Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Suburban Transit GM fishbowl windshield bus at South Archer and Harlem Avenues. Chicago Illinois. April 1988.

Hi everyone!

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

I took this photograph way back in April of 1988. We are facing east at the intersection of South Archer and Harlem Avenues at the Chicago city limits, immediately east of the border at southwest suburban Summit Illinois.

A former Suburban Transit 1970's era 40 foot General Motors fishbowl windshield transit bus, is viewed preparingto make a left or southbound turn on to Harlem Avenue, enroute to southwest suburban Orland Park Illinois.

Suburban ransit always had one of the most unique and pleasingly asthetic color schemes amongst the once many former suburban bus companies that once operated in the greater Chicagoland area.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

RTA bus in La Grange Illinois. January 1987.

I took this photograph way back in January of 1987.

It is the early years of operation fo Chicago's Pace suburban bus service, and several used buses from the former RTA are still in service.

Seen here on Hillgrove Avenue just east of La Grage Road in downtown west suburban La Grange Illinois, is a weather beaten Grauman 40 foot transit bus. This bus is idling between runs at the former west terminal for the RTA / Pace Rt # 302 Ogden / Stanley bus line..and the Route # 322 / Cermak Road line.

Interior of First Transit 2009 Chevrolet paratransit township mini bus. Glenview Illinois. September 2012.

I took this photograph back in September of 2012.

Seen here shortly after arrival at the First Transit / North Cook Garage in Glenview Illinois, is the companies recently acquired used 2009 Chevrolet paratrasit mini bus used strictly for Township sponsored rides in Arlington Heights and Rolling Meadows Illinois.

This interior view, shows the comfortable leather seating enjoyed by the passengers.
This bus features a single wheelchair station, air conditioning, soft interior lighting and an FM radio.

Westbound Pace # 307 bus. Elmwood Park IL. August 2011.


Inside the garage at the end of the shift. Glenview Illinois. November 2008.

I took this photograph during my first year of employment as a paratransit driver at First Transit.

We are inside the First Transit / North Cook Garage ( Northern Cook County) in Glenview Illinois.

Several now long since retired 2001 Ford and Chevrolet paratransit mini buses, are viewed parked inside the garage at the end of the shift.

Wisconsin Coach Lines bus in the parking lot of the Kentucky HorseFarm. Lexington Kentucky. May 1990.

I took this photograph during the first leg of a May 1990 family motorcoach tour vacation, to the Great Smokey Mountains in the southern states of Tennesee and North Carolina.

Our driver is viewed taking a break in the parking lot of the Kentucky Horse Farm in the town of Lexington Kentucky, while an elderly passenger boards the bus to retrieve something that He may have forgot.

Our motorcoach from the Wisconsin Coach Lines Company, was very comfortable and featured a stylish paint scheme as well.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

W B CTA Rt # 77 Belmont Ave bus. Chicago IL. April 2007.



I photographed this silent digital video with my old digital camera, back in April of 2007.

A westbound Chicago Transit Authority Rt # 77 / Belmont Avenue bus, is viewed passing the intersection of West Belmont and North Long Avenues in Chicago's Cragin neighborhood.

The CTA bus, is a 1990's era 40 foot Flxible Metro. The Chicago Transit Authority retired
the remaining Flxible Metro buses from their fleet recently.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Hershey Pennsylvania rubber tired tourist trolley. September 2008.

Southbound CTA Route # 52 Kedzie / California Avenue bus approaching the bus stop at the intersection of South Archer and Kedzie Avenues. Chicago Illinois. November 1989.

I tok this photograph on an overcast Saturday afternoon, way back in November of 1989.

A southbound Chicago Transit Authority Rt # 52 / Kedzie -California bus, approaches the bus stop at South Archer and Kedzie Avenues, in Chicago's Brighton Park neighborhood.

The bus in the photograph, is a 1985 M.A.N 40 foot transit bus, that was manufactured and imported from the former European nation that was known as West Germany.

Due to their very box like shape, local Chicago area bus fans would refer to this model of transit bus as Bricks".

Monday, October 29, 2012

Dunkin Donuts on North Harlem Avenue at twilight. Forest Park Illinois. October 2012.

Hi everyone!

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

I took this photograph two weeks ago, when I was returning home one Sunday evening from a visit to my Mother's house.

Seen here against the approaching night time sky, is the Dunkin' Donuts take out coffee shop located on North Harlem Avenue near West Lake Street, in west suburban Forest Park Illinois.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Southbound CP freight. Glenview IL. Wed, Feb 15th, 2012.


Chicago Union Station. Chicago Illinois. November 1989.

I took this 35mm black and white photograph inside Chicago Union Station, way back in November of 1989.

A once very common sight on Chicago billboards before the 2005 Illlinois indoor smoking ban law went in to effect, were many numerous advertisements promoting smoking.

There still are smoking advertisements out there in the windy city today, but not the huge "Glut" of them that once was in past decades.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Westbound Canadian Pacific freight train. Chicago Illinois. October 2008.

I took this photograph back in October of 2008.

A slow moving westbound Canadian Pacific transfer freight train, is viewed passing through the Mars Metra commuter rail station at North Oak Park Avenue at the eastern border of Chicago's Mont Clare neighborhood.

The Kettle Corn concession stand. Goebert's Farm Stand. Barrington Illinois. October 2008.

A popular fun seasonal family attraction that I have come to know in recent years , is Goebert's Farm Stand in northwest suburban Barrington Illinois.

Every October, the place comes to life with many family activities including hay rides, a haunted house and a petting zoo on the property.

During October, this place is often refered to or advertised as "Goebert's Pumpkin Farm".

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Two Metra trains meet at Dundee Road. Northbrook Illinois. Oct 2011.


Chicago's Navy Pier. August 2008.

I took this photograph from the top deck of the Oddysey # 2 sightseeing cruise ship.

Seen here on Lake Michigan, is the very popular Navy Pier entertainment attraction. Navy Pier is a popular tourist attraction near downtown Chicago today.

Coal hoppers in transit at Hawthorne Junction. Chicago / Cicero Illinois. September 2008.

I took this photograph one evening around sunset, back in September of 2008.

We are looking between the cars of a stopped empty coal train at Hawthorne Junction in to the late day sun.

Hawthorne Junction is located at the Chicago city limits, directly on the border at west suburban Cicero Illinois.

The parked coal train shown here, is on the Belt Railway of Chicago tracks, at the Canadian National ex Illinois Central crosstracks.

Southern Pacific GS 4 Daylight pulling a freight train.



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

A Broadway Limited Imports model of a Southern Pacific GS 4 Class 4-8-4 semi streamlined "Daylight" steam locomotive owned by fellow club member Martin, is viewed pulling a freight train on the club layout.

Although the prototype SP GS 4 Daylight engines were originally used primarilly on the SP Daylight passenger trains, these locomotives were considered dual service machines, and could sometimes be found heading up freight trains as well during the late steam era.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Westbound empty BNSF Railway empty unit coal train. Riverside Illinois. October 2007.

I took this photograph on a pleasant autum day back in October of 2007.

A westbound BNSF Railway empty unit coal train, is viewed slowly creeping through west suburban Riverside Illinois. In a moment, the block signal will change to green and this train will begin to build up speed.

An eastbound Metra commuter local approaching the Franklin Park Illinois commuter rail station. October 2007.

I took this photograph one lovely autum morning, back in October of 2007.

An eastbound Metra morning rush hour local commuter train enroute to Chicago Union Station from Elgin Illinois, is viewed upon approach to the nearby Franklin Park Metra commuter rail station.

Sunday, October 28, 2012

Southbound Conrail locomotives waiting on a hold order at Brighton Junction. Chicago Illinois. January 1988.

Eastbound Metra arrives at Elmwood Park. Dec 2011.



I photographed this digital live sound video one dry windy and overcast afternoon, back in December of 2011.

An eastbound Metra local commuter train rnroute to Chicago Union Station, arrives at Elmwood Park Illinois during the snowless December of 2011.

The intersection of West Cermak Road and South Home Avenue facing east. Berwyn Illinois. April 1988.

I took this photograph on a lovely springtime afternoon, way back in April of 1988.

The west suburban village of Berwyn Illinois, has always been one of my favorite outlying suburban towns to visit in the greater Chicagoland area.

I took this photograph facing east at the intersection of West Cermak Road and South Home Avenue. This was one of those "Random" snap shots that I would sometimes take just for the heck of it all. Man I am so glad that I did back then!

Much has changed here since I took this photograph. The local Chicago area chain of Color Tile stores had went out of business at some point during the 1980's, and the bowling alley across the street in the photograph, had burned to the ground approximately ten years later. Prior to 1983, the Popeyes Chicken fast food restaurant in the background, was originally the site of a Cock Robin ice cream drive in store.

I still enjoy visiting Berwyn today whenever possible.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Pacing a short steam powered fast freight train.

 I photographed this digital live sound video recently, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club. ( Of which I am a member of.)

A short fast steam powered freight train pulled bt my seconhand and MRC sound equipped Valdwin U.S.R.A  2-8-2 Mikado type steam lcomotive, races past our location full steam ahead.

Demolition of the Jakter Hotel in Chicago Illinois. February 1983.

I took this photograph during a very overcast February afternoon in 1983.

After many years, the old brown brick Jakter Hotel at the southeast corner of South Kedzie Avenue and West 47th Street in Chicago's Elsdon neighborhood, was bring demolished.

This transient skid row type of hotel which had once featured a strip club in the hotel's basement lounge, was finally comdemned to make way for a new strip mall.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Westbound Burlington Northern Railroad unit coal train. Hindsdale Illinois USA. October 1989.

I took this photograph way back on October of 1989.

A westbound empty Burlington Northern Railroad unit coal train, is viewed passing through west suburban Hindsdale Illinois on a bright and sunny late October day..

Friday, October 26, 2012

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

I took this photograph on a hot summer day, way back in July of 1985.

An eastbound Burlington Northern Railroad freight train with a wide vision caboose bringing up the rear, passes through the Berwyn Illinois Metra commuter rail station in Chicago's western suburbs.

Cabooses were disappearing from the rear ends of America's freight trains during the 1980's, but the BN was a late user of this piece of railroad equipment history through out most of the 1980's.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Westbound Metra commuter local arriving at the Itasca Illinois Metra commuter rail station. October 2008.

I took this photograph back in October of 2008.

A westbound Metra evening rush hour local commuter train enroute to Elgin Illinois, is viewed arriving at the Itasca Illinois Metra commuter rail station in the late afternoon.

Autum in Itasca Illinois. October 2008.

I took this photograph, back in October of 2008.

Looking north from the Metra commuter rail station in the northwest suburban village of Itasca Illinois, we see the seasonal autum beauty of this very tree lined community.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Eastbound Metra. Berwyn Illinois. March 2012.



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

We are at the Metra's  La Vergne  rush hour only commuter depot at South Ridgeland Avenue in Berwyn Illinois, at the immediate border of the village of Cicero Illinois.

An eastbound Metra commuter train enroute to Chicago Union Station from Aurora Illinois, passes our location and heads in to the neighboring BNSF Railway Clyde Yard in Cicero Illinois.

Redeveloping the former site of the Grand Trunk Western Railroad's Elsdon roundhouse at West 49th Street and South Kedzie Avenue. Chicago Illinois. November 1988.

I took this photograph in Chicago's Elsdon neighborhood, way back in November of 1988.

From 1914 when it was built until it was closed in October of 1983, the former Grand Trunk Western Railroad's Elsdon roundhouse at approximately West 49th Street on South Kedzie Avenue, serviced the locomotives of the GTW for many years.

Time ran out for the abandoned GTW Elsdon roundhouse in 1988, and it was demolished in January of that year. Commercial real estate redevelopment was officially on the drawing board, and the old Elsdon roundhouse site was being redeveloped for a new Jewel Food Store that would open on this property in 1989.

The Jewel store itself was unfortunately short lived, and lasted here for approximately ten years or less. After the closing of the Jewel food store, the former Elsdon roundhouse and locomotive terminal site, would be redeveloped once more for an outdoor retail strip mall.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

BARRY WHITE'S LOVE UNLIMITED ORCHESTRA: LOVE'S THEME



Hi everyone!

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

Happy memories are one of many elements that fuel the creativity here at my blogsite, and
help to bring railfans and non railfans together for some fun.

One of my happy memories from when I was growing up in Chicago during the 1970's, was
hearing this unique dance hit from 1973, that featured the "Love Unlimited Orchestra" entitled
"Loves Theme". This was one of my all time favorite popular instrumental songs of the era, and
I used to own a copy of it on a vinyl 45 rpm single record. It was one of my favorite songs
for many years, that I enjoyed playing on my personal portable battery operated record player.

No MP 3's or I Pods yet. But man...those were the days.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

The enginehouse at the Dollywood Amusement Park. Pidgeon Forge Tennesee. May 1990.

I took this photograph during a May 1990 family motorcoach tour vacation, to the Great Smokey Mountains in the southern states of Tennesee and North Carolina.

One of the wonderful places we visited, was the Dollywood Amusement Park in Pidgeon Forge Tennesee.

I took this photograph by holding my camera over my head, peeking over a fence in one of those behind the scenes "Authorized Personel Only" areas in the park.

Seen here between assignments and proboubly in for some scheduled maintenance, is one of the 3 foot guage steam locomotives from the Dollywood Railroad, sitting outside of the park's enginehouse.

Chicago's Autum splendor in all it's colorful glory. Chicago Illinois. October 2006.

I took this photograph in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, way back in October of 2006.

Bright sunshine and colorful leaves, made up this lovely seasonal composition of autum photography.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Southbound Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad transfer train. Alsip Illinois. Late October 1990.

I took this photograph way back in late October of 1990.

We are facing northeast from the top of the South Cicero Avenue overpass bridge near West 119th Street, in south suburban Alsip Illinois.

A southbound Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad transfer train being led by two EMD 2nd Generation yard switcher locomotives, passes by our location on a sunny late autum afternoon.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Richard J. Daley College and the original Ford City Shopping Center sign. Chicago Illinois. November 1988.

Hi everyone!

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

I myself hail from the southwest side of Chicago, and just recently...several photographs that I had taken during the late 1980's had surfaced during a recent visit to my mother's home. Some of these had been in storage for so long, that I actually forgot that I had taken some of these. Wow!

This is one of those lost photographs from my own archives, and I recall taking this one during a November 1988 bicycle ride near the Ford City Shopping Center area near West 76th Street.

I was riding my 12 speed mountain bike, and stopped to capture this photograph looking north from the top of the Ford City Drive overpass bridge over South Pulaski Road.

Seen here in the photograph, are Chicago's Richard J. Daley College, and the original roadside Ford City sign, located on the west side of South Pulaski Road at West 76th Street. The Ford City Shopping Center indoor mall itself was being remodeled at the time of this photograph, and the original Ford City sign shown here, was actually removed shortly after I had taken this photograph.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

E B BNSF unit coal train passing through La Grange IL at night. Dec 2008.


Illinois Central Railroad local freight train.

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

Seen here is my Life Like Proto 2000 model, of an Illinois Central Railroad EMD SW 900 yard switcher pulling a cut of Athearn freight cars on the club layout.

This train represents a typical 1960's era switching local from the former Illinois Central Railroad. The locomotive is wearing the Illinois Central's pre 1967 black and white color scheme with the green diamond logo.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Southbound Conrail light engine movement passing through Brighton Junction. Chicago Illinois. January 1988.

I took this photograph, way back in January of 1988.

A southbound 3 unit set of Conrail locomotives running light, are viewed passing through the crosstracks at Brighton Junction on Chicago's near southwest side.

Brighton Junction is located just northwest of the intersection of South Archer and Western Avenues on an elevated railroad embankment.

Southbound Metra departing Northbrook Illinois. November 2011.


The visiting Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus train. Chicago Illinois. October 2007.

I took this photograph back in October of 2007.

Every autum, the city of Chicago Illinois is visited by the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus.

The circus train itself, is usually parked below the North Central Avenue bridge near Grand Avenue, just south of the Metra Hanson Park commuter rail depot shelter, on the former Milwaukee Road west line.

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

I took this photograph, during a July 2007 visit to the Hesston Steam Museum in northwest Indiana . www.hesston.org

The museum's nicely restored meter guage 0-8-0 coal burning steam locomotive from Germany, rounds the south curve at Hesston Junction on approach to the boarding station depot.

The Hesston Steam Museum is a fun and very family oriented attraction just east of Michigan City Indiana, and just south of neighboring New Buffalo Michigan.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

bobby pickett - monster mash



Hi everyone!

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

Well folks, once  again it's Halloween time once again here in the greater Chicagoland area.
Halloween is that fun part of the autum of any given year, when children and their families go door to door trick or treating, attend halloween costume parties, or watch television marathon presentations of "The Munsters" to name a few options.

For many years begining in 1962, the huge hit novelty song " Monster Mash" from the late great Bobby Boris Pickett, is a seasonal must have during these annual festivities.

This song was so sucecessful, that it was released on the music charts multiple times in past years.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Thanks.
Eddie' K.

The Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois. July 1988.

I took this photograph way back in July of 1988.

St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad (Frisco) Baldwin 2-10 -0 steam locomotive # 1630, is viewed approaching the east end terminal near the Kishwaukee River, at the Illinois Railway Museum. www.irm.org

This museum features a collection of preserved vintage railroad equipment either operating, on display, or under restoration.

Autum sunset at the end of a clear day. Oak Lawn Illinois. October 2012.

I took this lovely end of the day photograph last week Sunday evening, in southwest suburban Oak Lawn Illinois.

A beautiful autum day is coming to a close, as everyday objects along West 95th Street become silhoutted against the setting sun.

This photograph was taken facing west, just one block east of South Central Avenue.

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Premo's Drive In on West 95th Street. Oak Lawn Illinois. October 2012.

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

I took this photograph last Sunday evening around sunset, in southwest suburban Oak Lawn Illinois.

A popular roadside soft serve ice cream and fast food stand that has served the residents of Oak Lawn very well for many years, is the locally popular "Premo's Drive In" on West 95th Street.

The last rays of daylight are starting to fade on this lovely autum afternoon in October of 2012, and the outside lights have already turned on for the upcoming night time session.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Northbound Metra crossing Dundee Road at sunset. Northbrook IL.



I photographed this digital live sound video one lovely autum evening after work in October of 2011.

A northbound Metra rush hour commuter train enroute to Fox Lake Illinois, crosses Dundee Road /  Illinois Rt # 68 in north suburban Northbrook Illinois around sunset.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Eastbound Amtrak train on the final leg of it's journey to Chicago Union Station. Chicago Illinois. August 2008.

I took this photograph back in August of 2008, in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood on the near southside of the city.

Photographed at the intersection of South Archer and Normal Avenues, just southwest of downtown Chicago, is an inbound Amtrak train entering the final leg of it's journey to nearby Chicago Union Station downtown.

Santa Fe freight train crossing the Missisippi River bridge.



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

My 1960's / 1970's era facsimili of an Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe freight train, is viewed passing through the club's model of a lift bridge over the Missisippi River at the Illinois / Iowa state line border.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Producer and host Larry Conklin (Left) and TV show director Ed Mueller ( Right) at the Comcast cable television studio in Elmhurst Illinois. Tuesday, September 18th, 2012.

I took this photograph recently on Tuesday night, September 18th of this year.

Seen here in this wonderful and lighthearted behind the scenes view inside the Comcast cable television studio in Elmhurst Illinois, are Larry Conklin (Left) who is the host and co producer of the Comcast Public Access Channel 19 program entitled "The Larry and Mike Show", which is also produced by my good friend and fan of Eddie's Railfan Page Mike Mikrut.

To the right of the picture, is the shows camera operator and floor director Ed Mueller. Ed's job, is one of the most important to professional television production, and his expertise made for a superb production of my appearance on The Larry and Mike Show.

Thank you gentlemen.

Eddie K
Eddie's Railfan Page
http://eddiesrailroad.blogspot.com

Three Dog Night | Out in the Country



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.

One of my personal all time favorite happy memories from that time, was listening to the many wonderful hit songs from a popular American rock and roll / top 40 band from Los Angeles California, that was known as "Three Dog Night".

I have been a lifelong fan of Three Dog Night, who had a long and very succesful run on the American music charts from 1968 to 1975.

My first Three Dog Night song I fondly remember hearing in 1969 when I was just 7 years old, was a huge hit from their "Suitable For Framing " album entitled "Celebrate". (Great song! Lots of fun!)
I was just a kid, and was hooked on them from that moment foreward.

The song played here in this You Tube video, is their easy listening hit "Out in the country", from their 1970 album "It aint easy".

A link to the Three Dog Night fan club page, can be found to the right of your computer screen.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

The Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois. July 1988.

I took this photograph during a July 1988 visit to the Illinois Railway Museum, located in the town of Union Illinois. www.irm.org

A nice addition to the collection of vintage passenger and freight cars, electric streetcars, city transit buses and steam locomotives...is the museum's collection of vintage American diesel locomotives from several now fallen flag railroads of the past.

To the left are two Milwaukee Road EMD "F" Series cab unit diesel electric locomotives from the 1950's. To the right is a 1960's era American Locomotive Company model RS 11 roadswitcher, from the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroad.

The Commonwealth Edison Company's coal fired Crawford Generating Station along the north bank of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. Chicago Illinois. November 1988.

I took this photograph one sunny afternoon, way back in November of 1988.

We are facing west from on top of the South Kedzie Avenue bridge, over the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at approximately West 33rd Street.

Seen here in the background, is the Commonwealth Edison Company's coal fired Crawford Generating Station.

This outdated but well used electrical power plant, served the businesses and residents of Chicago's Little Village and Brighton Park neighborhoods for many years on the near southwest side of Chicago.

Just recently, current Chicago mayor Rahm Emanual, closed the Crawford power plant shown here, and another one just east of here in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood a few miles to the east.

There are currently plans on the drawing board, to redevelope this site for light industry, and to incorporate a large city park along the north bank of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal for recreation and boating.

Since I took this photograph back in November of 1988, the hil in the foreground to the right of the picture, has since been redeveloped to the site of a local halfway house for people being released from prison.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

The Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois. July 1988.

Santa Fe switching local enters Illinois.


Two trains meet on the Strasburg Railroad. Strasburg Pennsylvania USA. August 1990.

I took this photograph during my August 1990 vacation to Strasburg Pennsylvania.

Two steam trains from the Strasburg Railroad, are viewed meeting at the passing siding at the Groffs Grove open shelter picnic stop depot.

Santa Fe I-N Branchline Local at work.

I took this photograph in my old neighborhood, way back in the mid 1980's.

The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad's / Illinois Northern industrial branchline local, is viewed parked between switching movements east of South Kedzie Avenue near West 28th Street, in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Kiddieland Amusement Park. (Gone.) Melrose Park Illinois. Circa 1960's.

This photograph was sent to Me this summer, by a gentleman named Mark Yurkiw.

A popular place that once existed until 2009 in near northwest suburban Melrose Park Illinois, was the Kiddieland Amusement Park.

This photograph was taken at Kiddieland sometime during the late 1960's.

Thanks Mark.

Eddie K.

Sewer repairs on North 74th Court. Elmwood Park Illinois. October 2012.

A large scale civic project currently underway, is a major sewer repair project along North 74th Court, in the village of Elmwood Park Illinois.

Equipment and baricades are already in place.

The Thunderer.mov



I spotted this music video that was way too unique to pass up on You Tube.

One of my all time favorite American patriotic marching band songs, was none other than John Phillip. Sousa's "The Thunderer".

It must have took a lot of talent for this gentleman to actually figure out how to play this piece on a banjo, as this is a song that is normally associated with marching bands appearing in the many American 4th of July parades and festivals.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Southbound Metra morning rush hour local commuter train. Wilmette Illinois. Early April 2010.

I took this photograph one early morning around sunrise, in north suburban Wilmette Illinois.

A southbound Metra local commuter train, is viewed departing from the Wilmette Metra commuter rail station on this chilly early springtime morning in 2010.

The Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois. July 1988.

I took this photograph during a July 1988 visit to the Illinois Railway Museum. www.irm.org

Chicago, Aurora And Elgin steel interurban coach # 431, is viewed departing from the museum's East Union depot, and proceeding eastbound on to the museum's mainline.

Two trains meet at the tunnel.


Coca Cola sign at Rand Red Hots. Des Plaines Illinois. September 2012.

I took this photograph back in September of 2012.

Seen here on the side of a recently reopened and rebuilt former roadside drive in restaurant known as Rand Red Hots in Des Plaines Illinois, is this very retro Coca Cola sign.

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

I took this photograph way back in January of 1988.

A westbound Amtrak train traveling over the Illinois Central Gulf ex Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad mainline, clears the crosstracks at Chicago's Brighton Junction on the near southwest side of Chicago.

The old Campbell Soup Company building with the unique soup can water tank, has long since been demolished.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Eddie and Steve splashing it up on the Bumper Boat ride. FuntimeSquare. Alsip Illinois. May 1988.

Hi everyone!

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

Just recently, I discovered several photographs that I had taken during the 1980's that were stored in cardboard boxes, and somehow had forgotten that I had these in my collection. Some I had forgotten that I had even taken back in the day!  Wow!  What a find!

A friend of mine took this photograph of Me and my buddy Steve having fun on the Bumper Boat ride, at a place known as Fun Time Square in south suburban Alsip Illinois.
( I am the guy with the black T shirt and blue sports sweat band.)

This photograph was taken on a hot afternoon back in late May of 1988.

I seem to recall that during the 1980's, sports sweatbands wear very popular amongst young people, after seeing those music videos from the 1980's rock and roll band "Dire Straights."I was 26 years old when this photograph was taken, and I was quiete thin and in top physical shape too. Nice!

Fun Time Square as I seem to recall, was or still is located along the east side of South Cicero Avenue, between West 115th Street and West 119th Street, just immediately south of the South Cicero Avenue overpass that passes over the adjacent Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad tracks.

It has been forever since I have had the chance to visit Alsip. Does anyone know if this place is even stil in buisness?

Thanks.
Eddie K.

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


Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad EMD FT cab unit diesels on a 1950's era freight train.

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

A 1950's era freight train from the former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, is passing through the clubs model of a railroad lift bridge spaning the Missisippi River at the Illinois / Iowa state line border crossing.

Railroad block signals against the twilight sky. Glenview Illinois. September 2012.

I took this photograph one evening after work last month.

Twilight is encroaching upon the greater Chicagoland area, as these block signals along the Metra / Milwaukee District northline, stand out against the approaching night time sky.

This photograph was taken on location facing north, at the Glen of North Glenview Metra commuter rail station.