Friday, March 28, 2014

My morning commute to work, is off to a very rainy start today. March 2014. 5:00 AM.

 
Hi everyone!
This is Eddie K, your host and photographer here at Eddie's Railfan Page.
 
As winter makes way for the upcoming springtime season, there is no avoiding the fact, that the early springtime season here in the greater Chicagoland area is always cold and wet.
 
I spotted this unique photo opportunity looking out from my cars windshield a few days ago.
 
It is 5:00 AM, and I am leaving for work this early morning under typical night time skies.
A heavily falling rain shower combined with chilly temperatures in the upper 30's, will see to it that my commute to work is a very interesting one on the wet and very slippery streets today.
 
Thanks.
Eddie K.

The Vogues - Five O'clock World



Hi everyone!

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

Well folks....It's Friday again! Hurray! Yes! Yes! Yes!

Here is a fun mid 1960's era Brittish rock and roll oldies hit song I had grown up with
many years ago, that I am sure many of you fellow hard working career people can relate
to today. Especially on a Friday at quitting time.

Here are "The Vogues", with their big hit working class hit single "Five O'clock World.

Thanks.
Eddie k.

A Chicago & NorthWestern and Santa Fe two train meet. Photographed at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club. Oak Park Illinois. March 2014.

 
I took this photograph last week Wednsday night, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club.
 
For camera carrying railfans like myself and many of my fellow contemporaries, there is nothing like being on location with your camera, just when one of those two train meets on a busy maniline comes by at your location.
 
Fellow club member Chuck Colin, was operating his modern era Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad "Sand Train" made up of several short  Iron Ore cars. My 1960's and early 1970's era Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad "Auto Parts" train made up of six Pulman Standard 60 foot box cars, is viewed meeting Chuck's train on the elevated mainline right of way over the urban viaduct scene.
 
Nice photo opportunity.
 
Thanks Chuck!
 
Your buddy Eddie K.

After a long wintertime hiatus, Eddie resumes roller blading sessions. March 2014.

 
Hi everyone!
This is Eddie K, your host and photographer here at Eddie's Railfan Page.
 
One of my other fun and healthy hobbies or activities I enjoy pursuing, are my
outdoor sessions on inline roller blade skates whenever I have the opportunity or especially good weather to do so. I mostly pursue this activity during my morning lunch break period.
 
After driving a sometimes lengthy paratransit bus route assignment of pick ups and drop offs,
I need to get out and stretch my stiff legs. Believe me...the exercise does make a difference.
 
Here I am skating in West Park, located in northwest suburban Des Plaines Illinois. With sunny
skies and an outside temperature of 52 degrees Farenheight, it was an absolutely wonderful time
to resume my skating session on Tuesday, March 18th, 2014, as there wasn't a single trace of -
snow or ice on the park's asphalt exercise path.
 
Behind me in the photograph, is the park's makeshift temporary seasonal outdoor ice skating
rink, which will soon be dismantled upon the arrival of springtime.
 
Thanks.
Eddie K.

Steam Trains Mexico 1964 Part 3



I thought that it would be fun to add a little "Latin Flavor" to today's posting of
Eddie's Railfan Page, by including this rare and historic railfan home movie,
that was photographed in Mexico during 1964.

Some of today's younger generation of railfans, are more than likely not aware of it, but
Mexico was a late user of railroad steam locomotives in daily operation, until 1968.

The United States and Canada converted their railroad locomotive fleets after World War 2, from
steam locomotives to modern diesel electric models during the late 1940's to the mid and sometimes
late 1950's. With a lack of the nostalgic smoking, hissing and chime whistling steam locomotives
to be seen on home rails, a number of devoted railfans, made vacation trips south of the border
in to Mexico during the 1960's, to capture this unique last daily working remnant of the steam era.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

A Santa Fe freight train passing over an urban viaduct. Photographed at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club. Oak Park Illinois. March 2014.

 
I took this photograph last week Wednsday night, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club. This miniature model railroad club with their huge layout, is located at 255 Augusta Street in west suburban Oak Park Illinois, and meets for their weekly operating session on Wednsday nights from 7 to 9PM, in the basement of the Oak Park Public Library's Dole Learning Center building.
 
In a scene out of most any North American city in the Midwest, west or southwest regions, my Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe freight train passes above the city traffic below on an urban viaduct.
 
The locomotive is an Athearn H.O Scale model of an EMD model GP 35 roadswitcher diesel electric locomotive introduced by EMD in 1963. This model is painted and decorated in Santa Fe's blue and yellow "Book Ends" or "Billboard" color scheme, that was used from 1960 until 1972, when it was eventually replaced by the higher visibility "Yellow Bonnet" color scheme.
 
The bus below the viaduct, is an American Precision Scale Models H.O Scale model of a Flxible Flyer or "Clipper" model compact streamlined motor coach. These buses were used primarily for suburban crosstown commuter bus operations, airport terminals, hotels, and large downtown rail terminals. These buses were a common sight in most North American cities from the 1940's, until the early or mid 1970's, when they were eventually retired from service and replaced with newer buses.
Many would be sold to private individuals, and converted to recreational vehicles.
 
This urban scene, is a typical one from the 1960's era.
 
Thanks.
Eddie K.

Westbound BNSF Railway freight train. Riverside Illinois. March 2014.

 
I took this photograph recently, at the Riverside Illinois Metra commuter rail station.
 
A westbound BNSF Railway freight train has just passed through the Riverside station, and a covered hopper car is viewed bringing up the rear of this quick moving westbound freight train.
 
I fondly remember, that the former Burlington Northern Railroad was actually using cabooses on the rear of their freight trains passing through here during the 1980's, after many American railroads had started to phase them out. I miss the sight of cabooses on the rear of freight trains today, outdated and impractical as they were in  later years.
 
Thanks.
Eddie K.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

An early Springtime sunset on West Montrose Avenue. Norridge Illinois. Tuesday, March 25th, 2014.


Your host and photographer celebrating his 52nd birthday. March 2014.

 
May there be many more for this lifelong Chicago railfan and avid photographer.
 
Thanks.
Eddie K.

A former Atlantic Coast Line Railroad box car at North Platte Nebraska. August 1973. Jim Parker photograph.


Chicago & NorthWestern R R train crossing a high trestle.


Wabash Railroad 4-4-s Atlantic type passenger service steam locomotive # 611 at Delray Michigan. (Detroit area.) August 4th, 1921.



I found this classic 1920's era steam locomotive photograph from the Wabash Railroad at my Link page Fallen Flags.Org, which is located to the right of your computer screen at www.rr-fallenflags.org

One of the first purpose built high speed passenger type locomotives that appeared on American railroads during the late 1800's and early 1900's era, was the tall driving wheeled 4-4-2 Atlantic type steam locomotives. These locomotives were originally used on crack limited mainline long distance passenger trains. As passenger car construction switched from wood to steel, these locomotives were eventually underpowered, and replaced by larger and heavier steam locomotives on their original assignments.

The 4-4-2 Atlantic type steam locomotives eventually were placed in to commuter train operations, as well as short secondary, local or connecting passenger train services, which they were better suited for. Some railroads like the Illinois Central and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy...had modified some of theirs with shorter driving wheels, and ended their working days pulling branchline freight trains.

Wabash locomotive # 611 built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1904, is viewed simmering away at Delray Michigan near the city of Detroit between runs on August 4th, 1921.

Athearn Phase 1 Santa Fe EMD CF 7 with Tsunami sound.


A westbound Metra local arriving at the Riverside Illinois Metra commuter rail station on a bitterly cold winter day. December 2013.

 
Although many Chicagoans including myself are pretty much "Sick of winter" already...I still find Chicago Winter Railroading to be a fascinating photo subject.
 
I took this photograph back in December of 2013.
 
A westbound Metra local commuter train enroute to Aurora Illinois, is viewed making the station stop at west suburban Riverside Illinois, during a very cold, windy and very overcast winter afternoon. There were sharp winds blowing out of the west that day making it feel colder than it actually was that day. Passing trains on the BNSF Railway's 3 track mainline, were kicking up snowdust in their wake during my short and very skin stinging visit at the station.

A former Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad Alco RS 1 diesel locomotive acquired through merger in 1972, pulls a mid 1970's era Illinois Central Gulf Railroad grain extra past the scrap yard.

 
I took this photograph last week Wednsday night, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois. I grew up on the near southwest side of Chicago during the 1960's, 70's and 80's...and I fondly remember the former Illinois Central Gulf Railroad.
 
My Atlas model of a Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad Alco RS 1 roadswitcher, is viewed pulling several 1970's era covered hopper cars. The ICG was created from the August 10th, 1972 merger of the Illinois Central and the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio railroads. Like most mergers, it took several years to get around to repainting several locomotives, cabooses and various freight cars.
 
The former G,M & O Alco diesels acquired through the merger, lasted in ICG service until retirement which took place sometime around 1977 or perhaps 1978 even. Although many received the official orange and white ICG colors, several rolled around to the end of service in original G,M & O colors and markings.  My train represents a mid 1970's era ICG grain extra train, with a former and yet unrepainted ex G,M & O diesel locomotive, operating during it's final few years of ICG service.
 
My train is shown here, passing the scrap yard along one of the wide sweeping mainline curves.
 
Thanks.
Eddie K.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Westbound speeding Amtrak train. Western Springs Illinois. April 1989.

Yeah! It's outdoor roller blading weather today! Let's go to West Park! Des Plaines Illinois. Tuesday, March 18th, 2014.

With the transition from winter to springtime, the weather has actually been decent enough for me to pursue my lunchtime roller blade skating sessions once again at West Park in northwest suburban Des Plaines Illinois.

Although it is still a bit on the chilly side yet, a good outdoor exercise work out session, can still feel good for this man who spends most of his time driving these days.

Here I am ready to head off to west park, after a brutally long winter season plaqued with frequent heavy lake effect snowstorms, single digit temperatures, and plenty of ice everywhere.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Canadian National locomotive running light past the Horseshoe Casino. Hammond Indiana. Sunday, April 21st, 2013.

A City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation Autocar garbage truck in the light blue color scheme. Chicago Illinois. March 2014.

I took this photograph recently, when I was returning to my job at the end of my lunch break one day.

The Wendy's, KFC and Mister Beef on North Harlem Avenue near West Irving Park Road on the northwest side of Chicago, have always been frequented daily by the hard working and dedicated sanitation and public works crews from the city of Chicago.

The crew from this parked City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation garbage truck, I believe were enjoying a much deserved lunch at the KFC.

An H.O Scale model of a Roadway Trucking Company Ford C cab tractor and 20 foot "Pup" trailer.

I photographed this miniature H.O Scale model of a Roadway Trucking Company Ford C Cab tractor and 20 foot "Pup" trailer, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club.

This model brought back some memories for me, as I recall that one of the Roadway Trucking Companies terminal locations and loading dock facilities, was located on West 51st Street near South St.Louis Avenue in Chicago's Elsdon neighborhood. The Roadway truck terminal, was located immediately east of the former Grand Trunk Western Railroad's Elsdon Yard. These Ford C Cabs were an everyday sight through here during the 1970's, 80's and early 1990's.

I tried many times unsuccessfuly to apply for work on their loading docks after I had graduated nearby Curie High School in 1981. Although I was never hired and wasted many a CTA bus trip chasing their want adds in the newspapers during the 1980's, I still enjoyed observing the various models of commercial truck tractors on their fleet, and that nice color scheme that they used back then.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Digital Live Sound Video: Eastbound Canadian Pacific freight train. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. Saturday, Aprul 2nd, 2011.

A Centralia Car Shops H.O Scale model of a 1970's era Illinois Central Gulf Railroad orange side door caboose.

I took this photograph last week Wednsday night, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois.

Being born and raised on the near southwest side of Chicago many years ago, the former Illinois Central Gulf Railroad, is one I fondly remember seeing almost daily during the 1970's and 80's.

These old steam era steel side door cabooses from the former Illinois Central (Pre 1972) were a common sight bringing up the rear on many an ICG local freight operating on the former I.C Iowa Division Mainline, and on the former G,M & O after merger in 1972.

Several of these were set aside for preservation upon retirement. There is a former Illinois Central side door caboose like this model restored to it's original I.C pre 1967 red color scheme, at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union Illinois. Another former I.C steel side door caboose like this model, is also preserved at the Fox River Trolley Museum in South Elgin Illinois on display.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Illinois Towing Service Peterbilt conventional tractor. Glenview Illinois. March 2014.

I photographed this classic American Peterbilt conventional semi truck tractor recently after work one evening, in north suburban Glenview Illinois.

One of many tenants that share the big building housing my paratransit bus company, is the Illinois Towing Service Company.

Aside from their many heavy duty big rig tow trucks and a few smaller flatbed models, they also own and operate this Peterbilt conventional tractor, with a large flatbed towing trailer usually attatched.

Illinois Towing Service is currently our contract tow company for those moments when our buses will sometimes suffer a mechanical failure on the road.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Friday, March 21, 2014

Jed's Texaco gasoline service station. (Gone - Demolished.) Chicago Illinois. Early April 1986.

Westbound BNSF Railway freight train. Riverside Illinois. Sunday, March 16th, 2014.

The Oak River Railroad streamliner passenger train moving along the mainline.

An H.O Scale model of a Roadway Trucking Company Ford C Cab tractor and a 20 foot "Pup" trailer.

These Roadway Trucking Company Ford C Cab tractors and 20 foot "Pup" trailers, were once an everyday sight on West 51st Street near South St. Louis Avenue in Chicago's Elsdon neighborhood, adjacent to the GTW Elsdon Yard.

The Grand Trunk Western Railroad Elsdon Yard locomotive terminal. Chicago Illinois USA. October 1983.

The winter outdoor ice skating season is nearing the end at West Park. Des Plaines Illinois. Tuesday, March 18th, 2014.

Fellow club member Eddie K's unique, one of a kind, low budget spotlight car. L.O.L

What in the world is this?

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

Model railroad novelty items like lighted searchlight cars, have been available for many years in O gauge by Lionel, S gauge by American Flyer, and H.O scale from Tyco and Bachman. Though there was never a specific or actual prototype for this in the real world, it was actually marketed for children to keep them busy and prevent boredom when playing with their trainsets.

I kind of wanted my own spotlight car as well, and came up with an inexpensive idea for one recently, while shopping at the Walmart store in northwest suburban Wheeling Illinois.

I purchased this little battery powered L.E.D clip on book reading light for $1.99, and just by luck...it fit nicely in my existing MTH Milwaukee Road H.O Scale gondola car. This past Wednsday night, I ran this for laughs on the club layout at the Oak Park Society of Model EngineersH.O Scale Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois.

Hey! What good is a hobby if you can't have a little fun or a good laugh once in awhile?

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Otto Perry's Santa Fe


Northbound Norfolk Southern intermodal transfer train crossing South Archer Avenue near Chicago's Midway Airport.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

The seasonal outdoor attractions at the Haunted Trails Family Amusement Center closed for the winter off season. Bridgeview Illinois. March 2014.

Eastbound Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe freight train approaching the South Pulaski Road overpass bridge. Chicago Illinois. November 1987.

A G,M & O locomotive running light heads in to the tunnel.


"Let there be roller blading!" Eddie K enjoying that first outdoor roller blading session of 2014 at West Park. Des Plaines Illinois. Tuesday, March 18th, 2014.

With great weather outdoors yesterday and a complete lack of ice on the asphalt exercise path...I headed out to West Park in northwest suburban Des Plaines Illinois, for some long overdue fun and exercise on my inline roller blade skates.

Chicago's winter of 2014 was brutally lengthy, and featured several days and weeks on end of heavy frequent lake effect snowstorms, ice and sometimes dangerously cold temperatures in the single digits, and sometimes even below zero.

After hanging up my skates and gear when the winter weather arrived early during late November of 2013, it was definitely time to come back, and resume a fun and healthy past time in the park.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Westbound BNSF Railway freight train. Riverside Illinois. Sunday, March 16th, 2014.

Early Lucky Charms Commercial



It's hard to believe, but the popular General Mills breakfast cereal known as Lucky Charms, turns 50 years old in 2014. Yes it's true. Lucky Charms has been around since 1964, and I fondly remember enjoying a bowl or two of it when I was growing up in Chicago during the 1960's and 70's era.

Here is one of the early black and white Lucky Charms breakfast cereal cartoon comercials, that many people like myself and a few others may have watched during the typical Saturday morning children's television cartoon show timeslot, or perhaps during the weekday after school timeslot.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Illinois Central Gulf unrepainted former Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad EMD SD 40 # 916. Freeport Illinois. 1980. Mike Grogg photograph.

 
One Chicago railroad I fondly remember growing up with on the near southwest side of Chicago Illinois during the 1970's and early 1980's, was the former Illinois Central Gulf.
 
I lived approximately one mile north of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal near South Kedzie Avenue and approximately West 33rd Street, where the former Illinois Central Iowa division Mainline was located north of the canal, and the former Gulf, Mobile & Ohio mainline was located south of the canal near West 36th Street on the near southwest side of Chicago.
 
Although the Illinois Central Gulf was created from the August 10th, 1972 merger of the former Illinois Central and the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio railroads, repainting the fleet of locomotives in the official ICG orange and white color scheme that was adopted by the former Illinois Central in 1967, was a big task that would take several years before a number of the former locomotives from the G,M & O would eventually make it to the railroad's paint shop. Many former G,M & O locomotives rolled around in 1960's era EMD factory paint schemes, in to the mid 1980's.
 
Rauilfan photographer Mike Grogg, photographed a now fading and still unrepainted former Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad EMD SD 40 roadswitcher # 916, at Freeport Illinois during 1980. This was eight years after the merger that created the ICG, and was typical of some of the locomotives I had witnessed pulling ICG  freight trains, prior to me purchasing my first 35mm camera in 1983.
 
I model the early merger era ICG in H.O Scale, and operate both Illinois Central and Gulf, Mobile & Ohio equipement, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club
in west suburban Oak Park Illinois.
 
Thanks.
Eddie K.

A late winter season sunset. Glenview Illinois. March 2014.

I took this photograph after work one evening last week, in north suburban Glenview Illinois.

The days are gradually becoming a little bit longer, but the late winter season sunset colors are still quiete brilliant in the wetern sky.

Another workday comes to a close in a very colorful and artisitic way with the contrasting and delightful hues at sunset and twilight for all to enjoy.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Outdoor roller blading returns to West Park after a long winter hiatus. Des Plaines Illinois. Tuesday, March 18th, 2014.

Goodbye winter.

Hello -ooooo Springtime! Yes!

The Harvard Illinois Metra commuter rail station. July 1996.

The outdoor seasonal attractions closed for the winter off season at the Haunted Trais Family Amusemen Center. Bridgeview Illinois. March 2014.

I took this photograph last week Sunday, in southwest suburban Bridgeview Illinois.

Gusty bone chilling winds and temperatures in the 20's, helped to make this image of the miniature portable roller coaster and other outdoor attractions at the Haunted Trails family Amusement Center look very lonely and forlorn.

Chicago's winter of 2014 was notoriously snowy, bitterly cold and unusually lengthy.

Soon this image of an outdoor section of a local amusement establishment during the empty off season, will be replaced by visiting families, happy children, laughter and smiling faces upon the arrival of the springtime season, and hot summer days to follow a few months ahead of it all from now.

Thanks.
Eddie k.

1970's era Chicago & NorthWestern R R grain extra.




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

A 1970's era Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad grain extra being pulled by a Walter's Trainline Series model of an EMD model GP 15 light roadswitcher diesel electric locomotive, passes by on the club layout with appropriate period freight cars in tow,

A Chessie System transfer train passing through Hayford Junction. Chicago Illinois. March 1985.

I took this photograph way back in March of 1985. Has it been 29 years ago already? Wow!

An eastbound Chessie System transfer train has just departed from the Belt Railway of Chicago's Clearing Yard, and is now crossing the Grand Trunk Western Railroad crosstreacks at Hayford Junction.

Eddie K's first outdoor roller blading session of the year at West Park. Des Plaines Illinois. Tuesday, March 18th, 2014.

Well folks....the snow and ice have finally melted on the asphalt exercise path at West Park in northwest suburban Des Plaines Illinois.

Yesterday was a pleasant day here in the greater Chicagoland area with partly sunny skies and a weather forecast predicting temperatures around 52 degrees Farenheight. Nice!

With good news like that...I packed up my inline roller blade skates and safety gear the night before, and spent part of my lunchtime yesterday pursuing a long overdue fun outdoor session of roller blading at West Park.

In early August of 2013, I purchased my roller blade skates and safety gear, and started to practice roller skating after an absence of nearly eight years. (Not by choice.) I skated often at West Park in Des Plaines Illinois until late November of 2013, when the weather took a turn for the very bitterly cold and wet, with snow and ice that were soon to follow in it's wake.

After a long winter of 2014 with frequent heavy lake effect snowstorms, sharp winds and dangerously cold temperatures, I was finally able to enjoy my first outdoor roller blading session of 2014. It was awesome!

Thanks.
Eddie k.

Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad EMD SW 1 yard switcher locomotive # 616 at the C&N,W Proviso Yard locomotive terminal. Maywood Illinois. May 29th, 1977. Dennis Schmidt photograph.

 
I found this historic 1970's era photograph from the former Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad at my Link page Fallen Flags.Org, which is located to the right of your computer screen at www.rr-fallenflags.org. This is a really cool railfan photo website that I discovered a few years ago.
 
One of my favorite Chicago railroads that I had grown up with many years ago, was the former Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad. With it's yellow and green color scheme and unique corporate logo on the side of the locomotive cabs, it was a colorful and yet sometimes plain working railroad.
 
The Chicago & NorthWestern was a big user of switcher type locomotives at the many freight yards and terminals that it owned, as well as on the many industrial branchlines that it had served numerous customers with switching locals picking up and dropping off cars on their spur sidings.
 
Railfan photographer Dennis Schmidt, photographed Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad EMD SW 1 yard switcher diesel electric locomotive # 616, during a maintenance session at the Proviso Yard locomotive terminal in Maywood Illinois, during late May of 1977.

The CASCADES-Rhythm Of the Rain



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

Well folks, wintertime here in Chicago is now in it's final stages, and springtime will be here
in just a few short days from now. Yaaaa-aaay!!!!!

However...we are now progressing toward that rainy and very soggy time of the year known
as the early springtime.

I thought that it would be nice to toss in a rainy weather song on my blogsite today, as the
greater Chicagoland area welcomes the arrival of springtime.

Thanks.
Eddie k.

A 1970's era Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad freight train idles above the urban viaduct.

I took this photograph last week Wednsday night, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club.

My recently purchased Athearn model of an Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad EMD CF 7 roadswitcher diesel electric locomotive, is viewed idling above the urban viaduct scene on the club layout.

Urban viaducts are a common everyday thing here in Chicago, and in some of the outlying suburban communities as well. The club's urban viaduct location on the club layout, is supposed to represent the Union Pacific's former Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad elevated mainline and urban viaducts along South Boulevard in Oak Park Illinois. However...with my Santa Fe locomotive on top of the viaduct, this urban scene could also easily pass for downtown Joliet Illinois, as the Santa Fe ran through urban viaduct scenes like this in the city of Joliet.

Thanks.
Eddie k.

Northbound Grand Trunk Western Railroad intermodal train approaching Marquette Park. Chicago Illinois. May 1987.

I took this photograph on a lovely springtime day, way back in May of 1987.

We are south of West 71st Street facing north in Chicago's Marquette Park neighborhood on the southwest side of the city.

A northbound Grand Trunk Western Railroad intermodal train has just passed through Hayford Junction, and is now approaching the West 71st Street railroad crossing, and will soon be passing along the west side of Chicago's Marquette Park.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

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

First Transit Ford paratransit mini bus # 5210 receiving some much needed repairs and maintenance at the rea mechanic's garage. Glenview Illinois. March 2014.

I took this photograph at work this evening, after I had clocked out and was preparing to drive home for the night.

First Transit Ford paratransit mini bus # 5210 seen here, had spent this past week out of service due to some mechanical issue of some sort that only a professional mechanic can diagnose.

Here is # 5210 receiving some much needed repairs and maintenance with the hood popped open, at the rear mechanic's garage at the First Transit, North Cook Garage facility in north suburban Glenview Illinois.

A vintage Trailways Bus Company General Motors motorcoach bus from the 1950's and 60's era.

 
 
This photograph appears courtesy of the interner photo site Northern California Bus Fans.

AGF Transportation Company Freightliner / Thomas Built school bus. Summit Illinois. March 2014.

I took this photograph a few days ago, in southwest suburban Summit Illinois.

This very stylish and modern Freightliner / Thomas Built school bus from the AGF Transportation Company, was photographed basking in frigid and very windy late winter sunshine near Illinois Route # 171 / Archer Road.

First Transit Ford bus runby. Glenview IL. April 2009.


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

I took this 35mm 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 intersection of South Archer and Kedzie Avenues in Chicago's Brighton Park neighborhood on an overcast November afternoon.