Monday, June 30, 2014
San Antonio trolley. San Antonio Texas. June 2014.
I took this photograph last week, during my vacation to the city of
San Antonio Texas. It was a fun and enjoyable vacation for my wife
and I. San Antonio is a fun city with many things to see and do, and
some of the nicest people you may ever meet. San Antonio rocks!
A popular and convenient way to see downtown San Antonio, The Alamo,
shopping district and connect to the riverwalk, is via these locally operated
replica streetcar buses.They provide frequent service in the downtown section
of San Antonio Texas.
Via / Primo bus service. San Antonio Texas. June 2014.
I took this photograph last week, during my vacation to San Antonio Texas.
One of the more unique city transit buses I encountered, were these long and
articulated buses from the San Antonio's Via transit system, operating in their
Primo subsidiary service operation. These buses are painted in an attractive -
color scheme, which closely resembles the Texas state flag.
A suburban Niles Free Pace bus at the intersection of North Milwaukee and West Touhy Avenues. Niles Illinois. Early June 2014.
I took this photograph recently during my morning lunch break, in
northwest suburban Niles Illinois. A short pace bus from the
Niles Free Bus program heading west / northwest on diagonal
Milwaukee Avenue, waits for the traffic signal to turn green at the
intersection of North Milwaukee and West Touhy Avenues .
Berkeley Charter Lines Mack transit bus.
I found this classic American transit bus photograph at my Link Page
Northern California Bus Fans, which is located to the right of Your -
computer screen at www.norcalbusfans.com (This is a very nice page.)
Being a bus fan myself, I have always had a soft spot in my heart, for
those classic American post war streamlined "Old Look" buses from
the historic past. The bus that is shown in this photograph, is a 1940's
and 50's era old look style streamlined transit bus, that was built by the
Mack Truck Company. Mack built buses until approximately 1960 .
Berkeley Charter Lines operated this classic if not somewhat basic
transit buses of the day, in this utilitarian yet attractive color scheme.
Thanks.
Eddie K.
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Chicago's Ohare International Airport. June 2014.
Hi Everyone! This is Eddie K, Your host and photographer here at
Eddie's Railfan Page. After a one week vacation to San Antonio -
Texas. I can now proudly say..."I'm back. Let the new posting begin.
I took this photograph last week Sunday morning, at Chicago's O'Hare
International Airport. We took a 2 and a half hour flight aboard an -
American Eagle jet plane. It was a fun vacation for me and my wife Cheryl.
Thanks.
Eddie K.
The River Walk. San Antonio Texas. June 2014.
One of several local attractions worth visiting in the downtown section of
San Antonio Texas, is the River Walk. With it's many stores, restaurants and
even a boat ride, this is a fun place to spend a day in San Antonio Texas.
The San Antonio Zoo Train. San Antonio Texas. June 2014.
Although our vacation to San Antonio Texas last week was very nice, unfortunately...
I wasn't able to take in much railfan photo activity. This photograph is going to have
do for now.A popular local family attraction located across the street from the San Antonio Zoo, is
miniature San Antonio Zoo train ride. Pulled by a gasoline powered replica of the famous
1860's era single drivered 4-2-4T C.P Huntington steam locomotive from the Central -
Pacific Railroad, this train takes you on a pleasant 2 mile 20 minute trip through a large
city park in San Antonio Texas.
Train operator engineer Scott, was one of the nicest people I met on the trip, and wants
to check out my blogsite Eddie's Railfan Page, as soon as he gets the chance to do so.
Texas size jelly beans candy. San Antonio Texas. June 2014.
A local candy treat found in most gift shops during my vacation last week in
the city of San Antonio Texas, are these large sized jelly bean candies.
Locally known as Texas Size Jelly Beans, these large jelly bean candies even
come in a clear plastic container in the shape of the state of Texas. Very nice.
Our vacation to San Antonio Texas last week, was very nice. Here we met some
of the nicest, kindest and most polite people anywhere. Some of the locals even
told my wife Cheryl and I, that we speak with a genuine Chicago accent. L.O.L!
Friday, June 20, 2014
A late 1940's / early 1950's era Chicago Transit Authority photograph of a CTA former Chicago Surface Lines electric streetcar operating on the Route # 21 / Cermak Road line. Photograph courtessy of the Central Electric Railfans Association.
I found this vintage color photograph from the early days of the Chicago Transit Authority
on the internet today. This photograph was taken on West 22nd Street aka Cermak Road,
5 city blocks east of South Kenton Avenue near the Chicago city limits border near west
suburban Cicero Illinois.
The Chicago Transit Authority was formed in 1945, but did not begin operations until
November 1st, 1947, after acquiring the streetcar and bus operating Chicago Surface Lines
Company, and the elevated and subway rapid transit operator Chicago Rapid Transit Company.
The early red CTA circle logo on the side of this electric streetcar, indicates that this photo
that was taken on the west side of Chicago, is from post 1947 times.
The Chicago Transit Authority operated electric former Chicago Surface Lines electric
streetcars on the CTA Route # 21 / Cermak Road line, until May 30th, 1954 when it was quickly
converted to transit bus operation.
Thanks
Eddie K.
The Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad's Riverdale Yard near Blue Island Illinois. August 17th, 1982. Dennis Schmidt photograph.
I found this historic early 1980's era photograph from the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad
at my Link page Fallen Flags.Org, which is located to the right of your computer screen at
www.rr-fallenflags.org
Beginning in 1980, the IHB began experimenting with an orange and black "Pumpkin" color
scheme, designed to eventually replace the old early 1960's era New York Central black and white
color scheme from the railroad's former parent company.
Locomotives in both color schemes, are viewed working on the far south side of Chicago, working
together at the IHB's own Riverdale Yard in 1982.
Railfan photographer Dennis Schmidt took this photograph.
Eddie's Railfan Page is taking a much deserved vacation break.
Hi Everyone!
This is Eddie K, your host and photographer here at Eddie's Railfan Page.
There will be no postings of my blogsite next week, as my lovely wife Cheryl and I,
will be out of town enjoying a well deserved and long overdue get a way vacation.
See you in two weeks with some "NEW" railfan photos and other subjects here.
Thanks.
Eddie K.
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Heavy switching activity around sunset at the IHB Argo Yard facility. Summit Illinois. Saturday, May 31st, 2014.
I was heading home from an all day visit with my family in nearby southwest
suburban Bridgeview Illinois, when I spotted this great photo opportunity on
South Archer Road / Illinois Route # 171 in neighboring Summit Illinois.
Two large Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad EMD roadswitchers, were viewed
making several back and forth moves across their concrete viaduct that spans
over South Archer Road. Here they are working in the late day sun.
Thanks.
Eddie K.
An old Sinclair gasoline service station in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood. Circa 1950's era.
I found this photograph on the Facebook page Bridgeport Chicago IL.
These classic art deco style gasoline stations with the tall gasoline
pumps, were once an everyday sight in Chicago and other towns
and cities across America.
Sinclair gasoline left Illinois during the early 1970's.
The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad changes their color scheme circa 1973.
The early 1970's, witnessed a number of changes to the MKT.
Beginning around 1973, the MKT or "The Katy" as it was known as,
switched from the solid red color scheme with minimal markings
under the previous railroad president, to this bold green and yellow
color scheme. The green and yellow color scheme, was the final
Katy color scheme, until the merger and acquisition by the Union -
Pacific Railroad during the early 1980's.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
An inbound 1970's era Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad (Chicago area) commuter train in H.O Scale.
I took this photograph recently, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club, located at 255 Augusta Street in west suburban Oak Park Illinois.
During the 1970's prior to the RTA takeover of Rock Island's commuter operations in 1978,
these red bi leval commuter trains, provided commuter rail transportation for many south
and far southwest suburban commuters in the geater Chicagoland area between downtown
Chicago to the city of Joliet Illinois.
Yellow Rose of Texas Stan Freberg tribute
Just for laughs on today's posting of my blogsite, I thought that it would be fun
to include this old 1955 radio comedy bit from American radio actor comedian
Stan Freberg.
In this video, Alice Dixon lip syncs and adds a visual presentation to this old audio
radio music comedy spoof.
Stan Freberg, was one of those comedians, who spoofed what has come to be known
as some of the most "Overplayed" popular songs of the day. In this case, the 1950's era..
During the 1950's, folk music was very popular in America, and the famous band leader
and entertainer Mitch Miller who had his own television "Sing A Long" show, recorded
the folk song "Yellow Rose of Texas" in 1955, and had a big hit with it.
Thanks.
Eddie K.
An eastbound BNSF Railway switching movement at Clyde Yard. Cicero Illinois. August 2007.
I took this photograph one afternoon after work, back in August of 2007.
Looking south from the adjacent Metra / Cicero Illinois station, there is much
heavy switching activity taking place at the BNSF Railway's Clyde Yard.
Northbound Canadian National freight train entering the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad's Argo Yard. Summit Illinois. May 2006.
I took this photograph one hazy morning, way back in May of 2006. A northbound CN transfer
freight train made up of auto rack cars, is viewed crossing South Archer Road / Illinois Rt # 171,
and entering in to the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad's Argo Yard facility, in southwest suburban Summit Illinois.
Monday, June 16, 2014
The locally popular U.S President Abraham Lincoln statue relaxing on a couch near a waterfall. Niles Illinois. June 2014.
Located near the intersection of West Touhy and North Milwaukee Avenues.
A fire engine from the north suburban village of Glenview Illinois. June 2014.
Photographed preparing to turn left on to Glenview Road
at the intersection of Harlem Avenue. Glenview Illinois.
A late 1960's era Illinois Central freight train crossing the urban viaduct.
Photographed at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,
H.O Scale Model Railroad Club. Oak Park Illinois. June 2014.
The intersection of South Kedzie Avenue and West 95th Street. Evergreen Park Illinois. May 1989.
I took this photograph one lovely springtime evening, way back in May of 1989.
Seen here the way it actually used to look like, is the southeast corner of West
95th Street and South Kedzie Avenue in south suburban Evergreen Park Illinois.
Pano's Lounge, The Shell gasoline station and several other buildings here, have
since been demolished and replaced with mini strip malls.
A late 1960's / early 1970's Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad freight train.
Photographed at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers
H.O Scale Model Railroad Club. Oak Park Illinois. June 2014.
Milwaukee Road EMD GP 9. Bennsenville Illinois. September 7th, 1975. Gary Stuebben photograph.
I found this classic black and white photograph from the -
former Milwaukee Road, at my Link page Fallen Flags,Org
Railfan photographer Gary Stuebben, photographed this Milwaukee
Road first generation EMD GP 9, at the Bensenville yard lovomotive
shops and terminal near Chicago's O'Hare Airport, in September of
1975. There were still many classic older diesel locomotives operating
in daily service on this railroad, during the 1970's.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
The attractive and short lived early 1950's era Rock Island EMD GP 7 freight service color scheme.
Photographed at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale
Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois.
This prototype paint scheme from the former Chicago, Rock Island
& Pacific Railroad, was introduced in the early 1950's. Although
attractive, it was difficult and expensive to maintain. A solid and
very utilitarian maroon color scheme, replaced this color scheme
by the end of the 1950's, mostly because of maintenance costs.
Two trains meet at Bellwood.
I took this photograph last night, at the Oak Park Society of Model
Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois.
Fellow club member Alex was operating his steam powered Canadian
National freight train. His freight train is viewed meeting my 1960's
era Gulf, Mobile & Ohio freight train, on the mainline at Bellwood Yard
on the club layout.
An early 1980's era Illinois Central Gulf Railroad caboose hop in H.O Scale.
I took this photograph a few weeks ago, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers
H.O Scale Model Railroad Club, in west suburban Oak Park Illinois.
Seen here in the club's rear staging yard, is a caboose hop transfer, from the former
Illinois Central Gulf Railroad, as one of these may have looked like circa 1981.
The ICG began experimenting with this very utilitarian dark gray and orange
color scheme on their diesel locomotives in 1980, as the company's orange and
white 1967 Illinois Central color scheme...did not weather well, and was prone
to ugly fading and grime due to constant exposure to the weather elements.
Monday, June 09, 2014
Chicago Transit Authority Route # 77 / Belmont bus stop sign. Chicago Illinois. June 2014.
Photographed facing east at the intersection of West Belmont and North Oketo Avenues.
Jackie Gleason and the cast of the tv show The Honeymooners.
One of my all time favorite television sit com shows I had grown up with,
was the all time 1950's era classic "The Honeymooners".
Being a bus driver myself, I can really relate to Jackie Gleason's character
"Ralph Kramden", the career New York City transit bus driver.
Although my 24 foot Ford paratransit mini bus I operate is nothing compared
to the 40 foot air brake equipped model like Jackie Gleason and his fellow
tv show cast members posed in....I still collect fares, try to maintain schedules,
communicate with dispatch, and occasionally deal with the nonsense that the often
crazy public can dish out. Still, I am a people person, and I enjoy being a bus driver.
Although I have Jackie Gleason's (Ralph Kramden's) job, I somehow wound up
with fellow cast member Art Carney's (Ed Norton's) personality. L.O.L
My wife and I, are both big fans of The Honeymooners today.
Thanks.
Eddie K.
Sunday, June 08, 2014
A northbound Norflk Southerm local freight train approaches the crosstracks at Brighton Junction. Chicago Illinois. September 2006.
A northbound Norfolk Southern short local freight train made up
of covered hopper cars, passes underneath the Chicago Transit
Authority's orange line rapid transit system, and approaches the
crosstracks at Brighton Junction near South Archer and Western
Avenues on the near southwest side of Chicago.
A former Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad Alco RS 1, leads a mid 1970's era ICG freight across the trestle.
I took this photograph a few months ago, at the Oak Park Society of Model
Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois.
My recently purchased used Atlas G,M & O Alco RS 1 roadswitcher, pulls
a mid 1970's era circa 1974-1975 Illinois Central Gulf Railroad freight train.
The G,M & O Alco diesels that were acquired through merger in 1972, were
actually rolling out their last miles in ICG revenue service around this time.
Wednesday, June 04, 2014
Bringing up the rear of a late 1950's era Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad freight train.
Photograped at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O
Scale Model Railroad Club. Oak Park Illinois. May 2014.
Western Pacific Railroad steel bay window caboose. Pocatello Idaho.September 1988. Dave Krumenacker photo.
I spotted this classic bay window caboose photo at my Link page
Fallen Flags.Org, which is located to the right of your computer
screen at www.rr-fallenflags.org
The Western Pacific Railroad was acquired through merger in 1982
by the Union Pacific Railroad. These two not yet repainted red
former Western Pacific steel bay window cabooses, were photographed
by railfan photographer Dave Krumenacker at Pocatello Idaho USA
back in September of 1988.
B.T. Express- 'Express' - With Images
Here is a unique mid 1970's disco, dance club hit song from an R & B / Funk
music group from New York City known as B.T Express.
I first heard this song when I was in the 6th grade during the spring of 1975.
Heck! I was a railfan early on. Even if you weren't in to disco or dance club music,
how could you NOT like a song featuring a train whistle and some really cool
saxophone riffs?
The big intersection of Dempster Street and Waukegan Road / Illinois Route # 43. Morton Grove Illinois. May 2014.
I pass through this intersection almost everyday at work.
An early 1980's era Illinois Central Gulf train entering the tunnel.
Photographed at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers H.O
Scale Model Railroad Club. Oak Park Illinois. May 2014.
Monday, June 02, 2014
Penn Central Railroad Alco C 630 diesel electric roadswitcher locomotive # 6340. Chicago Illinois. June 1968.
I found this photograph at my Link page Fallen Flags.Org, which is located to the right of your
computer screen at www.rr-fallenflags.org (A really nice website at that.)
Growing up on the near southwest side of Chicago like I did during the late 1960's and early 1970's,
one of my favorite railroads I enjoyed seeing, was the former Penn Central Railroad. I did not live
anywhere near a Penn Central owned rail line or facility, but I would sometimes witness their trains
traveling over other local Chicago area railroad lines, like the Belt Railway of Chicago.
This financially troubled from the "get go", was created from the January 1968 merger of the
Pennsylvania Railroad, and their one time rival New York Central. Their color scheme was a
plain and very basic black with white graphics and yellow end handrails. Some of their freight
cars and cabooses however, were painted in a unique Jade or Empire green color scheme similar
to what the former New York Central began painting their freight cars during the late 1950's.
This early Penn Central photograph, was taken in 1968 at Chicago Illinois.
Dino's Pizza at 7004 West Higgins Avenue. Chicago Illinois. May 2014.
A popular neighborhood eatery on the northwest side of Chicago, is Dino's
Pizza located at 7004 West Higgins Avenue in Chicago's Norwood Park
neighborhood community.
Seen here is their classic window neon sign, in the popular and relaxing
lounge section of the restaurant. This is a timeless image of Chicago's
business establishments past, from the era when many of Chicago's local
places of business once featured neon signs.
A classic Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad steam powered passenger train in H.O Scale.
The steam era on the prototype Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad
had pretty much ended in the year of 1955, but for model railroaders,it
is still there alive and well in miniature.
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.
My good friend and fellow club member Martin, was operating his recently
acquired Broadway limited Imports model of 1927 Baldwin built 4-8-4
steam locomotive # 3751, from the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad.
This locomotive operated in regular service in the state of California until 1953.
Upon retirement, it was donated to the San Bernadino Railroad Historical Society.
After many years of being on outdoor display in a local city park, It was removed
in 1986, and mechanically restored at a local Los Angeles California area steel mill
facility. It has been pulling railfan steam powered fantrip excursion specials on and off
since 1991. I grew up near a Santa Fe owned industrial branchline in my old southwest
side Chicago neighborhood, but had missed the steam era altogether like many railfans
from my time.
Thanks for bringing this engine to the club last week Martin.
Your club buddy
Eddie K.
Switching a heavy cut of freight cars at the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad's Argo Yard at sunset. Summit Illinois. Saturday, May 31st, 2014.
I took this photograph on my way home from a visit with my family this past
Saturday evening late in the day.
With the late day sun heading further to the west upon the approach of sunset,
the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad, saw much activity at their Argo Yard -
facility in southwest suburban Summit Illinois.
Two IHB EMD GP 38-2 roadswitchers wearing the IHB's 2005 bright orange
color scheme, are viewed shoving a cut of freight cars westbound in to Argo
Yard, passing over the concrete viaduct over South Archer Road / Illinois
Route # 171 in Summit Illinois, just south of the intersection at West 63rd Street.
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