Photographed at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O
Scale Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois.
OPSME on Facebook.
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
A steam powered railfan excursion train in H.O Scale. Photographed at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois.
Look up OPSME on Facebook for more photos from this club.
Monday, November 24, 2014
Northern Pacific Railroad, General Electric U 25C diesel electric locomotive # 2525. Photographed at the Burlington Northern Railroad Clyde Yard in Cicero Illinois. March 23rd, 1970. Lee Hastman photograph.
I found this historic photograph from the early days of the Burlington
Northern Railroad at my Link page Fallen Flags.Org, which is located
to the right of your computer screen at www.rr-fallenflags.org
On March 2nd, 1970....the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, the Great
Northern, The Northern Pacific, and the Spokane, Portland & Seatle
railroads merged, and became the Burlington Northern Railroad.
Seen here less than a month in to the merger, is former Northern Pacific
Railroad, General Electric U 25C diesel electric locomotive # 2525, idling
at the former Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad locomotive terminal,
at their Clyde Yard facility in Cicero Illinois.
Friday, November 21, 2014
A westbound BNSF Railway transfer train passing through Hayford Junction. Chicago Illinois. Friday, November 21st, 2014.
I was passing through the southside of Chicago today, and decided
to stop and visit one of my old railfan haunts I used to go to way
back in the 1980's. I set up tyrackside at Hayford junction, located
at West 75th Street and South Central Park Avenue, in Chicago's
Ashburn neighborhood.
A slow moving BNSF Railway transfer freight train traveling -
over the Belt Railway of Chicago tracks, is viewed passing -
through the former GTW crosstracks, and entering the Belt Railway
of Chicago's Clearing Yard facility in Bedford Park Illinois near
Chicago's Midway International Airport on a sunny but cold day.
Thanks.
Eddie K.
Thursday, November 20, 2014
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
Attention motorists! The winter season is approaching quickly. Please drive carefully.
A public safety message from Eddie's Railfan Page.
Electric streetcars and mainline freight trains running paralel. The Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club. Oak Park Illinois. OPSME on Facebook.
I took this photograph last month, at the Oak Park Society of
Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club in Oak Park
Illinois, during one of the weekly Wednsday night operating -
sessions. Lots of fun, imagination and variety keep the layout
operating sessions interesting on any given visit.
The two car trolley train operating in the forground, is a recently
added short demonstration line, that represents the Chicago -
Transit Authority's once ground leval operating "Lake Street"
elevated rapid transit line. The train in the background, is my 1970's
era Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe freight train.
Rapid transit equipment in H.O Scale, let alone vintage CTA cars
in miniature, are on the scarce side these days, so the trolleys will
do for the time being, or when anyone wants to operate them.
An Alco RS 27 diesel electric demonstrator road switcher locomotive, pulls an Oak River Railroad caboose hop past the tower.
Photographed at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O
Scale Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois. OPSME on
Facebook.
Photographed on Wednsday night, November 19th, 2014.
A preserved 1926 vintage vertical boilered steam roller paving machine on display. The Arrow Road Construction Company. Mount Prospect Illinois. November 2014.
This classic purpose built paving machine from the construction-
industrie's past, is on display in the front yard, at the Arrow Road
Construction Company. 3504 South Busse Road in northwest -
suburban Mount Prospect Illinois.
This machine, is from when a steam roller, really was a steam roller.
A southbound Union Pacific Railroad unit grain train, waiting on a hold order. Northbrook Illinois. October 2014.
Photographed facing west, at the Willow Road viaduct.
Monday, November 17, 2014
An early 1970's era photograph, of Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad 1960's era Alco RSD 15 "Aligator" locomotive # 9807, in the 1972 "Yellow Bonnet" color scheme.
I found this photograph at my link page Fallen flags.Org,
www.rr-fallenflags.org, located to the right of your -
computer screen.
Broadway limited Imports released a model last year in
H.O Scale, of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad's
late 1950's / early 1960's era American Locomotive Co
model RSD 15 Roadswitcher diesel electric locomotive.
Originally painted in the 1950's era Santa Fe black and silver
zebra stripe color scheme when introduced, many are best
remembered for wearing the Santa Fe's 1960's era blue and -
yellow "Pinstripe" or "Book Ends" color scheme.
When I first saw the Broadway limited Imports H.O Model
on display at some local Chicago area hobby stores, it was
painted in the 1972 yellow bonnet color scheme shown here.
I was doubtful about this at first, but this photograph proves
that some of these older locomotives did get the new image
1972 yellow bonnet color scheme on the Santa Fe as well.
-54.jpg)
A westbound BNSF Railway empty unit coal train. Riverside Illinois. October 2006.
I took this photograph one crystal clear autum morning, back in
October of 2006, on location in the town of Riverside Illinois.
With the morning rush hour commuter train traffic just about
all out of the way, a westbound BNSF Railway empty unit -
coal train, has just received the green block signal, and is now
slowly picking up speed, as it passes through Riverside Illinois.
Friday, November 14, 2014
Morning rush hour Metra commuter train activity, at the Harlem Avenue railroad crossing. Berwyn Illinois. January 2008.
I took this photograph one weekday morning, back in January of 2008.
It is a very busy time on the Metra / BNSF Railway three track Chicago
to Aurora Illinois commuter mainline, as local trains are stopping at the
Harlem Avenue station, out of view to the right, and express trains
are quickly passing by at speed both east and westbound this morning.
A westbound BNSF Railway intermodal transfer train. Hodgkins Illinois. January 2007.
I took this photograph on an overcast, dry but bitterly cold
winter morning, back in January of 2007.
A westbound BNSF Railway intermodal transfer train, is -
viewed passing through near southwest suburban Hodgkins
Illinois. The train is heading for the recently built and very
huge intermodal yard facility, constructed by the predecessor
company Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe during the 1990's.
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Late day switching activity at the Canadian National's former Illinois Central Crawford Yard. Chicago Illinois. Early October 2007.
A former Grand Trunk Western Railroad EMD roadswitcher
diesel electric locomotive acquired by Canadian National through
merger in 1999, is viewed switching the former Illinois Central
Railroad Crawford Yard, near South Kostner Avenue and West
33rd Street, near the Chicago city limits east of Cicero Illinois.
The sun was beginning to set not just on Chicago, but also the CN
Crawford Yard, and the Coal burning Commonwealth Edison Co
Crawford Generating Station electric power plant in the background.
The CN closed Crawford Yard in 2011, and removed the tracks, The
Commonwealth Edison Crawford Generating Station, was closed in
2013. The red and white smoke stack has since ben demolished too.
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
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An early 1980's era Illinois Central Gulf Railroad grain extra in H.O Scale.
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.
When I was growing up on the near southwest side of Chicago
during the 1960's, 70's and 80's era...I lived several blocks north
of the former Illinois Central's Iowa Division Mainline, and about
one mile north of the former Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad line.
During the 1970's and 80's (Post 1972) I seen many unit grain
extras operating over the Illinois Central Gulf over both former
mainlines. Heck! I just had to have one for memory sake as well.
Although I originally "Hated" this ugly and utilitarian orange
and gray color scheme that the ICG introduced in 1980, I miss
the old ICG today, and now it doesn't look so bad after all.
This train shown here, takes me back to my southside Chicago days!
Thanks.
Eddie K.
A short Grand Trunk Western Railroad transfer train, enters the interchange curve at Hayford Junction. Chicago Illinois. June 1984.
Here is a classic photograph from my early, 35mm days as a
local Chicago area railfan photographer back in 1984.
I was hanging out at the Belt Railway of Chicago / GTW
crosstracks, at Hayford Junction. Located near West 75th
Street and South Central Park Avenue in Chicago's Ashburn
neighborhood. This is a very busy southside Chicago railroad
junction. I used to visit this place a lot during the 1980's.
A short Grand Trunk Western Railroad transfer train, is viewed
entering on to the interchange connection track north of the BRC
crosstracks, and will soon be heading westbound, in to the Belt
Railway of Chicago's Clearing Yard facility.
Thanks.
Eddie K.
A unique Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad caboose hop with 3 cabooses. Photographed at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois. OPSME on Facebook.
Photographed rounding the mainline curve alongside the scrap
yard, on the club layout. September 2014.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Eastbound Canadian National freight train. Elmwood Park Illinois. November 2014.
I took this photograph yesterday afternoon, in Elmwood Park
Illinois. It was a nice day to enjoy an afternoon exercise walk.
An eastbound Canadian National freight train, has just cleared
the diagonal Grand Avenue railroad crossing, and is now about
to pass through the Elmwood Park Metra commuter rail station,
with several freight cars in tow.
The safety valve pops on the former Chicago Brookfield Zoo steam locomotive # 242. The Hesston Steam Museum. Hesston Indiana. Saturday, September 27th, 2014.
I took this photograph recently, at the Hesston Steam Museum.
Located in the town of Hesston Indiana, near the neighboring
border town of New Buffalo Michigan, this is a fun and very
family friendly seasonal attraction worth visiting any year.
for more information, log on to www.hesston.org
Former Chicago Brookfield Zoo steam locomotive # 242, is
viewed simmering away at the museum's Hesston Junction
depot between runs. With the steam preasure building up in
the boiler, the locomotive's safety valves have just popped
open, to release the excess steam preasure, and prevent an
unfortunate boiler explosion from happening.
Safety is number # 1 here at the Hesston Steam Museum.
An eastbound Metra local, prepares to depart the Elmwood Park station. Elmwood Park Illinois. November 2014.
I took this photograph yesterday afternoon, while I was outside
enjoying a nice leisurely exercise walk through Elmwood Park
Illinois. It was nice temperature wise despite the hazy sunshine,
wind and somewhat overcast conditions that day.
An eastbound Metra local commuter train enroute to Chicago
Union Station from Elgin Illinois, is viewed as it is just -
about to depart from the Elmwood Park commuter rail station.
Penn Central Railroad EMD F 7 locomotive # 1639 at Collinwood Ohio. January 1969. Dave Gross photograph.
I found this wintertime railroad photograph at my Link page
Fallen Flags.Org, which is located to the right of your screen
I was born in 1962, and one American railroad I remember
from my own childhood growing up in Chicago, was the -
former and now long gone Penn Central Railroad. The PC
was created from the 1968 merger of the once mighty North
American railroads New York Central, and the Pennsylvania
Railroad. In 1969, the New York, New Haven & Hartford -
Railroad, would also join and become part of the Penn Central
system. Sadly, by 1970...the Penn Central would file for it's
first bankruptcy. The railroad would struggle financially, until
the U.S Govorment would bail out the PC and 5 other northeast
regional railroads, and begin a new company known as Conrail
in April of 1976.
Seen here during the early years of Penn Central operation,
are Penn Central EMD F 7 locomotive # 1639 and other PC
locomotives, idling at what is more than likely...the Collinwood
Ohio former New York Central Railroad locomotive terminal
on a bitterly cold January winter morning in 1969.
Thanks.
Eddie K.
Thursday, November 06, 2014
Enjoying a lovely autum morning walk through Shabona Park. Chicago Illinois. Early November 2014.
A great way to start ones day. Fresh air and sunshine.
My H.O Scale, early 1980's era Illinois Central Gulf grain extra, crossing the tall steel trestle.
Photographed this Wednsday night, at the Oak Park Society of
Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club in Oak Park
Illinois. This club also has a site on Facebook known as OPSME.
An eastbound Canadian Pacific Railroad freight train passing through the junction. Franklin Park Illinois. Early November 2014.
I took this photograph earlier this week, in northwest suburban
Franklin Park Illinois. This view is facing south, from the Metra /
Belmont Avenue station, on the Canadian National owned Metra,
Northern Central line. This route sees commuter train service -
between Chicago to Antioch Illinois, Monday thru Friday only.
Looking south across adjacent Belmont Avenue, we see an E B
Canadian Pacific Railroad freight train, passing through the CP
and CN cross tracks, at the junction where preserved Milwaukee
Road Tower B 12 had once stood many years ago, just east of
downtown Frankin Park Illinois.
A mock up display of a mini submarine. Chicago's John G. Shedd Aqairium. September 2010.
A fun and very educational local Chicago family attraction worth always
visiting here in the windy city, is the famous John G. Shedd Aquarium.
Aside from their many varieties of fish and other water wildlife exhibits,
is this unique mock up of a mini submarine used for ocean exploration.
Children love this exhibit, as do a few grown ups who can sometimes
compare it to the one in the 1968 animated movie "Yellow Submarine",
which featured the music and cartoon likeness of the Fab Four.
A preserved and operating two car electric interurban passenger train, from the Chicago, North Shore And Milwaukee Railroad.
Photographed at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union Illinois.
besure to check out their website at www.irm.org
A very grimy and heavilly weathered Burlington Northern diesel locomotive in H.O Scale.
I took this photograph last night, at the Oak Park Society of Model
Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois.
OPSME on Facebook.
My good friend and fellow club member Chuck Colin, was operating
his 1970's and 80's era, Burlington Northern Railroad unit coal train.
Chuck is a modeler who likes to have his equipment look weathered,
grimy, rusty and very well used, just like the everyday railroads we see.
Heck! Chuck's engine seen here, even looks like it's kept outside 24-7.
Thanks Chuck!
Eddie K.
Block signals on the Metra / Milwaukee Disctrict Northline / Canadin Pacific mainline. Glenview Illinois. Early November 2014.
These are the northbound mainline signals, near
the Metra "Glen of North Glenview" commuter
rail station, in Chicago's northern Cook County
suburbs.
Wednesday, November 05, 2014
A recent walk down memory lane for me. Chicago Illinois. Early November 2014.
Hi everyone!
This is Eddie K, your host and photographer her at Eddie's Railfan Page.
I had the opportunity just a few days ago, to pass through an area of the
greater Chicagoland area that was very near and dear to me in years past,
and even better yet...I actually had my camera with me, and was able to
stop and take a few photographs to boot! Yeah!
I grew up on the southwest side of Chicago, and attended Curie High School
from 1977 until 1981. One activity I absolutely enjoyed doing during my 4
years of attending Curie High School, were my occasional morning walks -
through Chicago's Archer Heights neighborhood, and the neighboring Elsdon,
and West Elsdon neighborhoods just a few city blocks from the school, prior
to the start of my school day.
I always enjoyed a nice morning exercise walk, anytime of the year before
or even after my school day. I frequently took walks along South Harding
Avenue, West 51st Street, South Pulaski Road, and many of the pleasant
and residential streets that surrounded Curie High School.
I took this photograph at the residential intersection of West 54th Street,
and South Harding Avenue in Chicago's West Elsdon neighborhood, just
a few city blocks south of Curie High School. It brought back many happy -
memories of my refreshing morning or afternoon exercise walks through
here, during my high school years.
Thanks.
Eddie K.
A preserved Whitcomb industrial internal combustion switching locomotive on display. The Hesston Steam Museum. Hesston Indiana. Saturday, September 27th, 2014. www.hesston.org
I took this photograph during a recent, late September 2014
visit, to the Hesston Steam Museum in northwest Indiana.
One of the many lesser known, working tools of railroading's-
past, were these early "Cost Effective" gasoline powered early-
internal combustion locomotives, used often as in plant switchers
in private industries, steel mills, manufacturing plants, or even as
railroad shop switchers.
These locomotives were very practical, and were ideal for spotting
one or two cars at a time, and were much cheaper to operate than
a convential steam locomotive for light duty operations.
This particular (1920's?) era standard gauge example, is now
cosmetically restored and on display for all to see and enjoy, at
the Hesston Steam Museum, in the town of Hesston Indiana.
Southbound Norfolk Southern Railroad / Tripple Crown Roadrailer train crossing Wolf Road. Des Plaines Illinois. September 2014.
I took this photograph one beautiful sunny day, back in September
of 2014, in northwest suburban Des Plaines Illinois.
A fast moving Norfolk Southern Railroad / Tripple Crown, Road-
Railer train, is viewed heading west / southwest over the Union -
Pacific Railroad's former Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad freight
only cut off line, through northwest suburban Des Plaines Illinois.
A 1970's era auto parts train passing overhead on the viaduct.
I took this photograph recently, during an October 2014 operating
session night, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O
Scale Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois. OPSME on
Facebook.
A classic 1950's era streamlined Flxible Flyer commuter bus, is
passing underneath the urban viaduct, as a long and heavy auto
parts freight train passes by overhead on the club layout.
This was a very common if not daily scene, in most North -
American cities during the 1960's and 70's era.
Thanks.
Eddie K.
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