Friday, November 30, 2012

The Cook County Forest Preserve's National Grove. Riverside Illinois. October 2012.

Hi everyone!

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

I took this photograph in October of 2012, in west suburban Riverside Illinois.

Seen here, is the brand new pavillion, at the Cook County Forest Preserve District's National Grove picnic grove alon the west side of Des Plaines Avenue near West 31st Street.

This new structure was recently erected, replacing an older and smaller flat roofed 1950's era pavillion shelter structure.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Chicago's Midway Airport. Chicago Illinois. April 1990.

I took this photograph at Chicago's Midway Airport, way back in April of 1990.

A privately owned airplane, is viewed along with a commercial Southwest Airlines jet plane on the airport runways.

This photograph was taken looking through the now long since replaced chain link fencing, along the south side of the airport along West 63rd Street.

The temporary wooden snow fencing in the foreground, helped to keep snow from blowing on to Chicago's neighborhood streets around the airport during wintertime operations, as the jets that would take off, were known to cause "White Out" conditions as the jet engines would blow snow on the street. The wooden snow fencing wasn't always succesful either.

Today, large 20 foot tall noise abatement walls surround the perimeter of Chicago's Midway Airport.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

1960's A,T & S,F local slowly passing through a yard.



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

My circa late 1960's era switching local from the former Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, is viewed slowly passing through a yard on the club layout, with the horn tooting and bell ringing.

The locomotive, is a Bachman model of an American Locomotive Company  (Alco)  model
S 4 yard switcher diesel electric locomotive equipped with DCC and sound.

Vito and Nick's Pizza. Chicago Illinois. June 2009.

One of my favorite happy memories from growing up on the southwest side of Chicago, was occasionaly visiting the many savory local pizzeria restaurants that are still in great abundance today. The southside of Chicago was always known for reaaly good pizza and Italian cuisine.

One of my favorite southside Chicago neighborhood pizzeria restaurant establishments, is the original Vito and Nick's Pizza restaurant, located at the southeast corner of South Pulaski Road and West 84th Street. They also have a Hickory Hills location in a strip mall at West 95th Street and South Robert's Road.

Their pizza was featured on the cablle television Food Network, and the taste is sure to bring you back craving some of that savory southside Chicago flavor. Mmmmmm!

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Grand Trunk Western locomotives idling at the former Elsdon Yard site. Chicago Illinois USA. December 1983.

I took this photograph on an overcast and chilly Saturday afternoon, way back in December of 1983.

The Grand Trunk Western Railroad had just recently closed their Elsdon Yard facility on West 51st Street in Chicago, during October of 1983. Surprisingly for a few more years, the GTW decided to keep a very small portion of the former Elsdon Yard site alive, as a locomotive and crew change terminal until September of 1986.

This photograph was taken facing north, from West 51st Street near South Lawndale Avenue. Sometimes locomotives were fueled on site by semi tanker trucks here at this curve location.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE CARTOON INTRO.



One of my happy memories from when I was growing up in Chicago during the 1960's and 70's, was watching the original "George of the jungle" television cartoon show on Saturday mornings.

This cartoon show, was produced by Jay Ward Productions, which were the same people who produced "The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle", as well as "Hoppity Hooper", Dudley Do Right" and "Fractured Fairy Tales" to name a few.

Here is the original George of the jungle cartoon show opening, with that amazingly "Catchy" television theme song.

"WATCH   OUT  FOR  THAT  TREEE -EEEE !"

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Night time at the Wilmette B.P Ampcp gasoline station. Wilmette Illinois. November 2012.

I took this photograph one work night recently at the end of my split route shift, in north suburban Wilmette Illinois.

Seen here at the northeast corner of Lake Avenue and Skokie Road, are the posted gasoline prices at the Wilmette B.P Amoco gasoline station for November of 2012.

Westbound Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad short freight train. Chicago Illinois. April 1990.

I took this photograph way back in early April of 1990.

A short westbound freight train from the former Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, is viewed from the top of the west side, of the South Pulaski Road overpass bridge at approximately West 35th Street. (On private property)

Digital Live Sound Video: Pacing a New York Central 4-8-2 Mohawk steam locomotive and passenger train through Stocton.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Eastbound CTA Rt # 62 / Archer Avenue bus. Chicago Illinois. April 1990.

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

I grew up on the southwest side of Chicago many years ago, and I have many happy memories from Chicago's Brighton Park, Elsdon, Archer Heights, Westlawn, Garfield Ridge and Clearing neighborhood communities near Midway Airport.

I was a very avid 35mm photographer during the 1980's and early 1990's in Chicago. It was a fun hobby for myself, and I enjoyed taking my camera out with me whenever possible.

I have many happy memories in particular, from Chicago's Archer Heights neighborhood. Between attending Curie High School from 1977 to 1981, bowling at Marzano's Miami Bowl, eating at Mount Pindo's Restaurant, as well as the Fireside Pub Pizzeria, the little diner at West 49th Street and South Pulaski Road with the neon "Eat" sign owned by the late great Elvira Scala (1917-2008), dining at Di Cresenzo's Pizzeria, and attending the annual summer carnival at Saint Richard's Catholic Parish...this neighborhood was full of many happy memories and nice people.

This photograph seen here, was one of those occasional "Random" snap shots I would sometimes take just for the heck of it all.

An eastbound Chicago Transit Authority Rt # 62 ? Archer Avenue bus enroute to downtown Chicago, is viewed passing the locally popular Firehouse Hot Dogs near South Keeler Avenue.

Ahhhh yes. Archer Avenue was fun for me.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

The Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois. July 1988.

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

A preserved Chicago Transit Authority 4000 series rapid transit car from the 1920's era, heads westbound on the museum mainline operating as a single unit.

For more information about the Illinois Railway Museum in the town of Union Illinois, log on to their website at www.irm.org

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Midway Airlines jet landing at Chicago's Midway Airport. (Defunct) Chicago Illinois. April 1990.

I took this photograph, way back in April of 1990.

A commercial jet plane from the short lived Midway Airlines, is viewed landing at Chicago's Midway Airport on a sunny springtime afternoon.

This photograph was taken, looking through the long since replaced chain link fencing on West 63rd Street, between South Cicero and Central Avenues.

Village of Oak Park Illinois side loading garbage truck heading westbound on Chicago Avenue. Oak Park Illinois. December 2006.

I took this photograph, back in December of 2006.

A small side loading garbage truck from the Village of Oak Park Department of Public Works, is viewed heading westbound on West Chicago Avenue, near the intersection of North Harlem Avenue on an overcast December morning.

The Frosted Mug Drive In at West 116th Street and South Pulaski Road. (Closed) Alsip Illinois. January 1990.

I took this photograph (Originally in color), way back in January of 1990.

One of my all time favorite eateries I enjoyed visiting both before and after I finally purchased my first car in 1991, was the classic roadside Frosted Mug Drive In Restaurant, located at West 116th Street and South Pulaski Road in the town of Alsip Illinois.

Before I owned my first car, I would often hop the Chicago Transit Authority Rt # 52A / South Kedzie Avenue bus, and ride it to the end of the line at nearby West 115th Street and South Springfield Avenue, in the adjacent Mount Greenwood neighborhood of Chicago, and walk a couple of city blocks or so to get here.

The food was tasty and inexpensive, the atmosphere was delightfully retro, and the classic car shows on Tuesday and Saturday nights were really cool to attend.

The Frosted Mug was sold during the fall of 2007 and closed. Some remodeling work was done, but soon even that came to a stop.

I hope that one day this too will reopen as one of those classic American roadside drive in restaurants from the 1950's and 60's era, with year round car hop service just as the owner of the Frosted Mug had did for many years.

Thanks.
Eddie k.

Digital Live Sound Video: Pacing a New York Central 4-8-2 Mohawk steam locomotive and freight train through Stocton.

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

A Broadway Limited Imports model of a New York Central Railroad 4-8-2 Mohawk class steam locomotive, pulls a short fast heavyweight passenger train through the ficticious town of Stocton Illinois on the club layout.

This model is proudly owned and operated by my good friend and fellow club member Martin.

Westbound Canadian National freight train on a hold order. Berwyn Illinois. December 2007.

I took this photograph on a snowy day, back in December of 2007.

A westbound Canadian National Railroad freight train, is viewed waiting on a hold order, just east of the Riverside Drive railroad crossing, in the west suburban village of Berwyn Illinois.

This looks like a holiday Christmas card scene.

Illinois Central Railroad EMD SW 9 yard switcher in the black pre 1967 color scheme.

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

I grew up on the near southwest side of Chicago during the 1960's, 70's and 80's.
During this period, I would often enjoy seeing
the equipment from the Illinois Central, the
Gulf, Mobile & Ohio, and the 1972 merger era
Illinois Central Gulf railroad.

Seen here on the club layout, is my Life Like Proto 2000 Series model of an Illinois Central Railroad EMD model SW 9 diesel electric yard switcher locomotive. This engine, is painted in the pre 1967 black and white Illinois Central color scheme with the I.C Green Diamond corporate logo on the side of the cab.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

The intersection of South Archer and Kedzie Avenues. Chicago Illinois. January 1990.

Hi everyone!

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

Just recently, several 35mm photographs that I had taken during the 1980's and early 1990's, had surfaced during a recent trip to my Mother's house. After being kept in boxes for several years, I would now like to share some of my "Lost" photographs from my own personal archives.

I took this photograph in color originally, but I thought that it might be interesting to see how this one would look in black and white as well.

It is January of 1990 during a mild weather thaw cycle on the southwest side of Chicago. Seen here facing northeast on the diagonal South Archer Avenue, is the intersection of South Archer and Kedzie Avenues, in Chicago's Brighton Park neighborhood.

I used to hang out in this neighborhood, and met some nice friends at a place known as Jimmy's Gyros across the street, and out of view to the right of this photograph.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Southbound Metra local. Glenview IL. Dec 2008.


The Metra Western Avenue commuter rail station. Chicago Illinois. October 2006.

I tookthis photograph one morning, back in October of 2006.

Seen here is the former Milwaukee Road station at Western Avenue in Chicago Illinois.This passenger train station, is used by Metra commuter trains that serve the former Milwaukee Road lines.

A former Grand Trunk Western Railroad EMD roadswitcher working the CN Crawford Yard. Chicago Illinois. Early November 2007.

I took this photograph one evening after work, back in early November of 2007.

A former Grand Trunk Western Railroad EMD roadswitcher acquired through merger in 1999 by the Canadian National Railroad, is viewed switching cars at the former Illinois Central Railroad's Crawford Yard, just east of west suburban Cicero Illinois.

Since I took this photograph, the CN closed Crawford Yard in 2011 and removed the tracks. The Commonwealth Edison Company's coal fired Crawford Generating Station power plant in the background, was closed by Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel in 2012. Demolition work was begun recently on the striped smokestack to the right of the photograph.

Eastbound Amtrak train. Willow Springs Illinois. Early September 1988.

I took this photograph during a Sunday afternoon bicycle ride, way back in early September of 1988.

An eastbound Amtrak train enroute to Chicago Union Station, speeds through southwest suburban Willow Springs Illinois.

Eastbound Metra crossing West Devon Avenue. Jan 2012.


Construction of the CTA orange line rapid transit to Midway Airport. Chicago Illinois. January 1990.

I took this photograph way back in January of 1990.

Several construction vehicles are gathered and staged, at the future site of the Chicago Transit Authority's Midway Airport terminal on the CTA orange line rapid transit project.

The Chicago Transit Authority did not color code their transit routes until 1993. Prior to that, this line was often refered to as the CTA Southwest Elevated Line.

Elmwood Park Department of Public Works snowplow truck. Elmwood Park Illinois. December 2010.

I took this photograph back in December of 2010.

A small Ford dump truck from the Elmwood Park Department of Public Works, is viewed heading westbound on West Wellington Street on a sunny winter afternoon.

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Vintage White jet fuel tanker trucks at Chicago's Midway Airport.Chicago Illinois. April 1990.

Hi everyone!

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

Just recently, several boxes containing many 35mm photographs I had taken during the 1980's and early 1990's surfaced during a trip to my Mother's house a little over a month ago. After being put in storage for many years, I will now share some of my "Lost" photographs with you.

I took this photograph way back in April of 1990. Two classic vintage White jet fuel tanker trucks, are seen parked along the south fence at Chicago's Midway Airport on West 63rd Street.

The times were much simpler back then on Chicago's southwest side, as most of the fencing along the southside of Midway Airport, was actually chain link fencing back then.

Many local family would take their children here in past years, to see the various planes take off and land on the airfield here.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Southbound Burlington Northern transfer train approaching the West 67th Street railroad crossing. Chicago Illinois. January 1990.

I took this photograph (In color originally) way back in January of 1990.

Traveling southbound over the Belt Railway of Chicago tracks near South Knox Avenue, a Burlington Northern Railroad transfer freight train, is viewed approaching the West 67th Street railroad crossing. This train will turn left at the West 68th Street interchange wye junction, and proceed eastbound in to the "Chicago" side of the Belt Railway of Chicago's Clearing Yard facility.

Midway Airlines jet landing at Chicago's Midway Airport. (Defunct) Chicago Illinois. April 1990.

I took this photograph way back in April of 1990.

Looking east from the north side of West 63rd Street near South Cicero Avenue, We see a jet plane from the now long since defunct Midway Airlines, coming in for a landing at Chicago's Midway Airport.

The chain link fencing to the left of this photograph, has long since been replaced with tall noise abatement walls. Most of that happened in the wake of the September 11th 2001 Islamic terrorist attacks on America.

Little River Railroad


Public works project announcement on North 74th Court. Elmwood Park Illinois. Late October 2012.

Much local road construction and civic improvements have taken place recently in Elmwood Park Illinois.

North 74th Court has recieved sewer repairs and fresh blacktop. The streets were definately showing years of wear and tear. Now they are like new.

A special thank you is due for the hardworking and dedicated workers from the Elmwood Park Public Works.

Thank you for a job well done.

Eddie K.

Chicago & Northwestern Railroad local freight train crossing the tall steel trestle.

I took this photograph a few weeks ago, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club.

My Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad freight train bing pulled by a Walter's Trainline Series EMD GP 15 diesel electric locomotive, crosses the tall steel trestle over a valley.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Construction of the CTA orange line to Midway Airport. Chicago Illinois. January 1990.

I took this photograph, way back in January of 1990.

Construction is now well underway, at the future site of the Chicago Transit Authority's Midway Airport terminal of the "New" CTA orange line rapid transit.

This photograph was taken facing north / northwest near West 59th Street, just east of South Cicero Avenue. This view shows the future site of the yard, maintenance facility and terminal during construction.

The CTA orange line rapid transit to Midway Airport, would officially open for business in November of 1993.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Northbound CTA Purple line train at the Isabella Street railroadcrossing. Wilmette Illinois. Early March 2009.

I took this photograph, back in early March of 2009.

Seen here on a dry, chilly and overcast late winter morning, is a northbound Chicago Transit Authority purple line rapid transit train, heading for the Linden Avenue terminal a few city blocks to the north of this location.

This train was photographed at the Isabella Street CTA railroad crossing, in north suburban Wilmette Illinois.

CB&Q 5632 on a fantrip - Classic Trains Magazine

CB&Q 5632 on a fantrip - Classic Trains Magazine

I found this 1960's era steam powered railroad excursion video from the former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, courtessy of Classic Trains Magazine and Herron Rail videos.

From 1955 until 1966, the Chicago, Burlington & Quicny Railroad  (Today BNSF Railway), operated several mainline steam locomotive powered fantrips out of the city of Chicago and other online communities.

Although the Burlington was commited to dieselization of their motive power fleet, the C,B & Q was also a late user of steam locomotives as well, and set aside several for preservation during the late 1950's and early 1960's era. Although steam locomotive # 563s shown here was unfortunately scrapped around 1970, the C,B & Q saved 4 of these 4-8-4 steam locomotives.

The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy steam powered fantrip railfan excursions of the 1950's and 60's era, must have been really something else to experience back in the day.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation compact Sterling garbage truck. Chicago Ilinois. November 2006.

I took this photograph back in November of 2006.

Seen here in downtown Chicago Illinois on an overcast November morning, is a tiny Sterling garbage truck from the City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation. This little economy sized garbage truck, is viewed performing curb side collection, or what is also known as a "Basket Run" in downtown Chicago.

These little trucks, are often refered to as "Peanut Trucks" by Chicago Streets and Sanitation crews for their small size. These trucks are often utilized for trash collection dutties, in Chicago's older neighborhoods with narrow alleys.

GLEN CAMPBELL - WICHITA LINEMAN



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

I have mentioned in many of my recent past postings of Eddie's Railfan Page, that "Happy Memories" are a very important part of my blogsite, and help to make it more entertaining. Although this is primarilly a blogsite aimed at trains and transportation enthusiasts like myself and a few others out there, I also like to incorporate an element of variety.

One of my favorite happy memories growing up in Chicago during the 1960's and 70's era, was listening to the many wonderful hit songs by country music singer and guitarist Glen Campbell.

Wichita Lineman was a huge hit song composed by Jimmy Webb, that was also later recorded by several other artists including Tom Jones, James Taylor, and guitarist Johnny A in recent times. Wichita Lineman was a big top selling hit for Glen Campbell in the year of 1969.

Here is an old video clip of a young Glen Campbell  performing Wichita Lineman with a full orchestra.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Grand Trunk Western Railroad EMD SW 1200 yard switcher wearing parent company Canadian National colors. Durand Michigan. August 6th, 1967.


I have been a big fan of the former Grand Trunk Western Railroad for many years myself.

I found this classic 1960's era color photograph of a GTW EMD yard switcher locomotive at my link page Fallen Flags.Org, located at the right of your computer screen at www,rr-fallenflags.org

Railfan photographer Dennis Schmidt, photographed GTW EMD SW 1200 yard switcher locomotive # 1515, at Durand Michigan on August 6th, 1967. This locomotive is wearing the 1950's era "As delivered" olive green and gold colors from the parent company Canadian National. The GTW began to replace this color scheme with a black with orange ends (Later red) color scheme in 1961, with their "New Image" GT "Wet Noodle" logo, simular to the one used by the CN in the early 1960's.

Some green and gold GT locomotives rolled around in this color scheme in to the early 1970's.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

A very dirty and graffiti tagged modern American 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 modern American freight train in all of it's gritty, weathered and graffiti tagged glory owned by fellow club member Chuck, passes by on an urban viaduct on the club's layout.

1950's era Santa Fe switching local.

I photographed this image from American railroading's golden age recently, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club.

My recreated 1950's era switching local from the former Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, is viewed operating on the club layout caboose first.

The locomotive is a recently released Bachman Alco S 4 yard switcher with DCC and Sound, painted in Santa Fe's 1950's era black and silver zebra striped color scheme. The caboose is an Athearn model of a Santa Fe cupola caboose, in pre 1966 boxcar red / oxide brown colors with ATSF stenciling on the sides.

Elmhurst Chicago Stone Company G.E 45 ton center cab diesel locomotive. Elmhurst Illinois. August 1988.

I took this photograph in Elmhurst Illinois, way back in August of 1988.

Located just west of downtown Elmhurst, is the Elmhurst Chicago Stone Company quarry near Illinois Rt # 83.

Seen here on company property, is a very heavilly used and possibly being canibalized for parts General Electric 45 ton center cab diesel switcher. The G.E 45 ton center cab switchers, were good reliable machines for industrial in plant switching and shortline railroad operations.

The G.E 45 ton model, featured 4 axels, but only two traction motors on the trucks. To cut costs, the wheels on the truck sides were connected with side rods much like a steam locomotive. Most four axel diesel electric locomotives, utilize 4 traction motors.

Many G.E center cab switchers from post world war 2 times, are still active today at steel mills, scrap yards, heavy industry, shortline railroads and grain elevators.

A quality purpose built locomotive from G.E

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Night time at the Wilmette B.P Amoco gasoline station. Wilmette Illinois. November 2012.

I took this photograph two weeks ago, in north suburban Wilmette Illinois.

Early darkness is now upon the greater Chicagoland area, and the bright lights of the local Wilmette B.P Amoco gasoline service station attract passing motorists in the early evening.

The Wilmette B.P Amoco station, is located at the southeast corner of Skokie Road / U.S Rt # 41 and Lake Avenue in Wilmette Illinois.

I was fueling my company's Ford paratransit mini bus here at the end of my shift, before returning to the garage for the night.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Eastbound Conrail freight waiting for clearance to depart from Clearing Yard. Chicago Illinois. December 1988.

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

An eastbound Conrail transfer train, is viewed waiting for clearance to depart from the Belt Railway of Chicago's Clearing Yard, just west of Hayford Junction on a sunny and mild afternoon, in early December of 1988.

Construction of the CTA orange line rapid transit to Midway Airport. Chicago Illinois. January 1990.

I took this photograph, way back in January of 1990.

We are facing east from the South Kostner Avenue railroad crossing near West 53rd Street, in Chicago's Archer Heights neighborhood near Midway Airport.

After a number of years involving planning and feasability studies, the Chicago Transit Authority's orange line rapid transit to Midway Airport is finally under construction. This rapid transit line, was originally proposed to be named as "The CTA Southwest Elevated Line". in 1993, the Chicago Transit Authority color coded all transit routes, and this line would thus become the orange line.

New York Central steam passenger train crossing the lift bridge.



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

A short New York Central Railroad heavyweight passenger train being pulled by a Broadway Limited Imports model of a New York Central 4-8-2 Mohawk class steam locomotive owned ny fellow club member Martin, passes through the Missisippi River lift bridge. Milwaukee Road 1960's era Flexi Van  trailer / container cars borrowed from fellow club member Gary, make this unlikely train from two different eras very interesting to photograph nonetheless.

Thanks Martin.
Eddie k.

Southbound double headed Metra commuter train departing Chicago Union Station. Chicago Illinois. January 2007.

I took this photograph, back in December of 2007.

A southbound Metra double headed commuter train, departs from Chicago Union Station on an overcast day in December.

This photograph was taken facing east from the top of the West Roosevelt Road bridge in Chicago Illinois.

Looking up at the autum leaves and sky. Elmwood Park Illinois. Late October 2012.

I took this lovely autum season photograph during a late afternoon walk in October of 2012.

Looking up through the branches, the lovely late day autum sky and remaining leaves, make for a mystical daydream sort of effect.

I took this photograph on location, in Elmwood Park Illinois on a late October day.

Rare northbound Amtrak Hiawatha with dome car. Glenview IL. Nov 2012.



I photographed this digital live sound video a few days ago, in north suburban Glenview Illinois.

The northbound Amtrak Hiawatha regional passenger train enroute to Milwaukee Wisconsin, is viewed at the Chestnut Avenue railroad crossing. The train has a "Rare" Amtrak full lenght dome car in today's consist.

Union Pacific freight train. Alsip Illinois. November 1989.

I took this photograph way back in November of 1989.

A Union Pacific Railroad transfer train, is viewed heading south / southeast through Alsip Illinois near West 119th Street. This freight train is traveling over the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

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

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

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

A modified International school bus from the locally popular "Backbeat Tours Company", makes a left turn and heads westbound on Beale Street in downtown Memphis Tennesee.

Digital Live Sound Video: Northbound CTA Route # 56 Milwukee Avenue bus. Chicago Illinois USA. Tuesday night, August 17th, 2010.

Recently retired buses up close from the Milwaukee County Transit District. Milwaukee Wisconsin USA. Sunday, July 8th, 2000.

I took this photograph back on Sunday, July 8th 2000.

The Milwaukee County Transit District, was in the process of retiring their remaining 1960's and 70's era rehabbed General Motors TDH Series fishbowl windshield transit buses, and were operating a "Last Run" chartered fantrip on this day.

A bus fan from our chartered bus fantrip group, is viewed observing and writing down the numbers, of several recently retired transit buses in storage at one of the Milwaukee County Transit District's bus garage facilities in Milwaukee Wisconsin.

Berwyn School District 100 International school bus. Berwyn Illinois USA. November 2007.

I spotted this short International wheelchair lift equipped Amtran Company school bus utilized by the Berwyn Illinois Public School District # 100, back in November of 2007.

The bus driver may have possibly been on his or her lunch break at the time of this photograph.

This bus is viewed in the parking lot, of the Berwyn Public Library building on an overcast November morning.

W B Motorcoach on Dempster Street. Des Plaines IL. May 2012.


A classic 1960's era General Motors motorcoach from the Aero Coach Lines Company of New Jersey. Circa July 1967.

 
When it came to style, there was nothing like the streamlined motorcoaches from the 1950's and 60's era, that were produced by the General Motors Corporation for stylish and comfortable bus travel.
 
Photographer Ben Benero, photographed this classic 3 axel General Motors motorcoach at an unknown location in the state of New Jersey, way back in July of 1967.

A modern low floor transit bus from the city of Duluth Minnesota USA.

 
I spotted this photograph at my link page Northern Californai Bus Fans, located to the right of your computer screen at www.norcalbusfans.com ( A really nice photo website indeed woth looking at.)
 
Seen here, is an example of a modern low floor transit bus used in daily commuting operations, by the Duluth Transit Authority. No location is mentioned for this photograph, neither is the name of the photographer who captured this image.

Northbound CTA Route # 52 Kedzie / California Avenue bus. Chicago Illinois. November 1989.

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

A northbound Chicago Transit Authority Route # 52 / Kedzie - California Avenue bus, is viewed at the southeast corner of South Archer and Kedzie Avenues in Chicago's Brighton Park neighborhood.

CTA- Trolley Bus, Last Final Months (1972).



I  found this unique and very historic silent home movie from the Chicago Transit Authority
on You Tube recently.

This collection of vintage silent home movies, were photographed primarilly on the northside
of the city of Chicago Illinois during the year of 1972.

I was born in 1962, and I have happy if now somewhat vague memories of riding and observing
the last remianing CTA electric trolleybuses in service, when I was growing up in Chicago. This
video, shows what I used to experience on a daily basis as a kid, watching and riding the CTA
electric trolleybuses.

This movie, was photographed during the final months of CTA elecric trolleybus operations.
High maintenance costs, and limited flexibility of operation, is what did the electric trolleybuses
in for the CTA. The trolleybus routes were finally phased out for good in March of 1973.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Westbound Pace bus on Grand Avenue. Elmwood Park Illinois. Late October 2012.

I took this photograph late one Sunday afternoon, in Elmwood Park Illinois.

A Pace Route # 307 bus, is viewed disembarking a passenger on Grand Avenue, near the north terminal of the bus route.

Monday, November 19, 2012

Construction of the CTA orange line to Midway Airport. Chicago Illinois. January 1990.

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

Just recently, I discovered several 35 mm photographs that I had taken during the 1980's and early 1990's, that were stored in boxes for many years.

This is one of those "Lost" and now valuable historic reference photographs I had taken back in January of 1990.

Although it was wintertime, the weather in Chicago during January of 1990...was actually quite mild for a short while. I took this photograph while enjoying one of those "Rare" wintertime bicycle rides one weekend during this thaw period.

Seen here, are several pieces of construction equipement at the site of the future yard, maintenance facility and terminal, of the Chicago Transit Authority's orange line rapid transit to Midway Airport. This photograph was taken facing west / northwest near West 59th Street and South Cicero Avenue, just east of Chicago's Midway Airport.

As always....this was one of those random snap shots I would sometimes take just for the heck of it all. I am so glad that I did!

Thanks.
Eddie K.

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

I took this photograph back in July of 2010.

Seen here heading eastbound on Church Road in north suburban Skokie Illinois, is a yellow CCC garbage truck from the Skokie Public Works / Refuse Collection Division.

Mystery burried time capsule in Chicago's Westlawn neighborhood. Chicago Illinois. January 1990.

Just recently, a collection of 35 mm photographs I had taken during the 1980's and early 1990's, surfaced on a recent visit to my Mother's house.

Many of these photos had been in storage for several years inside boxes. Some of these like the one shown here, I consider "Lost" photographs from my own archives.

I took this photograph during a January 1990 bicycle ride through Chicago's Westlawn neighborhood near Midway Airport.

I remembered photographing this burried historic civic time capsule, but I forgot to document what street this was located at.

I am not sure, but I believe that it may have been somewhere around West 64th Street in a local city park, somewhere west of South Pulaski Road in Chicago's Westlawn neighborhood.

If anybody has any information on this local historic civic time capsule location, I would really appreciate it greatly.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

The Electric Company - Red, Rip and Run



A very unique railfan sort of video from my own childhood growing up in Chicago during the early 1970's, was this one from the PBS television show "The Electric Company", which would teach mostly young viewers important scholastic reading skills.

This program aired on WTTW Channel 11 Chicago.

I recalled seeing this video way back in 1973. Acting out the part of a railroad yard switchman employee, is a then young and upcoming Oscar award winning future motion picture actor we all know today as "Morgan Freeman".

Lets hop aboard for a ride on the Red, Rip and Run Railroad.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Union Pacific Railroad John Deere front end loader. Chicago Illinois. June 2012.

I took this photograph back in June of 2012.

A front end loader tractor from the Union Pacific Railroad maintenance of way department, is viewed parked between assignments near the Ozark Avenue railroad crossing in Chicago's Edison Park neighborhood.

Southbound Soo Line transfer train traveling over the Belt Railway of Chicago tracks. Cicero Illinois. November 1988.

I took this photograph way back in November of 1988.

Looking down from the south side of the West 31st Street overpass bridge at the Chicago city border of Cicero Illinois, we see a southbound Soo Line transfer train traveling over the Belt Railway of Chicago tracks. This train is following a BRC owned track maintenance vehicle approaching nearby Hawthorne Junction in the background.

Let's Ride the Sheboygan Car!



Heres a nice railfan video fro fans of electric railway subjects from the state of  Wisconsin.

Garden Homes Volunteer Fire Station on West 119th Street. Garden Homes Illinois. ( South suburban Alsip IL area) April 1990.

I took this photograph way back in April of 1990.

During the mid 1980's and through out the 1990's, I frequently would visit the south suburban village of Alsip Illinois, and their tiny neighboring community of Garden Homes.

Although I originally took this photograph in color on an overcast day during the early springtime, I just couldn't resist the opportunity to scan this photograph in black and white as well just to see what it would have looked like.

Classic fire engines from Chevrolet (GMC) on the left and Ford to the right, are viewed parked on the driveway apron of the Garden Homes Volunteer Fire Station on West 119th Street, just a few blocks east of South Pulaski Road

H.O Scale Union Pacific bay window caboose trails an intermodal train.