Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Eastbound CSX intermodal train. Hayford Junction. Chicago Illinois. March 2007.

I took this photo on a lovely evening during the early Springtime back in March of 2007.

An eastbound CSX Transportation Company intermodal double stack container train, approaches the single Canadian National ex GTW crosstrack at Hayford Junction in Chicago's Ashburn neighborhood.

This train is heading eastbound over the Belt Railway of Chicago.

The Oak Park Daylight crossing a tall steel trestle.



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

The ficticious Southern Pacific Railroad's Oak Park daylight, is viewed slowly crossingthe tall steel trestle on the club layout.

Eastbound CanadianNational switching train heading to nearby Crawford Yard. Hawthorne Junction. Chicago / Cicero Illinois. March 2007.

I took this photo at the Chicago city limits location known as Hawthorne Junction, back in late March of 2007.

An eastbound Canadian National train made up of tanker cars heading to the nearby ex Illinois Central Crawford Yard, crosses the Belt Railway of Chicago tracks. The hill to the
left of the photo, is the abandoned Bell Air Drive In Movie Theatre in west suburban Cicero Illinois.

In 2011, the Canadian National closed Crawford Yard and removed the tracks.

Maintenance of way equipment. The Metra Western Avenue commuter rail station. Chicago Illinois. June 2007.

I took this photo during a June 2007 visit to the Metra ex Milwaukee Road station at Western Avenue, in Chicago's Ukranian Village neighborhood.

Just west of the Western Avenue Metra commuter rail station, is this maintenance department storage depot where maintenance equipment is stored between uses.

2008 Trolley Pageant at Illinois Railway Museum

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

I found this photo on the internet recently.

For a 63 year period from 1904 until the place had closed for good in 1967, many Chicagoans would enjoy a pleasant Summer afternoon or evening visit to a local fun place known as Riverview Park.

Riverview Park was located on the northside of Chicago along North Western Avenue. The park was surrounded by West Belmont Avenue to the south, the north branch of the Chicago River to the west, and West Roscoe Street to the north.

Aside from their ever popular roller coaster rides, Riverview Park also featured several portable carnival style rides like the Roll O Plane shown here.

Today the former Riverview Park site, is now the Riverview Plaza Shopping Center. The former Riverview Roller Rink site along the southeast side of the property, is now the Chicago Police Departments huge Riverview police station and headquarters.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Southbound Canadian Pacific intermodal train crossing West Lake Avenue. Glenview Illinois USA. Wednsday, February 15th, 2012.

I took this photo recently during My morning lunch break, in north suburban Glenview Illinois USA.

A southbound Canadian Pacific Railroad intermodal train, is viewed crossing West Lake Avenue on a beautiful sunny Winter morning.

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Eddie K setting up at the Hillside Public Library..

Hello everyone!

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

Things have been very busy for Myself lately here at Eddie's Railfan Page, as I have been entertaining many offers to do public speaking presentations.

This past Saturday, I hosted a photo slideshow at the Hillside Public Library, located at 405 Hillside Avenue in west suburban Hillside Illinois USA.

Here I am in the library's downstairs meeting room setting up before the show that afternoon. 16 people were in attendance, and I also have a standing invite to host here again next year.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

CSX Transportation Co West 16th Street industrial switching local. Cicero Illinois. October 2008.

I took this photo back in October of 2008.

Two CSX Transportation Company EMD locomotives, are viewed parked alongside West 16th Street in west suburban Cicero Illinois.

These two locomotives, are today assigned to work the CSX West 16th Street industrial switching local.

This photo is facing west toward South Cicero Avenue.

Durango & Silverton Railroad steam locomotive # 481 arriving at Silverton Colorado. July 1981.

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

Durango & Silverton Railroad narrow guage 2-8-2 Mikado steam locmotive # 481, is viewed on the wye at Silverton Colorado.

Westbound Iowa, Chicago & Eastern freight train. River Grove Illinois. January 2007.

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

A westbound Iowa, Chicagho & Eastern train traveling over the Canadian Pacific Railroad ex Milwaukee Road west line mainline, passes through northwest suburban River Grove Illinois USA.

The Romantics - One In A Million



During the 1980's, I was a big fan of contemporary music.

One of My all time favorite Rock and Roll music bands on the charts during the
early 1980's, was a rocking band from Detroit Michigan known as The Romantics.

I was a huge fan of the Romantics, and this is proboubly My favorite song of theirs.

From 1983, here is their big hit "One in a million".

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Colorful American streamlined passenger cars from the past.

The era of colorful pre Amtrak passenger trains is alive and well at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers, H.O Scale Model Railroad Club.

The fluted side streamlined passenger car to the left with markings for the club's own Oak River Railroad, is actually wearing the 1950's era colors of the former New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad. The car to the right, is wearing the unique Daylight color scheme and markings from the former Southern Pacific Railroad.











I found this classic early 1970's color photograph of an old Alco locomotive from the former Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad at My Link page Fallen Flags.Org, located to the right of Your computer screen at www.rr-fallenflags.org

The photo was taken in September of 1973 by railfan photographer Jim Ford at Springfield Illinois. The railroad this locomotive is now working for, is the Illinois Central Gulf. It is now one year since the merger of the Illinois Central and the Gulf, mobile & Ohio railroads.

This locomotive would work for a few more years after the merger, and would proboubly be retired in it's former G,M & O colors and markings by the mid 1970's.

Westbound CTA Skokie Swift train. Skokie IL. Aug 2008.



I photographed this digital live sound video, back in August of 2008.

a westbound Chicago Transit Authority yellow line train, is viewed passing the Kostner Avenue railroad crossing in north suburban Skokie Illinois USA.

Early 1970's era Illinois Central Gulf Railroad caboose hop. December 2011.

One of My favorite Chicago railroad memories as a kid growing up on the near southwest side of Chicago back in the early 1970's, were seeing the trains of the former Illinois Central Gulf Railroad.

The Illinois Central Gulf Railroad, was created from the August 10th 1972 merger of the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad....and the Illinois Central Railroad.

For many years after the merger, one could find locomotives, cabooses and other equipment from the two predecessor railroads, that were still rolling around in their original color schemes.

My Life Like Proto 2000 EMD SW 7 shown here, wears the pre 1967 Illinois Central colors with the famous I.C Green Diamond logo. The caboose coupled behind, wears the post 1967 Illinois Central orange color scheme, with post 1972 markings for the Illinois Central Gulf.

I used to see these combinations on the southwest side of Chicago before I ever owned a camera, and wished I could have been lineside photographing them back then.

Sometimes You would see former Illinois Central locomotives with G,M & O cabooses, or many times even vice versa. I recall that it was a colorful if not very weather beaten in the long run era.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Eastbound CTA blue line train. Chicago Illinois USA. April 2007.

I took this photo one lovely Springtime morning, back in April of 2007.

An eastbound Chicago Transit Authority blue line rapid transit train, is viewed approaching the Canfield Road overpass bridge over the Illinois U.S Rt # I 90 Kennedy Expressway, near northwest suburban Park Ridge Illinois USA.

Carol Burnett Show - Star Trek Parody



I thought that it would be nice today, to end todays posting of Eddie's Railfan Page with a good laugh.

I grew up in Chicago Illinois during the 1960's, 70's and 80's.
One of My all time favorite live comedy network television shows, was a
very funny TV show that aired on CBS from 1967 to 1978 known as
"The Carol Burnett Show".

This TV show was a real blast to watch, as it was live and the comedy sketches
would sometimes run amuck in foul ups and clever ad libs.

Another favorite show of mine and several members of Eddie's Railfan Page, was
the original 1960's era NBC classic "Star Trek", wich aired from 1966 to 1969.

I spotted this unique "Spoof" of Star Trek on the Carol Burnett show this morning
on You Tube. I watched Carol Burnett for many years, but believe it or not...I
never ever seen this delightful all female rendition of the Starship Enterprise crew.

"Lets Watch Them Both"! L.O.L

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Monday, February 27, 2012

1974 Ford 750 Custom Cab tow truck equipped with a snowplow. Glenview Illinois USA. Friday, February 24th, 2012.

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

N B Metra local crossing Dempster Street. Morton Grove IL. Feb 2009.

The Oak Park Society of Model Engineers, H.O Scale Model Railroad Club. Oak Park Illinois USA. August 2011.

I took this photo at The Oak Park Society of Model Engineers, H.O Scale Model Railroad Club.

A Broadway Limited Imports model of a Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Baldwin V.O 1000 Yard Switcher locomotive, is viewed working the passenger terminal on the club layout.

Coming soon to the Lyons Public Library! Kiddieland and other Chicago Amusement Parks of the past! Saturday, March 24th from 1:00 until 3:00 PM! Hosted by Eddie K from the internet site "Eddie's Railfan Page"! http://eddiesrailroad.blogspot.com

The Lyons Public Library located at 4209 Joliet Avenue in west suburban Lyons Illinois, welcomes local Chicago historian and photographer Edward Kwiatkowski to the library on Saturday, March 24th, 2012 from 1:00 until 3:00 PM.

Eddie will be hosting a musical photo slideshow / multi media and lecture presentation about Chicago's historic and now long gone amusement parks of the past.

Admisiion is free.

This will be a fun event, and We hope to see You there.

Old Tastee Freeze soft serve ice cream stand. Chicago Illinois USA.Saturday, October 15th, 2011.

I took this photo last October in the South Chicago neighborhood on the far southeast side of the city of Chicago Illinois.

A popular subject with many photographers, are those little roadside eateries that once blanketed the greater Chicagoland area.

This old 1950's era Tastee Freeze soft serve ice cream stand, was photographed near East 103rd Street.

These roadside or street corner ice cream stands, were usually opened on a seasonal basis. This one with the large metal burgler screens over the windows and doors, may have either already closed for the season by the time of My visit, or may have actually went out of business a nuumber of years ago.

There are still a small number of these in several Chicago neighborhoods, and in the outlying suburbs today.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Preparing to lower the rear hi rail wheels. Des Plaines Illinois USA. November 2011.

I took this photo last November one morning during My lunch break.

A maintenance of way department crew from the Union Pacific Railroad, is viewed preparing to lower the Hi Rail wheels on this Freightliner maintenance truck, for a journey across their freight only "Techny Line".

This behind the scenes view, was taken at the Wolf Road railroad crossing.

Friday, February 24, 2012

The Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad's Argo Yard. Summit Illinois. July 2007.

Hi everyone!

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

Two H.O Scale freight trains meet.



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

My 1960's / 1970's era Santa Fe freight train, meets a Burlington Northern transfer train along the main line of the club's layout.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

The Mc Donald's Museum on Lee Street. Des Plaines Illinois USA. Monday night, January 30th, 2012.

I took this photo recently one night, in northwest suburban Des Plaines Illinois USA.

Seen here along the west side of Lee Street just north of downtown Des Plaines, is the Mc Donald's museum.

This was not the first Mc Donald's fast food hamburger restaurant, but rather the eighth.
This location, was actually the first corporate Mc Donald's restaurant location, and the old 1950's era building with a walk up window and the vintage neon signage, has been preserved as a museum today.

The real working Mc Donald's, is just across the street from here.

Southbound Canadian Pacific transfer train. Chicago Illinois USA.October 2006.

I took this photo back in October of 2006 just before sunset on a lovely Autum day.

A southbound Canadian Pacific transfer train traveling over the elevated Belt Railway of Chicago right of way, is viewed approaching the "Flyover" junction with the Metra / Union Pacific west line to Elburn Illinois, at the location of West Kinzie Street and North Kenton Avenue in Chicago Illinois.

The train is passing the long abandoned Brach's Candy Factory in the background.

Tanker truck departing from the Marathon convenience gas station. Northbrook Illinois USA. February 2012.

I took this photo earlier this week, at the Marathon convenience gasoline station in Northbrook Illinois USA.

A Mack conventional tractor and tanker trailer from the W! Smoth Cartage Company, has just delivered a load of fresh fuel to the gasline station, and is now departing the Marathon station at the intersection of Shermer and Techny Roads in Northbrook Illinois.

I was fueling My companie's Ford paratransit bus at the time of this photo, before My return to the nearby garage in Glenview Illinois at the end of My shift.

Thanks.
Eddie K.












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

Just a community reminder everyone.

Don't forget, I will be hosting "When Chicago Rode The Streetcars" at the
Hillside Public Library from 1:00 to 3:00 PM tommorow in the library's
downstairs meeting room.

The Hillside Public Library, is located at 405 Hilside Avenue, in west
suburban Hillside Illinois. Admission is free.

This will be a fun event and We hope to see You there.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Eddie K celebrates His 4th anniversary as a Paratransit driver!

Hi everyone!

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

Wow! Has it actually been four years already?

It just seems like yesterday, that I left a Dead End- Go Nowhere job as an unhappy outside sales rep for a company that gave Me NO Sales Support or Respect, and ended up becoming a handicapped bus operator.

Four years later, I couldn't be happier!
I work with one of the all time "Coolest" work crews. We all get along great, and We treat each other like a big family.

It has been a wonderful experience, and it only gets better with time.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Katz Management Company Snowplow equipped Ford F 250 pick up truck. Glenview Illinois USA. February 2012.

Even though February of 2012 has been very mild and Springlike so far with little or no snow...one can never know when a snowstorm can hit the greater Chicagoland area.

This Ford F 250 snowplow equipped Ford pick up truck from the Katz Management Company in Glenview Illinois, is at the ready in a local industrial park .Notice the rock salt residue on the pavement.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Eddie's Railfan Page celebrates it's 6th Anniversary!

Wow!

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

Yes folks it's true. It's hard to believe that the first posting of Eddie's Railfan Pgae occured on Wednsday, February 8th 2006. Where did the time go by?

My blogsite wich was started with a big helping hand from My buddy Tom Gill from My Link page "Tom's Photos and Comments", has actually grown by many leaps and bounds.

Many doors have opened for Me through this blogsite, one of them being "Public Speaking" at a number of local Chicago area suburban public libraries in the past few years.

Proboubly the nicest and most positive thing that I have experienced from all of this, are the many wonderful people I have met who are regular readers of Eddie's Railfan Page.

One of those people who actually recognized Me in public by surprise during a September 2010 visit to the Hesston Steam Museum in northwestern Indiana, was one of the museum volunteers named Ted.

Eddie's Railfan Page is a success due to all the help and support from everyone. The many comments that are shared via E Mail, are always a big help and are greatly appreciated.

Thank You for six great years everyone!

Eddie K.

The Chicago Botanic Garden. Glencoe Illinois USA. Wednsday, September 15th, 2010.

I took this photo back in September of 2010.

A very pleasant and popular attraction to visit in the greater Chicagoland area, is the Chicago Botanic Garden located in north suburban Glencoe Illinois USA.

Aside from their numerous outdoor flower gardens and varieties of plant life, The Chicago Botanic Garden also operates an outdoor G Scale model railroad exhibit on a seasonal basis. This exhibit features several outdor G scale model train layouts, passing through many lovely outdoor gardens.

Seen here above the indoor Information Center window, is an LGB model of an 1880's era Colorado narrow guage passenger train.

Coming soon to the Lyons Public Library! "Remembering Kiddieland AndOther Chicago Amusement Parks Of The Past! Saturday March 24th from1:00 Until 3:00 PM! Hosted by Eddie K from Eddie's Railfan Page!http://eddiesrailroad.blogspot.com

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

Please mark Your calendar!

On Saturday, March 24th 2012, I will be hosting a musical photo slideshow -Multi Media -Lecture event at the Lyons Public Library honoring Chicago's Historic Amusement Parks Of The Past.

If You and Your family have happy Summertime memories of places like Riverview Park in Chicago, Adventureland in Addison Illinois, Playland Park in Justice Illinois, or Kiddieland in Melrose Park Illinois...Then You won't want to miss this fun and nostalgic event.

The Lyons Public Library is located at 4209 South Joliet Avenue, in west suburban Lyons Illinois.

Admission is free.

Thank You.
Eddie K.

Westbound CN train at dusk. Elmwood Park IL. August 2011.



I photographed this digital live sound video one Summer evening last August.

A westbound Canadian National freight train, passes the 75th Avenue railroad crossing in Elmwood Park Illinois at dusk.

The Oak Park Society of Model Engineers H.O Scale Model Railroad Club. Oak Park Illinois USA. May 2011.

I took this photo last year, during a special operating session night at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers, H.O Scale Model Railroad Club.

My Athearn EMD model GP 35 roadswitcher wearing the 1960 to 1972 era Santa Fe freight color scheme, is viewed working a switching local on the club layout.

City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation Autocar garbage truck. Chicago Illinois USA. February 2012.

I took this photo one afternoon last week.

A City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation Autocar garbage truck, is photographed turning westbound on to Forest Preserve Drive, at the intersection of West Irving Park Road at the border of north suburban Norridge Illinois.

In the background is the Harlem Irving Plaza shopping center mall.

Digital Live Sound Video: Westbound Metra commuter train passing over the Canadian National crosstracks. Franklin Park Illinois. June 2008.

I photographed this digital live sound video after work one Summer evening, back in June of 2008.

A westbound Metra commuter train rnroute to Elgin Illinois, passes through the Canadian Pacific and former Wiscon Central crosstrack junction, on the east side of northwest suburban Franklin Park Illinois.

This end of the day train, is viewed heading off in to the sunset on a quiet Summer evening.

Idling at the top of the hump. The BNSF Railway Corwith Yard. Chicago Illinois. March 2008.

I took this photo one afternoon after work, back in March of 2008.

Two BNSF Railway EMD roadswitcher locomotives, are viewed idling at the top of the south hump at the former A,T & S,F Corwith Yard near South Archer Avenue and West 47th Street in Chicago's Brighton Park neighborhood.

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

A St. Petersburg Tram Company O Scale model of a Chicago Surface Lines1936 PCC streamlined streetcar.

I found this photograph on the internet recently.

The Saint Petersburg Tram Company, is a fine O Scale import company specializing in non operating static models of North American buses and electric streetcars.

One of their more popular offerings, is this model of a Chicago Surface Lines Company (Pre CTA) 1936 vintage streamlined PCC streetcar.

These cars were designed by a group of transit executives in Washington DC operating under the leadership of then U.S President Franklin D. Roosevelt, to lure ridership back to city transit company streetcars across America during The Great Depression era. This group of transit professionals, were known as the President's Conference Commitee. These cars were thus refered to as PCC cars.

Chicago's cars like the model shown here, were delivered in this unique muted blue and cream color scheme, with a red belt rail below the windows. This was known as the CSL's "Blue Goose" color scheme.

The wide broad horizontal stripes across the front, were added by the CSL in 1945, for added safety and visibility in traffic on Chicago's city streets.

Car # 4021 is the only known survivor from Chicago's 1936 fleet of streamlined PCC streetcars that were built by the Saint Louis Car Comapny, and is preserved in inoperable display condition inside one of the barns at The Illinois Railway Museum in the town of Union Illinois USA. www.irm.org

It is displayed in it's original 1936 color scheme.

These cars originally operated on the CSL Rt # 20 Madison Street line when new in 1936.



These 1936 cars also operated on the post 1947 Chicago Transit Authority Rt 63 /63rd Street streetcar line, and the CTA Rt # 4 Cottage Grove line. In 1951, they were repainted in to a simple green and cream color scheme, wich was nicknamed the "Green Hornet" color scheme in honor of a popular comic book superhero. Some local Chicagoans refered to these as the "Green Hornet Streetcars" in later years. During the early years, they were known as "Blue Geese".

Thanks.
Eddie K.

The Oak Park Daylight passenger 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 1941 Lima Locomotive Works Southern Pacific Railroad GS 4 class 4-8-4 streamlined steam locomotive wearing the famous SP Daylight passenger color scheme, pulls the ficticious Oak Park Daylight passenger train on the club's layout.

The Hanover Park Metra commuter rail station. Hanover Park Illinois. September 2007.

I took this photo one lovely morning, back in early September of 2007.

Seen here near Lake Street / Illinois U.S Rt # 20 near Barrington Road, is the Hanover Park Metra commuter rail station.

This brick station building, serves Metra commuter rail passengers on the Metra Milwaukee District west line to Elgin Illinois.

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



I photographed this digital live sound video last week wednsday during My morning lunch break.

Heading southwest across West Lake Avenue in north suburban Glenview Illinois, We see a Canadian Pacific Railroad intermodal train traveling over the Union Pacific Railroad's freight only Techny line.

Northbound Canadian Pacific intermodal transfer train with a former Soo Line caboose. Chicago Illinois. June 2007.

I took this photo after work one hot Summer afternoon, back in June of 2007.

Cabooses have disappeared for the most part on many American railroads begining during the 1980's. For some reason or another, the Canadian Pacific Railroad is still using several former Soo Line cabooses on transfer trains traveling over the Belt Railway of Chicago.

This northbound CP intermodal transfer, was photographed passing over the West 47th Street underpass viaduct near South Knox Avenue.

Westbound Metra morning commuter local departing Brookfield Illinois. December 2006.

I took this photo on a mild December morning back in 2006.

A westbound Metra morning rush hour local commuter train enroute to Aurora Illinois, has just departd from the Brookfield Metra commuter rail station at Prairie Avenue.

The train has clear weather and a clear track ahead on it's westbound morning journey.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Berwyn Public Works dump truck with snow plow. Berwyn Illinois. January2008.

Hello everyone!

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

What do You do with a snowplow equipped Ford dump truck from the Berwyn Department of Public Works when it is mild outside and no snow to be plowed anywhere? Easy! Just fill the dump body with asphalt and go out and patch a few potholes in the street.

I took this photo back in early January of 2008, at the intersection of South Harlem Avenue and West Windsor Street, in west suburban Berwyn Illinois.

One week after I took this photo, a heavy lake effect snowstorm would strike the greater Chicagoland area. Better keep the plow on for now. You can never tell when the snow may come.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Norfolk Southern freight train waiting on a hold order. Chicago Illinois. January 2008.

I took this photo one morning, back in early January of 2008.

A Norfolk Southern freight train made up of empty intermodal double stack container cars, waits for clearance to proceed westbound, at the Wrightwood Metra commuter rail station near the three way intersection of South Kedzie Avenue, West 79th Street, and Southwest Highway (Columbus Drive.) in Chicago's Ashburn and Wrightwood neighborhoods.

1950's era F.W Woolworth Store Lunch Counter menu.

Heres a real piece of nostalgia for You.

My family and I, were one of many people who grew up with the old F.W Woolworth stores in their old neighborhoods in Chicago.

Seen here is an old 1950's era F.W Woolworth lunch counter menu that was sent to Me a few years ago.

Check out those prices!

Coming soon to the Lyons Public Library! Kiddieland And Other Chicago Amusement Parks Of The Past! Saturday, March 24th from 1:00 until 3:00 PM! Hosted by Eddie K from Eddie's Railfan Page! http://eddiesrailroad.blogspot.com

The Lyons Public Library located at 4209 South Joliet Avenue in west suburban Lyons Illinois, welcomes local Chicago historian and photographer Edward Kwiatkowski to the library on Saturday, March 24th 2012 from 1:00 until 3:00 PM.

Eddie will be hosting a musical photo slideshow, multi media and lecture show about Chicago's once many historic amusement parks from the past.

If You could remember Riverview Park in Chicago, Adventureland in Addison Illinois, Playland Park in Justice Illinois, or the recently closed Kiddieland Amusement Park in northwest suburban Melrose Park Illinois, then You won't want to miss this fun and nostalgic presentation.

This will be a fun event, and We hope to see You there! Admisiion is free.

Southern Railway 401 On April 16, 2011



I found this video on You Tube this morning.

After many years of intensive restoration, former Southern Railway 2-8-0 steam locomotive # 401, now pulls passenger excursion trains at the Monticello Railroad Museum at Monticello Illinois USA.

Eastbound Union Pacific unit coal train entering the city of Chicago Illinois. October 2006.

I took this photo back in October of 2006 around sunset.

An eastbound Union Pacific unit coal train, is viewed crossing North kilbourn Avenue at West Kinzie Street, inside Chicago's Northwest Industrial Park on the west side of the city.

The official Chicago city seal. Chicago Illinois. October 2006.

I took this photo back in October of 2006, on West Erie Street in Chicago's Ukranian Village neighborhood.

Seen here on the right side door of a City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation White / GMC garbage truck...is the official Chicago City Seal.

Eastbound orange Kenosha Wisconsin PCC streetcar. Kenosha Wisconsin. September 2000.

I took this photo during a September 2000 fantrip excursion to Kenosha Wisconsin.

The downtown Kenosha Wisconsin streetcar line was new in 2000, having opened for business on Saturday, June 17th of that year.

Seen here a few months later in early September of 2000, is Kenosha's orange former Toronto Transit Commision 1951 PCC streetcar heading eastbound toward Harbor Park along the grassy private right of way.

Digital live sound video: A night time westbound Norfolk Southern freight train speeds through west suburban La Grange Illinois. June 2008.

Manufactuers Junction Railroad interchange local. Hawthorne Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

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

I braved bitterly cold single digit outside temperatures with a sharp wind blowing out of the west, to capture this rare snapshot.

Seen here at Hawthorne Junction, is a Manufacturers Junction Railroad local turning north off of the Canadian National ex Illinois Central RR Iowa Division Mainline, and heading northbound over the Belt Railway of Chicago with a few cars in tow.

This litle train had just departed from the Canadian National's ex Illinois Central Hawthorne Yard, located in nearby west suburban Cicero Illinois USA.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Patching potholes on Forest Preserve Drive. Chicago Illinois. Monday, January 5th, 2009.

Hello everyone!

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

I took this photo a few years ago, back in early January of 2009.

Wintertime in Chicago, isn't always the fabled land of snow and ice. Sometimes the outside temperatures can be somewhat mild on occasion.

When the outside weather conditions merit, city crews are often dispatched to go on location and patch potholes along Chicago's many busy streets.

Chicago's street sweeping schedule is listed as April 1st to November 1st of any given year. However...if the conditions are pleasant enough, these vehicles can also be found tidying up Chicago's many city streets at any time during the Winter.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Digital Live Sound Video: Eastbound Chicago Transit Authority, Orange line rapid transit train. Chicago Illinois. June 2008.

I photographed this digital live sound video, back in June of 2008.

An eastbound Chicago Transit Authority orange line rapid transit train enroute to downtown Chicago from Midway Airport, is viewed passing over the South Lawndale Avenue underpass bridge near West 49th Street, in Chicago's Elsdon neighborhood.

Former Illinois Central and Wisconsin Central locomotives acquired by Canadian National through merger. Franklin Park Illinois. December 2008.

I took this photo back in December of 2008.

Locomotives and equipment from recent fallen flag railroads acquired through mergers, are a common site today in the greater Chicagoland area.

These locomotives from the former Illinois Central and Wisconsin Central Railroads, were acquired through merger in recent years by the Canadian National Railroad.

These two EMD locomotives, are waiting for clearance to depart from the Canadian Pacific ex Milwaukee Road Bensenville Yard with an eastbound freight train.

Watching Streetcars in San Francisco!




I spotted this video on You Tube this morning.

Electric city streetcars came and went in most American citties, but somehow managed to stay in the city of San Francisco California USA.

These vintage cars from the past operating on the San Francisco municipal Railway's F Market street line, are a popular and pollution free tourist attraction in the city by the bay.

Thanks.
Eddie K.














I found this photo at My Link page Dave's Electric Railroads, located to the right of Your computer screen at www.davesrailpix.com

The Philadelphia Suburban Transit Company, was an interurban railroad that operated out of Philadelphia Pennsylvania, that has stood the test of time, and operated well past the life expectency of any North American interurban railroad.

This photo from the Joe Testagrosse collection, was taken in 1970.

The Philadelphia Suburban Transit interurban lines today, are operated by Philadelphia's SoutheastPennsylvania Transit Authority today (SEPTA) using modern light rail trolley cars. Many pieces of the fomer Philadelphia Suburban Transit Company interurban cars, are preserved and operated at a few trolley museums in the eastern United States.













I found this photo at My Link page Fallen Flags.Org, located to the right of Your computer screen at www.rr-fallenflags.org

No photographer's name or photo location is given for this particular image.

This photo is listed as an Illinois entral EMD model GP 18 roadswitcher, with a low nose that was photographed in May of 1968.

This basic and utilitarian black and white color scheme, was used on Illinois Central EMD freight service locomotives prior to 1967, when it was replaced by a colorful orange and white color scheme.

Arizona & Eastern 6070!!!!!!! Westbound Under Pennsy Signals Chicago, IL

Westbound Metra express commuter train passing the Norwood Park. Metra commuter rail station. Chicago Illinois. Friday, December 1st, 2006 Chicago snowstorm.

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

The date of Friday, December 1st, 2006...had found the greater Chicagoland area hit with a heavy all morning lake effect snowstorm.

This photo was taken just before sunset, at the Norwood Park Metra commuter rail station.
A westbound Metra evening rush hour express comuter train enroute to Harvard Illinois, passes a very wintery looking scene on the far northwest side of Chicago Illinois.

The demolition of the Marquette Theatre building at West 63rd Street and South Kedzie Avenue. Chicago Illinois. August 1987.

I took this photograph, way back in August of 1987.

Neighborhood landmarks come and go. Unfortunately....the Marquette Movie Theatre building on West 63rd Street and South Kedzie Avenue in Chicago's Marquette Park neighborhood, was one that had went.

This view facing southeast, shows the demolition of the building. Notice that there wasn't any temporary rental fencing at the demolition site like You would see today.

Safety standards have come along way according to this.

Thanks.
Edie K.

A former Soo Line locomotive and caboose. Schiller Park Illinois. November 2008.

I took this photo one late Autum afternoon, back in November of 2008.

A locomotive and caboose from the former Soo Line Railroad, are viewed parked on top of the Lawrence Avenue viaduct, in northwest suburban Schiller Park Illinois.