Western Avenue in Chicago from 1904 to 1967, is proboubly the most popular of all of them, as I have been meeting several former Riverview Park patrons when I host My presentations.

This research project I put together on a somewhat forgotten (By todays standards) of locl Chicago history, has been a real blast for Me. This has been great fun!

Thanks everyone!

Eddie K.

Eastbound Metra departs from Riverside Illinois. Saturday, May 12th, 2012.

Eastbound Metra departs from Riverside Illinois. Saturday, May 12th, 2012., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photograph on a rainy afternoon recently, in west suburban Riverside Illinois.

An eastbound Metra local commuter train enroute to Chicago Union Station from Aurora Illinois, departs the Riverside station during a light rain shower.

The Toys featuring Barbara Harris

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

I grew up on the near southwest side of Chicago during the 1960's and 70's era.

When I was just a kid during the 1960's, I was exposed to many different kinds of music, and I always found the music and recording groups from Mowtown Records in Detroit Michigan to be one of My favorite musical influences.

Seen here in a recent reunion spot on one of those PBS music television shows, is the 1960's Mowtown girl group "The Toys", perfiorming their big hit single from 1965 "A Lovers Concerto".

This was always one of My favorite songs when I was growing up in Chicago back then.

BNSF Railway track maintenance crew at work. Hodgkins Illinois. September 2007.

BNSF Railway track maintenance crew at work. Hodgkins Illinois. September 2007., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photograph one overcast afternoon, back in early September of 2007.

A maintenance of way crew performs some much too important track mintenance, on the BNSF Raiway mainline in southwest suburban Hodgkins Illinois.

Southbound Canadian National Railroad transfer train. Hawthorne Junction. Chicago / Cicero Illinois. June 2008.

Southbound Canadian National Railroad transfer train. Hawthorne Junction. Chicago / Cicero Illinois. June 2008., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photograph after work one evening, back in June of 2008.

A southbound Canadian National Railroad transfer freight train traveling over the Belt Railway of Chicago, passes through the CN's former Illinois Central Railroad crosstracks at Hawthorne Junction.

Hawthorne Junction is located directly on the Chicago city limits border at west suburban Cicero Illinois. I am standing on the west side of the Belt Railway of Chicago tracks, on the Cicero side of the border.

This transfer freight train, is enroute to the Belt Railway of Chicago's Clearing Yard facility in nearby southwest suburban Bedford Park Illinois, near Chicago's Midway Airport.

Eastbound Burlington Northern freight train with a caboose. Berwyn Illinois. July 1985.

Eastbound Burlington Northern freight train with a caboose. Berwyn Illinois. July 1985., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

Hi everyone!

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

I began taking 35 MM railfan photographs around the greater Chicagoland area starting in 1983.

Just recently it struck Me, that many of the railroads I photographed, had disppeared recently through merger acquisitions by other railroads.

This photograph was taken at the Beryn Metra commuter rail station at South Oak Park Avenue and West Windsor Street in west suburban Berwyn Illinois.

It is a hot Summer afternoon way back in July of 1985, and a slow moving eastbound Burlington Northern Railroad freight train with a wide vision caboose on the rear passes through the station.

This freight train is heading in to the nearby Burlington Northern Railroad's Clyde Yard facility in adjacent Cicero Illinois.

Cabooses were disappearing from American freight trains around this time. In late 1995, the Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe and the Burlington Northern had merged, and became todays BNSF Railway.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Digital live sound video: A northbound Canadian Pacific transfer train passing through Hawthorne Junction. Chicago / Cicero Illinois. June 2008.

Digital live sound video: A northbound Canadian Pacific transfer train passing through Hawthorne Junction. Chicago / Cicero Illinois. June 2008. a video by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

Hamburger Heaven Drive In. Elmhurst illinois. July 2008.

Hamburger Heaven Drive In. Elmhurst illinois. July 2008., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

One of My all time favorite Summertime memories in the greater Chicagoland area, was going out for some delicious and refreshing soft serve ice cream at any number of local Chicago area Drive In restaurants, street corner neighborhood establishments, or even roadside establishments in the outlying areas.

Seen here is one of My all time favorite places in the greater Chicagoland area, known as the Hamburger Heaven Drive In Restaurant in Elmhurst Illinois.

Hamburger Heaven is a classic old 1950's era street corner drive in restaurant with a walk up window, and is located at the southeast corner of North Avenue / Rt # 64 and York Street in Elmhurst Illinois.

The food is good here, the prices are cost effective, and You just can't beat that classic "Baby Boomer Era" 1950's style architecture and atmosphere from the past.

Hi folks!

This is Eddie K, Your host and photographer here at Eddie's Railfan Page. http://eddiesrailroad.blogspot.com/

Just recently, I had came up with an idea to host public speaking, multi media historic photo slideshow events about "Chicago's Historic Amusement Parks Of The Past".

The response to these events at several of the Chicago area suburban public libraries has been amazing.

I have lived in Chicago and the greater Chicagoland area all of My life, and was never quiete aware of just how many tiny little seasonal family owned amusement parks that there once was in the greater Chicagoland area. Although there was the huge  74 acre Riverview Park on North Western Avenue, there was an astounding number of small family owned and operated amusement parks, that resembled nothing more than a little traveling carnival.

I found this historic photograph of Chicago's long gone "Kiddy Town" amusement park in Norridge Illinois, at a unique internet blogsite entitled "Gorillas Don't Blog", wich is hosted by a gentleman named Major Pepperidge.

I have lived on the north side of the greater Chicagoland area since 2006, and have passed the corner of North Harlem and West Cullom Avenues in Norridge Illinois to and from work daily. I would have never guessed that this was actually the site of one of those now forgotten Chicago amusement parks of the past.

This photograph was taken in August of 1963, at the Kiddy Town Amusement Park, wich existed here at this location in Norridge Illinois from 1953 until 1966. Kiddy Town was a tiny amusement park that was marketed at parents with little children. This park was located immediately adjacent to the north side of the Harlem Irving Plaza Shopping Center indoor mall.

Thanks to this website and several hints, clues and stories from people who have visited My public speaking events, I have found yet another forgotten Chicago amusement park of the past to present in the future.

Thank You Major Pepperidge for a really great website!

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Bachman Spectrum Series H.O Santa Fe EMD FT A and B locomotives.

I photographed this digital live sound video last year, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club.

Growing up in the city of Chicago Illinois during the 1960's, 70's and 80's eras, I was a huge fan of the former Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad.

These two Bachman Spectrum Series models of early 1940's era Santa Fe EMD model FT Cab Unit diesel electric locomotives wearing the red and silver "Warbonnet" color scheme used for passenger train service, are viewed pulling a freight train on the club layout.

The real Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe, was also known for occasionally assigning passenger train locomotives on the head end of freight trains when needed.

A former Grand Trunk Western Tri Leval Auto Rack car in transit. River Grove Illinois USA. Sunday, July 24th, 2011.

A former Grand Trunk Western Tri Leval Auto Rack car in transit. River Grove Illinois USA. Sunday, July 24th, 2011., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photograph one Sunday afternoon, back in July of 2011.

I spotted this now weather beaten and quite rusty Tri Leval Auto Rack Car from the former Grand Trunk Western Railroad in transit, aboard an eastbound Canadian Pacific freight train.

This train was photographed passing through the River Grove Illinois Metra commuter rail station, over the former Milwaukee Road mainline at Thatcher Avenue.

Historic log cabin. Skokie Illinois USA. March 2012.

Historic log cabin. Skokie Illinois USA. March 2012., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photograph recently in downtown Skokie Illinois.

It was the month of March when I had taken this photograph, and the scenery was begining to change from those plain Winter straw brown colors to Springtime green in the greater Chicagoland area.

This preserved rustic old log cabin from the early to mid 1800's era, is one of several exhibits at the Skokie Heritage Museum.

Gentle Springtime waves on Lake Michigan. Wilmette IL. May 2012.

Groot Disposal Company Mack front end loader garbage truck. Glenview Illinois. May 2012.

Groot Disposal Company Mack front end loader garbage truck. Glenview Illinois. May 2012., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photograph two weeks ago, while driving through north suburban Glenview Illinois.

Heading westbound on Glenview Road, We spot a Mack front end loading garbage truck from the Groot Disposal Comapny, making a curbside residential collection run.

S B Amtrak Hiawatha. Morton Grove IL. Feb 2009.

I photographed this digital live sound video back in early February of 2009.

The southbound Amtrak Hiawatha enroute to Chicago Union Station from Milwaukee Wisconsin, speeds through the Morton Grove Illinois Metra commuter rail station.

Looking west at the Congress Park overhead signal interlocking bridge. Brookfield Illinois. July 2008.

Looking west at the Congress Park overhead signal interlocking bridge. Brookfield Illinois. July 2008., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photograph back in July of 2008.

We are facing west at the Prairie Avenue railroad crossing on the BNSF Railway in west suburban Brookfield Illinois.

Twilight is upon us at the end of this hot Summer day, as I photographed the Congree Park overhead block signal bridge against the evening sky just after sunset.

Southbound Belt Railway of Chicago switching local at Hawthorne Junction. Chicago / Cicero Illinois. March 1987.

Southbound Belt Railway of Chicago switching local at Hawthorne Junction. Chicago / Cicero Illinois. March 1987., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photograph way back in March of 1987.

A southbound Belt Railway of Chicago switching local, approaches the Illinois Central Gulf crosstracks at Hawthorne Junction.

This busy Chicago railroad junction, is located directly on the Chicago city limits border at west suburban Cicero Illinois.

Silent digital video: Northbound orange Gomaco replica streetcar on Main Street. The Memphis Main Street Trolley. Memphis Tennesee. September 2007.

Silent digital video: Northbound orange Gomaco replica streetcar on Main Street. The Memphis Main Street Trolley. Memphis Tennesee. September 2007. a video by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I photographed this silent digital video with My old camera, during a September 2007 vacation to the city of Memphis Tennesee.

Heading northbound on Main Street one morning, We spot the small orange and cream colored Gomaco replica trolley, operating on the Main Street line of the Memphis Main Street Trolley.

CTA blue line two train meet. Forest Park Illinois USA. August 2006.

CTA blue line two train meet. Forest Park Illinois USA. August 2006., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photograph back in August of 2006.

looking west from the Circle Avenue overpass bridge in west suburban Forest Park Illinois, We spot two Chicago Transit Authority trains meeting just east of the Des Plaines Avenue CTA blue line terminal.

Eddie K hosting Kiddieland Memories at the Eisenhower Public Library.Harwood Heights Illinois. Saturday, May 12th 2012.

Eddie K hosting Kiddieland Memories at the Eisenhower Public Library. Harwood Heights Illinois. Saturday, May 12th 2012., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

Hi everyone!

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

Just recently, I began hosting a series of multi media photo slideshow and lecture presentations, at many local Chicago area suburban public libraries.

These presentations that spotlight Chicago's historic and somewhat forgotten local amusement parks of the past that used to exist, have become increasingly popular, and many other bookings are in the planning stages at this time.

Here I am in the upstairs meeting room, of the Eisenhower Public Library at 4613 N Oketo Avenue in Harwood Heights Illinois, on Saturday, may 12th of this year.

If You are interested in seeing one of these, please stay posted here at Eddie's Railfan Page, as I will be posting My show notices as they become available.

The next scheduled presentation about Chicago's Historic Ausement Parks of the past, Will be on Sunday, July 15th from 1:30 to 3:30 at the Forest Park Illinois Public Library.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Front wheels of a 1974 Ford 750 Custom Cab tow truck. Glenview Illinois USA. Friday, February 24th, 2012.

Front wheels of a 1974 Ford 750 Custom Cab tow truck. Glenview Illinois USA. Friday, February 24th, 2012., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photograph earlier this year, back in February.

I have always been a big fan of transportation subjects ranging from trains, trucks , airplanes, ships and even hot rod cars.

Not far from My own company I work at, is the Joseph Mularkey and Sons beverage distributorship on Old Willow Road in north suburban Glenview Illinois.

This company stil has a few classic Ford Custom Cab trucks from the 1970's and 80's era on their fleet today.

Seen here is the front wheels of their 1974 Ford 750 Custom Cab tow truck. This particular style of wheels, were once very common on commercial trucks. With their 5 pointed spokes, I often refered to these as "Star Wheels", as the design looked very much like a Starfish that one would see up close, at Chicago's John G. Shedd Aqairium.

Night time CTA Skokie Swift. Skokie IL. Sept 2009.

One of My favorite if now somewhat vague childhood memories from growing up on the southwest side of Chicago Illinois during the 1960's and 70's era, was the annual July Back of the yards neighborhood Free Fair Carnival at West 47th Street and South Damen Avenue.

I visited this place a handful of times with My family, when I was a little boy during the mid to late 1960's.

The annual Free Fair Carnival, was held every July on a large tact of vacant land that also featured a local baseball field, at the northwest corner of South Damen Avenue and West 47th Street.

This photograph, is from the Chicago Tribune Newspaper,   http://www.chicagotribune.com/ and shows several local Catholic neighborhood church parish nuns, enjoying a ride on a portable roller coaster ride at the July 1962 back of the yards Free Fair Carnival.

I believe that this festival was discontinued after 1970, and was later revived at this location around 1982 for a couple of years. The areas ethnic population had already shifted from a European / Polish and Irish population, to a large Latino population by the late 1970's and early 1980's.

The original Free Fair festival grounds were eventually sold for commercial redevelopment, and became a large outdoor strip mall by the mid 1980's. The Back of the yards neighborhood festival is still held today at a different location nearby, and is now known as the Chicago's Back of the yards Fiesta Celebration.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Metra foggy morning departure. Glenview IL. Early March, 2010.

The shiny and well maintained front of an Elmwood Park ariel boom tower fire truck. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. Early April 2012.

The shiny and well maintained front of an Elmwood Park ariel boom tower fire truck. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. Early April 2012., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photograph one morning during My lunch break last month, in Elmwood Park Illinois.

This photograph, shows off the very shiny and well maintained fron end details of an Elmwood Park Fire Department ariel boom tower fire truck, parked in front of the Elmwood Park Fire Station in the Conti Parkway Circle.

Chicago Fire Department fire trucks, used to have the front bumper mounted bell as seen in the immediate left of the photograph, but eventually phased them out.

This very shiny fire engine, is a sybol of great civic pride on behalf of the many brave men and woman of the Elmwood Park Fire Department.

Thank You for a job well done Elmwood Park Fire Department.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Standard American 40 foot box cars from the past.

Standard American 40 foot box cars from the past., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photograph recently, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club.

For many years, 40 foot box cars were the industry standard for hauling freight on America's railroads.

The two 40 ft cars that are seen here, were from a colorful period of everyday American railroading.

The car to the left, wears the 1950's era green and yellow colors and markings from the former Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad. The car to the right, wears the 1967 orange "New Image" color scheme from the former Illinois Central Railroad.

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

Northbound CTA bus near West Diversey Avenue. Chicago Illinois. September 2006., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

Southbound CTA Route # 11 Lincoln Avenue bus on a rainy morning.November 2006.

Southbound CTA Route # 11 Lincoln Avenue bus on a rainy morning. November 2006., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photograph on a cold and rainy morning, back in November of 2006.

A southbound Chicago Transit Authority Rt # 11 Lincoln Avenue bus, is viewed picking up a passenger at the intersection of North Lincoln and West Berteau Avenues.

E B Pace bus on Grand Avenue. Elmwood Park IL. Mar 2012.

I photographed this digital live sound video recently one evening, back in March of this year.

An eastbound Pace Rt # 307 bus, is viewed passing the intersection of Grand and 75th Avenues in Elmwood Park Illinois.

I found this photograph from the former Evanston Bus Company at My Link page Northern California Bus Fans, located to the right of Your computer screen at http://www.norcalbusfans.com/

Prior to the creation of Chicago's Regional Transportation Authority in 1974, there were several different bus companies operating commuter transit bus service through out the greater Chicagoland area, serving the many outlying suburban towns.

This undated photograph that was proboubly taken during the early 1970's, features a 35 foot General Motors TDH Series "New Look / Fishbowl Windshield transit bus from the Evanston Bus Company.

No photographers name was mentioned in this photograph.

BC Electric 1947 Canadian Car Brill T-44 trolley bus- 2040

I spotted this video on You Tube this morning.

We are riding aboard a bus fantrip excursion, in the city of Vancouver Brittish Columbia Canada.

We are riding aboard a preeserved 1947 Brill electric trilleybus, from the former B.C Transit.

I grew up in the city of Chicago Illinois during the 1960's and 70's, and could remember riding aboard the CTA's Brill and Marmon Harrington electric trolleybuses prior to 1973 when they were phased out for good.

This video brought back some happy if now somewhat vague memories for Me.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

The Chicago Transit Authority west terminal bus loop for the CTA Route # 77 Belmont Avenue bus line. River Grove Illinois USA. July 2011.

The Chicago Transit Authority west terminal bus loop for the CTA Route # 77 Belmont Avenue bus line. River Grove Illinois USA. July 2011., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photograph back in July of 2011.

Seen here is the west terminal bus turn around loop, for the Chicago Transit Authority's Rt # 77 Belmont Avenue bus line.

This off street bus terminal, is located on the south side of West Belmont Avenue, just east of the intersection at North Cumberland Avenue in the town of River Grove Illinois.

Fueling up before returning to the company garage. Des Plaines Illinois USA. January 2012.

Fueling up before returning to the company garage. Des Plaines Illinois USA. January 2012., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photograph recently, back in January of this year.

My afternoon / evening run as a paratransit driver has come to a close. With no more passengers to pick up, it is time to head off to the Speedway convenience gasoline station on Touhy Avenue in northwest suburban Des Plaines Illinois.

After My assigned Ford bus # 5157 is fueled up, it is time to head back to My company garage in Glenview Illinois, park the bus, complete My paper work, and clock out for the night.

Another work day has ended, and soon it is time to go home.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Tour bus arriving at the Bahai Temple. Wilmette IL. 5 11 -2012

I photographed this digital live sound video recently, in north suburban Wilmette Illinois.

A large green tour bus from the Cavallo Bus Company, makes a right turn and heads westbound from Sheridan Road on to Linden Avenue in Wilmette Illinois.

The bus is arriving with a tour group onboard, to the nearby Bahai Temple on Linden Avenue.

Northbound CTA Route # 53 Pulaski Rd bus at West Fullerton Avenue. Chicago Illinois. March 2006.

Northbound CTA Route # 53 Pulaski Rd bus at West Fullerton Avenue. Chicago Illinois. March 2006., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photograph back in March of 2006.

A northbound Chicago Transit Authority Rt # 53 Pulaski Rd bus, is viewed heading northbound on Pulaski Road, at the intersection of West Fullerton Avenue on the north side of Chicago Illinois, during a sunny late Winter morning.

The bus, is a now retired 1990's era 40 Ft Flxible Metro model transit bus, wich the CTA had retired the remaining models from their fleet recently.

I found this classic General Motors motorcoach photograph at My Link page Northern California Bus Fans, wich is located to the right of Your computer screen at http://www.norcalbusfans.com/

This photograph, was located in the section entitled Michigan.

Seen here is a General Motors motorcoach from the Cardinal  Coach Lines Company, that was photographed quiete possibly at the Detroit Michigan airport in October of 1975.

No photographers name is mentioned for this photograph.

Tastee Freeze on West 26th Street. Berwyn Illinois. June 2008.

Tastee Freeze on West 26th Street. Berwyn Illinois. June 2008., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

Hi everyone!

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

One of My favorite Spring and Summertime memories, was going out for a nice refreshing soft serve ice cream treet in the evining, at a local seasonal ice cream stand or two.

One of My personal favorites to go to every year, is the old Tastee Freeze on West 26th Street near South Oak Park Avenue, in west suburban Berwyn Illinois.

I took this photo looking west around twilight, at the Berwyn Tastee Freeze 4 years ago.

This photograph captures the look and feel of a happy Summertime memory.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

The Hesston Steam Museum. Hesston IN. Sept 2010.

I photographed this digital live sound video, during a September 2010 visit to the Hesston Steam Museum in northwest Indiana near Michigan City.

My Wife Cheryl and I, were getting ready to step inside the entrance from the west parking lot, when I quickly captured this video of the museum's German meter guage 0-8-0 steam locomotive and train, departing from the Hesston junction depot at the museum.

For more information about the Hesston Steam Museum, log on to their web site at www.hesston.org

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

Saint Clair of Montifalco Catholic Parish annual summer carnival. Chicago Illinois. June 1987., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

Summer Carnival season once again, is now starting up in the greater Chicagoland area.

That wonderful period from May to August of any given year, would bring bright lights, entertainment, carnival midways with portable rides, and plenty of noise to otherwise quiet Chicago neighborhoods.

During the 1980's, attending these was one of My personal favorites amongst the many outdoor Summertime activities.

I took this photograph way back in June of 1987, at the Saint Clair of Montifalco Catholic Church Parish in Chicago's Gage Park neighborhood.

This carnival back in the day, was one of the ones not to miss on Your list of neighborhood Summer carnivals to visit.

Aside from the local Rock and Roll, Pop, Country and Western and Dance music bands that would appear at this annual event, the Gage Park neighborhood still had a good number of southside Chicago residents of polish etnic extraction, and a local Polish Polka Music band of some sort, was a must have at this neighborhood carnival during the 1980's era.

Ah yes, fun Summertime memories from the southwest side of Chicago.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Preserved interlocking tower from Spaulding Illinois. The Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois. July 1996.

Preserved interlocking tower from Spaulding Illinois. The Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois. July 1996., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photograph during a July 1996 visit to the Illinois Railway Museum, located in the town of Union Illinois. www.irm.org

Two electric interurban coaches from the former Chicago, North Shore and Milwaukee Railroad, are viewed approaching Spaulding Tower and a vintage Wig Wag signal enroute to the museum's East Union depot.

Scenes like this at the Illinois Railway Museum, help to capture the look and feel of electric powered interurban railroading from the past.