Saturday, August 31, 2013

Happy Labor Day weekend from Eddie's Railfan Page!

John Phillip Sousa's "The Thunderer". Performed by the United States Army Ceremonial Band.

The Hesston Steam Museum. Hesston Indiana USA. Sunday, September 12th, 2010.

I took this photograph during a September 2010 visit to the Hesston Steam Museum near Michigan City Indiana, and neighboring New Buffalo Michigan. www.hesston.org

Steam locomotives somewhat largw and small, operate here for all to enjoy on this lovely and very scenic tourist railway in the country.

The Hesston Steam Museum is a fun and very family friendly attraction worth visiting.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Ray Stevens. Bridget the midget, the queen of the blues. (1974.)



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

I thought that it would be nice to toss in a good laugh right about now on today's posting.

One of my all time favorite musical comedian entertainers, has always been Ray Stevens.
I believe that he got started with this all during the 1960's, and has had me laughing ever
since I was a kid! Believe it or not...He is still at it today! Wow!

This particular song is from a vinyl album of his I just may still have yet. (Got to look for it.)
This song was from his "Boogity Boogity" album from 1974, which featured the overplayed
hit single "The Streak". The song "Bridget the midget the queen of the blues", is actually a
spoof on Tina Turner, as she used to say "Yo-ooo-ooo-ooh" like Bridget when she was doing
live concert performances with Ike Turner back in the day.

It's a funny song, as the whole thing sounds like the "Chipettes" from the Alvin and the Chipmunks
cartoons. The Chipettes however, did not make their debut until the mid 1980's at least.

Here is Bridget the midget, the queen of the blues from Ray Stevens.

L.O.L

Thanks.
Eddie K. 

The Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois. July 1988.

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

From 1990 to 1993, I used to live in southwest suburban Oak Lawn Illinois.

One of my favorite places I used to visit for some delicious soft serve ice cream or an occasional pizza puff, was Premo's Drive In. Premo's is located at the northeast corner of West 95th Street and South 55th Ct in Oak Lawn Illinois.

Originally a "Seasonal only" drive in, during the 1990's they decided to operate year round. I am so glad that they did.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Soo Line # 2719. Duluth to Two Harbors.

The San Diego Zoo. San Diego California. June 2013.

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

Without a doubt, the ultimate highlight of my summer, was that awesome June 2013 vacation me and my wife Cheryl went on to San Diego California.

I took this photograph at the world famous San Diego Zoo. several Giraffes, are viewed taking a break from the California sun, and spending some time together in the shade.

The Brady Bunch. It's a sunshine day.

1970's era Santa Fe local freight passes by.

I took this photograph this past spring, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers, H.O Scale Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois.

In a scene right out of the late 1960's and early 1970's era, My Athearn EMD GP 35 pulls a local Santa Fe way freight caboose first on the club layout.

City of Memphis Tennesee fire chief's car. Memphis Tennesee USA. September 2007.

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

Seen here parked somewhere in downtown Memphis, is a Memphis Fire Department Chevrolet Caprice fire chief's car.

Friday, August 30, 2013

Veolia Waste Services Mack garbage truck. Niles Illinois. Thursday, June 26th, 2012.

I took this photograph last year, in north suburban Niles Illinois.

It is amazing how much can change in a year since I took this photograph.

I noticed several familiar looking green garbage and recycling trucks roling around recently in Chicago's north suburbs, with "Advance Disposal Company" markings on the vehicles. It turns out that Veolia Waste Services and the Onyx Disposal Company which also used simular green trucks, were both bought out recently by the Advance Disposal Company.

Advance Disposal Company, the new waste disposal company in town these days.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Niko's Banquets on South Harlem Avenue. Bridgeview Illinois. August 2013.

I took this photograph recently, in southwest suburban Bridgeview Illinois.

Facing south on South Harlem Avenue / Illinois Rt # 43 near West 75th Street, is the locally popular Niko's Banquets.

Back in the 1990's when I used to live in nearby Oak Lawn and later Bridgeview, I would occasionally go to Niko's to attend anything from Holiday bruches, Singles dances, and live music shows ranging from Elvis Presley impersonators, to the Chicago area Beatles tribute act known as American English.

It's still a nice place today.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Digital Live Sound Video: H.O Scale Bachman A,T & S,F Alco S 4 switcher pulls a 1960's era Santa Fe local.

A Southern Pacific G S 4 "Daylight" 4-8-4 semi streamlined steam passenger locomotive pulling a freight extra.

The very unique Michael Jackson, "Soul Train" TV show locomotive car. The Volo Auto Museum. Volo Illinois. June 2013.

I took this photograph during my June 2013 visit to the Volo Auto Museum, located in the town of Volo Illinois.

Aside from their collection of vintage automobiles, a World War 2 military museum , and several unique television and movie cars from Hollywood California...the museum also features a unique collection of "One of a kind" custom built dream concept cars on display.

This car, honors the late great entertainer Michael Jackson and the famous television music show "Soul Train".

The River Grove Metra commuter rail station on Thatcher Avenue. River Grove Illinois. October 2006.

I took this photograph back in October of 2006.

Facing west from Thatcher Avenue, we see the Metra commuter rail station at River Grove Illinois, during a very busy rush hour morning commuting time for rail passengers.

The Hindsdale Illinois Metra commuter rail station. November 1989.

Steam freight train crossing the swing bridge.

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

A steam powered freight train pulled by a U.S.R.A light 2-8-2 steam locomotive, is viewed crossing the swing bridge on a yet unscenicked section of the layout, representing an urban river scene.

Westbound BNSF Railway intermodal container train passing through Hayford Junction. Chicago Illinois. March 2007.

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

A westbound BNSF Railway intermodal transfer train, is viewed passing through Hayford Junction traveling over the Belt Railway of Chicago, and heading to the nearby BRC Clearing Yard near sunset.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Eastbound Norfolk Southern /BNSF transfer train entering the Belt Railway of Chicago Clearing Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. Saturday, October 15th, 2011.

Nightfall at the Franhlin Park Metra commuter rail station. Franklin Park Illinois. Wednsday, August 29th, 2012.

The engine on a restored 1968 Chevrolet Camaro pro street muscle car on display / for sale. The Volo Auto Museum. Volo Illinois. June 2013.

One of my favorite highlights of this summer, was a June trip me and my wife Cheryl had went on, to the Volo Auto Museum.

This is a really cool place to visit if you like vintage and one of a kind movie and television show cars like me and a few others out there.

One exhibit that I absolutely could not get enough of, was the collection of classic American muscle, hot rod and pre street custom cars, from the late 1960's and early 1970's era.

I grew up in Chicago during that time, and I just loved seeing just how solid the cars were built back then. Talk about horsepower!
just look at that engine!

Yeah, they did drink a lot of gas, but it was actually cheaper back then. This was also life before the energy crisis as well.

Thanks.
Eddie k.

Westbound C N freight train at dusk. Elmwood Park IL. Aug 2012.

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

I took this photograph after work one evening last September.

The beautiful colors of a twilight sky upon the approach of nightfall, has made a very nice backdrop for these lighted railroad block signals.

This photograph was taken at the Glen of North Glenview Metra commuter rail station.

Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad bay window caboose. Elmhurst Illinois. August 1988.

I took this phjotograph way back in August of 1988.

I spotted this bay window Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad caboose, just immediately west of downtown Elmhurst Illinois.

Believe it or not, succesor railroad Union Pacific still uses a handful of these non repainted but weathered former C & N,W bay window cabooses today, on switching locals in the Glenview and Desplaines Illinois areas today.

The Beach Boys. All Summer Long.



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

Well folks...the last week of August 2013 has arrived, and I thought that it would be nice
to end the summer season, with a nice little farewell song. This weekend is the Labor Day
holiday, and soon it will be "Football Season"!

Although the autum leaves have already began to change color and fall in a few places
around the greater Chicagoland area, it is still hot enough to wear shorts, Tank tops,
and enjoy a nice cold refreshing drink outdoors.

Goodbye summer 2013!

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Belt Railway of Chicago radio controlled EMD roadswitcher # 583 at the East 100th Street coal yard. Chicago Illinois USA. Saturday, October 15th, 2011.

New York Central 4-8-4 Niagra # 6010.

BNSF Railway ex Burlington Northern EMD roadswitcher at Clyde Yard. Cicero Illinois. September 2006.

I took this photograph back in early September of 2006.

A former Burlington Northern Railroad EMD roadswitcher locomotive # 1501, was viewed idling between switching chores in a light rain, at the BNSF Railway's Clyde Yard in Cicero Illinois.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Chips Ahoy cookie advertisement on an exterior tank at the Nabisco factory. Chicago Illinois. June 1984.

I took this photograph, way back in June of 1984.

This outdoor horizontal tank, was photographed along the east side of the Nabisco factory at South Kedzie Avenue and West 73rd Street in Chicago's Marquette Park neighborhood.

Aside from the decal advertisement promoting their famous Chips Ahoy Cookies, you could actually smell them baking in the air from this factory any time 24 -7.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Canadian Pacific freight train passing through the River Grove Metra commuter rail station. River Grove Illinois. July 2007.

Southbound CTA purple line train crossing Isabella Street. Wilmette Illinois. July 2010.

A Bachman Alco S 4 leads a 1960's era Santa Fe local.



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

With a cut of period box cars in tow, my then recently purchased Bachman Alco S 4 yard
switcher locomotive in the 1950's era Santa Fe paint scheme, pulls a 1960's era switching
local on the club layout.

A Chicago Fire Department Ford ambulance. Chicago Illinois. August 2013.

I took this photograph in traffic a few days ago.

When a good photo opportunity comes along in traffic right next to you...thank goodness for red traffic signals at any given intersection.

Seen here is a recent vintage Ford ambulance from the Chicago Fire Department. This photo aloowed me to capture some details like the Chicago Fire Department logo, and a few other things not normally noticed on thes

Soupy Sales meets the rat pack.




I found this classic early 1960's era live television comedy sketch from the Soupy Sales Show
on You Tube recently.

A popular daytime television show in America during the 1960's, was the Soupy Sales Show.

This wacked out, add lib infested live comedy show, featured sometimes many surprises.

One of the shows biggest fans, was the famous American pop standard singer Frank Sinatra.
Comedian Soupy Sales, was famous for incorporating that old silent movie / vaudeville gag
known as "The Pie Fight", which was a big standard gag with The Three Stooges as well.

Frank Sinatra wanted to be "Pied", but Soupy Sales was afraid to do so, as Frank Sinatra
was a big famous entertainer who had a notorious reputation to make or break ones own
showbiz career.  Frank Sinatra ended up meeting with Soupy Sales face to face, and gave
him the permission to "Pie him in the face on television", as per his request.

Here is a sketch involving Soupy Sales playing a waiter in an upscale restaurant, and watch
as Frank Sinatra /  "Old Blue Eyes"...gets a very comedic "Pie in the face" on the
Soupy Sales Show.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

The Grand Trunk western Railroad Elsdon Yard locomotive terminal. ( Gone.) Chicago Illinois USA. October 1983.

I took this photograph way back in October of 1983.

The Grand Trunk Western Railroad was operating their Elsdon Yard and locomotive terminal at West 49th Street and South Kedzie Avenue, for the final week prior to abandonement, and relocation to the Belt Railway of Chicago's Clearing Yard in Bedford Park Illinois.

This trio of GTW and ex D,T & I EMD roadswitchers, are proboubly idling on the Elsdon ready tracks for the final time.

Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad EMD SD 40 # 910 photographed in April of 1972 by photographer Jim Jefferey.


One of the most striking American railroad locomotive color schemes from the late
1960's and early 1970's era, was the unique and tasteful red and white color scheme
from the former Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad. Some St. Louis Missouri area railfansoften refered to these as "Red Birds".

Monday, August 26, 2013

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

A Nova transit bus from the M.A.T.A -Memphis Area transit Authority.Memphis Tennesee USA. September 2007.

A Nova transit bus from the M.A.T.A -Memphis Area transit Authority. Memphis Tennesee USA. September 2007. by Eddie from Chicago
A Nova transit bus from the M.A.T.A -Memphis Area transit Authority. Memphis Tennesee USA. September 2007., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

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

Seen here at one of the city bus terminals near the M.A.T.A  /  Memphis Area Transit Authority garage, is
one of the many modern Nova transit buses on the Memphis city bus fleet.

Yellowstone National Park Bus. Wyoming June 1984.

The last run of the Milwaukee Wisconsin GMC fishbowl windshield bus fantrip. Milwaukee Wisconsin USA. Sunday, July 8th, 2000.

Silent Digital Video: Two westbound CTA buses on West Devon Avenue. Chicago Illinois. June 2007.

Interior view of 2001 Ford Paratransit bus # 5126. Glenview Illinois. December 2008.

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

Seen here in this interior view aboard a now retired 2001 Ford paratransit mini bus # 5126, is the upper dash compartment, interior rear view mirror and safety messages located just above the driver's seat.

An open double deck bus departs from the boarding station. The San Diego Zoo. San Diego California. June 2013.

Digital Live Sound Video: Pace bus crossing the Metra tracks on Central Avenue. Wilmette Illinois. Early April 2010.

A Pace 40 foot Orion transit bus. La Grange Illinois. March 1989.

I took this photograph on an overcast late winter day, way back in March of 1989.

A suburban Pace bus, is viewed at the former western terminal in La Grange Illinois, on Hillgrove Avenue just about one block east of La Grange Road in downtown La Grange.

A westbound Pace bus on Grand Avenue. Elmwood Park Illinois. October2012.

I took this photograph last October, in Elmwood Park Illinois.

A Pace Route # 307 Harlem Avenue bus, is viewed making a passenger drop off on Grand Avenue. The bus is nearing the end of it's run, and will soon arive at the north terminal on the Conti Parkway Circle in front of the Elmwood Park Public Library.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Westbound BNSF Railway light engine movement. Riverside Illinois. July 2007.

I took this photograph on a hot summer day back in July of 2007.

Three different flavors of locomotive color schemes, are viewed heading westbound and running light over the BNSF Railway's 3 track Chicago to Aurora Illinois mainline. These locomotives had just passed through the Riverside Illinois Metra commuter rail station.

The 2013 Trolley Paegeant at the Illinois Railway Museum.

Barraco's Pizza at the southwest corner of West 95th Street and South Lawndale Avenue. Evergreen Park Illinois. Saturday, August 10th, 2013.

I took this photograph, during a recent visit to south suburban Evergreen Park Illinois.

Although I now live on the northwest side of the greater Chicagoland area....I was born and raised on the southwest side of Chicago, and in later years lived in southwest suburban Oak Lawn and Bridgeview Illinois.

One of my favorite places I remember dining out for good pizza when I lived in Bridgeview Illinois, was a place in Evergreen Park on West 95th Street known as Barraco's Pizza.

I not only used to eat here, but also had fun at their Karaoke show back around 2003.

Thinking about this place at the southwest corner of West 95th Street and South Lawndale Avenue has made me hungry, and I just may be making a return dining visit here in the near future.

I miss Barraco's.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Westbound Canadian National transfer train waiting on a hold order. Chicago Illinois. Sunday, April 21st, 2013.

I took this photograph back in late April of this year.

Seen here on a brightly sunlit but still a little chilly outside day, is a westbound Canadian National Railroad transfer train waiting on a hold order, at the Belt Railway of Chicago's West 68th Street junction near Chicago's Midway Airport.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Eddie K at the Birch Aqarium. La Jolla California. June 2013.

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

Here I am during my recent June 2013 vacation to San Diego California.

One of the places that me and my wife Cheryl enjoyed visiting, was the Birch Aqarium along the neighboring Pacific coast town of La Jolla California.

Here I am posing for a picture at the Birch Aqarium, with some of the fishes passing by in the background.

It was a fun vacation.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Union Pacific engines idling at the former Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad's Proviso Yard facility. Maywood Illinois. August 2007.

I took this photograph on a hot summer day back in August of 2007.

Looking east from the U.S Rt's # 12 and # 45 Manheim Road overpass bridge in Maywood Illinois, we see a trio of Union Pacific Railroad EMD roadswitchers idling at the former Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad, Proviso Yard facility.

The "Back to the future" Delorean car from the movie. The Volo Auto Museum. Volo Illinois. June 2013.

One of the all time most famous American cars to come from a major Hollywood motion picture studio during the 1980's, was this totally tricked out Delorean sports car from the science fiction movie" Back to the future"

This car is proudly on display for all to see, at the Volo Auto Museum, located in Volo Illinois..

Brittish Railways preserved Evening Star 2-10-0 steam locomotive, pulling an excursion fantrip on the Settle & Carlisle Railway. U.K



This video is going out to all the fans of Brittish railway subjects here at Eddie's Railfan Page.

A convoy of track maintenance vehicles pass westbound through Hayford Junction. Chicago Illinois. April 1987.

I took this photograph way back in April of 1987.

A short westbound convoy of Belt Railway of Chicago owned track maintenance vehicles, are viewed passing through Hayford Junction, and scaring up a flock of local Pidgeons.

In the background can be seen the South Kedzie Avenue overpass bridge, and the delightfully aromatic Nabisco factory.

B.J Thomas performing "Raindrops keep falling on my head" on the Ed Sullivan Show. 1970.



I found this old music video from 1970 on You Tube.

Like many Chicagoans during the 1960's and earlier, I grew up watching the
Ed Sullivan Show, which aired Sunday nights on CBS with my family.

Beginning in 1948, The Ed Sullivan Show which was originally entitled...
"The toast of the town", was one of the very first television shows, as this
was a new technology in the immediate years after World War 2 had ended.

American Top 40 / Country / pop singer -songwriter B.J Thomas, is viewed here
performing his big ( Sometimes "Overplayed" ) hit song from the recently released
movie "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" entitled "Raindrops keep falling on my head".

After a lengthy 22 year run on national television, 1970 was the final year of the popular
Ed Sullivan Show.

Eastbound Burlington Northern freight train. Westmont Illinois. November 1989.

I took this photograph one lovely and somewhat mild autum afternoon, way back in early November of 1989.

An eastbound Burlington Northern Railroad freight train, is viewed passing through the Westmont Illinois Metra commuter rail station on a quiet Sunday afternoon. Notice that there are locomotive crews riding in the first and second locomotive cabs.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

A moving Indiana Harbor Belt train in H.O Scale.

The narrow guage train ride at Chicago's Brookfield Zoo. Brookfield Illinois. September 1982.

I took this now historic photograph during a September 1982 visit to Chicago's Brookfield Zoo.

From 1967 until Labor Day weekend of 1985, the zoo operated this unique little 2 foot guage railroad, that was known as the Brookfield , Salt Creek & Western Raiilroad.

This little steam train, circled the outer perimeter of the zoo in a counter clockwise rotation. Locomotive # 242 which was nicknamed "The Blue Goose", is viewed departing from the north station.

The Brookfield, salt Creek & Western Railroad's 3 locomotives and open coaches, are preserved today at the Hesston Steam Museum near Michigan City Indiana. www.hesston.org

Locomotive # 242 has been repainted, and operates at the Hesston Steam Museum during special events.

The 1960's era Petticoat Junction CBS televisision show opening.





A popular news item in American railfan circles, was the recent construction of the operating 1860's era replica steam locomotive "York", at a tourist operation in Hanover Pennsylvania known as "Steam in to history.org".

The prototype Northern Central Railroad steam locomotive # 17, which was named the York, was built by the Rogers locomotive Works of Patterson New Jersey, and was used by the N.C.R.R during the American Civil War.

The replica York, was built by the Kloke Locomotive Works in Elgin Illinois, and made it's operating debut in 2013.  This locomotive replica, was erected from 1800's era mechanical blueprints, with a few if any modifications for safety and efficientcy. The prototype York was a wood burner, while the replica is a "User friendly" oil burner. The prototype York also featured the ever notoriously dangerous Link and Pin couplers of the day, while the replica features modern and very safe knuckle couplers and air brakes.

The San Diego Marintime Museum and city skyline. San Diego California. June 2013.

I took this photograph aboard a harbor sightseeing cruise, during my recent June 2013 vacation to San Diego California.

Seen here with the city skyline in the background amidst much new urban construction, is the San Diego Marintime Museum.

This local museum features a collection of old sailing ships used in movies, as well as the side wheeled steam powered ferry boat the S.S. Berkely on display.

My wife Cheryl and I did not have enough time during our visit to see this museum firsthand, but it will definitely be on our "Things to do" list should we ever return to San Diego in the future sometime eventually.

Thanks.
Eddie k.

Digital Live Sound Video: Westbound CTA orange line train on final approach to Midway Airport CTA / Pace terminal. Chicago Illinois. August 2009.

Eastbound Metra rush hour local commuter train departing from the Hollywood (Zoo Stop) depot. Brookfield Illinois. June 2007.

I took this photograph one hot summer day after work, back in June of 2007.

An eastbound Metra evening rush hour local commuter train enroute to Chicago Union Station, is viewed departing from the Hollywood depot in west suburban Brookfield Illinois.

Nickle Plate Road 2-8-2 steam locomotive # 624 rusting away in a local city park. Hammond Indiana. Sunday, April 21st, 2013.

Historic railroad preservation is wherever you can find it.

A preserved steam locomotive that deserves a much more dignified retirement on display in a railroad museum, is former NKP Baldwin 2-8-2 steam locomotive # 624 in the city of Hammond I ndiana.

NKP # 624 and a short display freight train, are badly rusting away in a local city park, across from the Hammond Civic Center.

Hopefully, a museum or historical society group can get to this historic link to America's railroading past, before some scrap metal firm comes on site and cuts it up with torches.

Thanks.
Eddie k.