Tuesday, September 30, 2014
A 1970's era Atchsion, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad unit grain train, crossing the tall steel trestle.
Photographed at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O
Scale Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois. OPSME on
Facebook. photographed in September of 2014.
Dardanelle & Russelville EMD SW 1 diesel switcher # 16. Dardanelle Arkansas. November 1987. Kam Miller photograph.
Shortline and industrial railroads, have always captured the attention
of most any camera carrying railfan, and the D & R Railroad in the
state of Arkansas is no exception.
Railfan photographer Kam Miller, photographed their first generation
EMD SW 1 switcher, still wearing now faded 1960's era colors, in the
town of Dardanelle Arkansas in November of 1987.
This photo appears courtesy of my Link Page Fallen Flags.Org
which is located to the right of your computer screen at
www.rr-fallenflags.org
Monday, September 29, 2014
Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page, from the city of Chicago Illinois USA!
Seasonal autum splendor in the greater Chicagoland area.
A mainline steam powered railfan excursion on the club layout.
Photographed at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O
Scale Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois. September 2014.
OPSME on Facebook.
A long unit grain train crosses the tall steel trestle.
Photographed at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O
Scale Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois. September 2014.
OPSME on Facebook.
The former Chicago Brookfield Zoo train rounding a curve. The Hesston Steam Museum. Hesston Indiana. Saturday, September 27th, 2014. www.hesston.org
This past Saturday afternoon, my lovely wife Cheryl and I, took
a much deserved and long overdue road trip to the Hesston Steam
Museum in northwest Indiana, near the state line border of the
neighboring town of New Buffalo Michigan.
A train that I rode a handful of times when I was a kid growing up
in Chicago during the 1960's and 70's era, was the 2 foot narrow
gauge Brookfield, Salt Creek & Western Railroad, that operated
from 1967 until 1985, at Chicago's Brookfield Zoo. The good news,
is that the former Brookfield Zoo train is alive and well, operating
today at The Hesston Steam Museum in La Porte County Indiana.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Boston & Maine Railroad 2-6-0 "Mogul" type steam locomotive pulling a local freight train. Lynn Massachusettes. April 1937. Frank Mellot photo collection.
I found this classic east coast United States railroad photograph from the steam era
at my Link page Fallen Flags.Org, which is located to the right of your computer
screen at www.rr-fallenflags.org
Railfan photographer Frank Mellot, photographed Boston & Maine Railroad
2-6-0 steam locomotive # 1440, pulling a local way freight through Lynn
Massachusettes in April of 1937.
The former Boston & Maine Railroad, was a big user of the practical small
to mid size 2-6-0 Mogul type steam locomotives. They were dual service
locomotives on the B & M. They were used on everything from local freight
trains, to commuter trains. They worked in to the 1950's, until finally replaced
by modern diesel electric locomotives. One is preserved at the Naugatauck
Railroad Museum in Naugatauck Connecticut today.
A 1950's and 60's era Santa Fe local crossing the river.
I photographed this video, at the Oak Park Society of Model engineers,
H.O Scale Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois.
My Bachman sound value series Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Alco
S 4 yard switcher wearing the 1950's era Santa Fe "Zebra Stripe"
color scheme used by the Santa Fe from 1950 until replaced by a
blue and yellow color scheme in 1960, pulls a typical 1950's and
early 1960's era Santa Fe switching local across the Missisippi Rive
lift bridge on the club layout.
Norfolk & Western Railroad EMD GP 35's at work pulling a freight train. New Haven Indiana. 1970's? Allen Gaines photo.
I found this classic 1970's era photograph from the former
Norfolk & Western Railroad at my Link page Fallen Flags
.Org, which is located to the right of your computer screen at
The Norfolk & Western Railroad, began using this solid black
with the large white NW lettering in 1971. These two N & W
high hood EMD GP 35 road switcher diesel electric locomotives,
are viewed at work pulling a freight train at New Haven Indiana.
Monday, September 22, 2014
A Baltimore & Ohio Railroad EMD E 8 passenger diesel locomotive in the 1960's era solid blue color scheme. Washington D.C. May 30th, 1966. Bob Rathke photogrph.
Blue has always been one of my all time favorite colors.
I found this classic 1960's era photograph from the former
B & O Railroad at my link page Fallen Flags.Org, which is
located to the right of your computer screen at.....
The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad like many dieselized post war
railroads, originally painted some of their diesel locomotives
in an elaborate multi colored blue and gray color scheme with
gold / yellow lettering and color separation stripes. This color
scheme in the long run, would prove to be difficult and expensive
to maintain, and by the early to mid 1960's, was replaced by a -
solid "Dip Job" dark blue paint scheme, which was more practical
and cost effective. May passenger diesels on the B & O, also would
receive "Dip Job" paint schemes, such as the locomotive shown here.
A trio of cabooses make for an interesting Santa Fe cboose hop.
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. OPSME on Facebook.
My Atlas H.O Scale model of an Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe
Railroad EMD model SD 24 six axel diesel electric roadswitcher,
is viewed pulling three different Athearn Santa Fe caboose models
in a very unique caboose hop operation. The last caboose, is painted
in the Santa Fe's pre 1966 plain color scheme, and represents an
unrebuilt 1940's era caboose.
Friday, September 19, 2014
Twilight in Bedford Park Illinois. Thursday, September 18th, 2014.
View facing west from inside Bedford Park (The city park) along
the east side of South Archer Road / Illinois Rt # 171 in
southwest suburban Bedford Park Illinois.
A 1970's era Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad unit grain train rounding the curve by the scrap yard.
Photographed at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O
Scale Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois.
OPSME on Facebook
4965 Rood Ashton Hall 'The Valentines Dinner Express' 14.02.2014
4965 Rood Ashton Hall 'The Valentines Dinner Express' 14.02.2014
Two former Chicago, North Shore And Milwaukee Railroad electric interurban coaches.
Preserved and operating today at the Illinois Railway Museum
in the town of Union Illinois. www.irm.org
Monday, September 15, 2014
The Congress Park overhead railroad block signals at twilight. Brookfoeld Illinois. July 2008.
Hi everyone! This is Eddie K, your host and photographer
here at Eddie's Railfan Page.
I took this photograph one colorful summer evening after work
back in July of 2008. I was just relaxing and photographing some
evening train activity on the BNSF Railway three track mainline.
I was on location at the Brookfield Illinois Metra commuter rail
station at Prairie Avenue. Although we were between trains at
the time, the beautiful summer twilight sky in all of it's colorful
glory, made the tall signal bridge look lovely and majestic as
night was now falling in the greater Chicagoland area.
Thanks.
Eddie K.
A northbound Canadian Pacific intermodal transfer train with a former Soo Line caboose, passing through the crosstracks at Hawthorne Junction. Chicago / Cicero Illinois. March 2007.
I took this photograph after work one afternoon, back in March of 2007.
We are on location at Hawthorne Junction, at the immediate Chicago
city limits border at west suburban Cicero Illinois. I was train spotting
along the Belt Railway of Chicago north -south line, when this unique
northbound Canadian Pacific Railroad intermodal transfer train came
slowly heading northbound, and crossing the Canadian National ex
Illinois Central Railroad crosstracks at Hawthorne Junction.
The steel utility signal cabinet shed in the photograph, is where the
old wooden steam era "Belt Tower" used to stand prior to 1990.
The hill to the left of the freight train was the site of the abandoned
Bell Air Drive In Movie Theatre in neighboring Cicero Illinois.
An eastbound Canadian Pacific freight train crossing North Harlem Avenue at the city limits border. Chicago Illinois. Sunday, September 14th, 2014.
I took this photograph yesterday evening, while out enjoying a
much deserved and refreshing exercise walk through Elmwood
Park Illinois around sunset.
A group of teenage boys standing on the Chicago side of the city
limits border, wait as a slow moving eastbound Canadian Pacific
Railroad transfer train, crosses North Harlem Avenue. The west
side of North Harlem Avenue to the left of the photo, is near N W
suburban Elmwood Park Illinois.
Deutsche Reichsbahn narrow gauge 1980 Wolkenstein - Jöhstadt.
Here is an old 8mm home movie from the European Nation that was formerly
known as East Germany that I found on You Tube a short while ago.
See? there were also fellow railfans on the other side of the Berlin Wall as well.
A privately owned late 1960's era International Harvester fire engine. North Riverside Illinois. Saturday, September 6th, 2014.
It is amazing what you might see firsthand when taking a walk.
My family and I, were visiting a local flea market at Commons
Park in North Riverside Illinois a few blocks to the north of here
along the east side of Des Plaines Avenue.
I was a little tired of the flea market myself, and decided to break
away and take an exercise walk through the neighborhood.
Seen here in the rear parking lot of the local Bar Tini Lounge, is
what appears to be a circa 1968 vintage International Harvester
loadstar fire engine truck. Although I found out that the owner of
the Bar Tini Lounge owns this classic old fire truck, his bar tender
informed me that the owner wasn't there today, and had no further
information at this time.
More than likely, this old fire engine will be restored and used
for local parades and various civic events.
Thanks.
Eddie K.
Late day sunshine highlights the cars of an eastbound Canadian Pacific freight train. Elmwood Park Illinois. Sunday evening, September 14th, 2014.
I was taking a much deserved and very refreshing exercise walk
through Elmwood Park Illinois, when I stopped to take this photo.
It was getting near sunset, when this eastbound Canadian Pacific
Railroad freight train was photographed along the north side of
West Fullerton Avenue, between the North 73rd Avenue and
North Harlem Avenue railroad crossings.
Friday, September 12, 2014
Your host and photographer enjoying a fun outdoor roller blading exercise session at West Park. Des Plaines Illinois. Sunday, September 7th, 2014.
Hi everyone! This is Eddie K, your host and photographer
here at Eddie's Railfan Page.
Aside from my interests in photography and Chicago area
train spotting, I am also an avid roller skater. I enjoy a nice
outdoor session at a local Chicago area city park or two, on
a paved path with my roller blade inline skates when the
weather is nice.
A former Chicago Surface Lines electric streetcar operating during the early years of the Chicago Transit Authority. Chicago Illinois circa 1950's era.
I found this vintage color photograph of a Chicago streetcar in
service during the early years of the Chicago Transit Authority,
on the internet today.
The Chicago Transit Authority was formed in 1945, but did not
begin operations until November 1st, 1947. Inheriting several
old pieces of transit equipment from the former Chicago Surface
Lines Company, and rapid transit antiquities from the former
Chicago Rapid Transit Company, it was definitely time to update
and modernize Chicago's old public transportation infrastructure
and equipment. Some equipment like former Chicago Surface lines
Pulman Standard Car Company built electric streetcar # 566 seen
here dating to 1908, were worn out mechanically and expensive
to operate and maintain. The CTA replaced electric streetcars with
cost effective motor buses during the 1950's.
The large green circular logo on the side of car # 566, indicates
that it is the early 1950's, and this car is working it's final years
in Chicago Transit Authority service.
Santa Fe and Rock Island two train meet.
This video was photographed at the Oak Park Society of Model
Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club located in Oak Park
Illinois.
This group also has a Facebook page known as OPSME.
A Kansas City Southern Railroad on an eastbound Union Pacific freight train. Des Plaines Illinois. Monday, April 7th, 2014.
I took this photograph one overcast morning this past spring.
I had just finished a lunchtime roller blading exercise session
at West Park in northwest suburban Des Plaines Illinois, when
I heard the sound of an approaching heavy freight train to the west,
on the former Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad freight only cut
off line, which passes along the north side of West Park.
This colorful and perhaps borrowed Kansas City Southern
Railroad General Electric diesel locomotive in the KCS
"Southern Belle Revival" color scheme, is viewed crossing
adjacent Wolf Road.
Big changes were in store for this old railroad crossing as
indicated by the bright orange safety pylon cone at the
base of the old crossing gate seen here. Approximately a
week or two later, these old crossing gates at Wolf Road,
were replaced by new crossing gates and crossing signals.
Atlantic Coast Line Railroad 4-6-2 Pacific type steam locomotive # 467 at Jacksonville Florida. July 1939. Photograph from the Harold Volrath Collection.
I found this classic steam era American railroad photograph
at my link page Fallen Flags.Org, which is located to the right
of your computer screen at www.rr-fallenflags.org
During the steam era, the standard passenger service locomotive
found on many U.S and Canadian railroads, were locomotives of
the 4-6-2 wheel arrangement, which were known as Pacific types.
The former Atlantic Coast Line Railroad used plenty of these.
An eastbound Canadian National freight train passing through North Riverside Illinois. April 2007.
I took this photograph one overcast springtime afternoon, back
In April of 2007. Although the sky indicates cloudy and gray,
the grass and foliage beg to differ. I was hanging out after work
relaxing at a lovely place known as Commons Park.
I was in the right place at the right time that day, when this slow
moving Canadian National freight train passed by along the north
edge of Commons Park, traveling over the former Illinois Central
Iowa Division Mainline.
Monday, September 08, 2014
Remembering the early days of today's CSX Transportation Company. Bridgeview Illinois. 1986. (From the internet.)
One of North America's largest railroads operating today, is the mega
CSX Transportation Company. This railroad was created during the mid 1980's,
from the mergers of several railroads over several years.
This early CSX transfer freight train, is viewed traveling over the
Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad, during the year of 1986. The lead
locomotive is still wearing 1960's era Baltimore & Ohio Railroad
blue and yellow colors and markings, while the second unit is
wearing the 1972 Chessie System colors and markings from the
B & O's successor railroad.
Pennsylvania Railroad Alco model RS 27 diesel electric locomotive # 2407 from the 1960's era.
Although the American Locomotive Company went out of business
during the year of 1969, there were several last ditch efforts with
various new and more powerful diesel electric locomotives being
offered to America's railroads, in the years leading up to the old
company's eventual demise.
A very unique and powerful locomotive marketed by Alco, was the
utilitarian model RS 27 diesel electric roadswitcher used for freight
service. Pennsylvania Railroad was the primary owner of this type.
I have a discontinued Life Like Proto 2000 Series model of this
locomotive in H.O Scale, painted in Alco demonstrator colors.
Be sure to check out "North Side Chicago" on Facebook.com. A fun and interactive photo and discussion group page I also host.
Hi everyone! This is Eddie K, your host and photographer
here at Eddie's Railfan Page, on the internet since 2006.
In recent months, I felt that it was time to branch out and
expand my opportunities, to reach out to several "Non"
railfans who have also been loyal and regular viewers of
Eddie's Railfan Page, who enjoy my Chicago area photos
and other special interest photos and features I incorporate.
For the viewers out there who are either from Chicago or
grew up on the north side of the city, or perhaps the northern
suburbs, be sure to visit my "New" Facebook photo and
discussion group page entitled "North Side Chicago."
Thanks You.
Eddie K.
Andy's Frozen Custard Drive In on South Harlem Avenue. Burbank Illinois. Opened in 2014.
For all the fans of American roadside culture, primarily classic
drive in restaurants, a new one reviving the old architectural -
style of 1950's and 60's era, opened recently in the southwest
Chicago suburb of Burbank Illinois in 2014.
Located along the east side of South Harlem Avenue, just south
of the intersection at West 79th Street, is the very retro and neon
decorated Andy's Frozen Custard drive in.
Wether you choose to enjoy your soft serve refreshments indoors
or out, this looks like a fun place to visit. Classic roadside revival.
The Southern Pacific Railroad's famous "Daylight" passenger train color scheme.
One classic and very popular North American railroad passenger
train color scheme from pre Amtrak times that has always held a
fascination for me and many other railfans, was the very stylish
and unique 'Daylight" red, orange and black color scheme from the
former Southern Pacific Railroad. Used beginning during the late
1930's until the mid 1950's, this color scheme was a real attention
getter, and a traveling public favorite amongst many west coast -
passenger train travelers decades ago.
This color scheme, was applied to the S.P's premier deluxe flagship
passenger trains such as "The Coast Daylight, The Shasta Daylight,
The San Joaquian Daylight, as well as a handful of older passenger
train cars assigned to secondary connecting passenger trains.
Thanks.
Eddie K.
Wednesday, September 03, 2014
Southbound Norfolk Southern Railroad Triple Crown Roadrailer train. Des Plaines Illinois. Wednsday, September 3rd, 2014.
I took this photograph during my lunch break this morning.
A fast moving Norfolk Southern Railroad Triple Crown service
lightweight roadrailer train, is viewed crossing Wolf Road in
Des Plaines Illinois. This train is traveling south / southwest on
the Union Pacific Railroad's former Chicago & NorthWestern R R
freight only bypass line.
Pennsylvania Railroad K4s Class 4-6-2 Pacific type steam locomotive # 1551. Youngstown Ohio. September 3rd, 1939.
One of the best known steam locomotives of all time, was the famous and powerful K4s Class
4-6-2 passenger service Pacific type steam locomotives from the former Pennsylvania Railroad.
PRR locomotive # 1551, is shown here at Youngstown Ohio on September 3rd, 1939. The PRR
K 4s Class steam locomotives, lasted in service until 1957, when they were retired and replaced
by diesel locomotives. Luckilly, two of these locomotives have made it to preservation today.
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