Northbound Canadian Pacific freight train with Indiana Railroad units. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2006.

Seen here waiting on a hold order, is a northbound CP Rail freight train on Belt Railway of Chicago trackage. Tucked into the consist, are these two former Soo Line EMD roadswitchers, now employed by the Indiana Railroad. This is yet another example of a railroad traffic jam, as nearby Craigin Junction approximately a mile and a half away was occupied with east and west railroad traffic.

Chicago Transit Authority 6000 Series rapid transit cars. Downtown Chicago Illinois USA. April 1986.

I took this photo from an overhead walkway bridge. I do not remember what station this was, but I do recall that this was from an April 1986 fantrip charter, sponsored by the Illinois Railway Museum. Not long after this charter...several CTA St. Louis Car Company 6000 series cars began arriving at the Illinois Railway Museum.

Northbound Norfolk Southern freight train with Southern Pacific bay window caboose. Nerska Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. November 1989.

I took this picture back in November of 1989.
Seen here is a northbound Norfolk Southern freight train, that for some unexplained reason, has a Southern Pacific bay window caboose on the trains rear. Just ahead of the caboose is a pre 1970 Great Northern Railroad boxcar in the 1967 Big Sky Blue color scheme. On March 2nd 1970, the Great Northern -Northern Pacific -The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy -and the Spokane, Portland & Seatle railroads merged and became the Burlington Northern Railroad. The train is crossing the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at approximately west 41st Street.

All in a days work for Your host and photographer.

Good morning everyone!
Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page.
I took this photo at work one day in April of 2007. We are on location at the Tony's Finer Foods grocery store, at 2500 north Central Avenue in Chicago Illinois USA. I had just put up the display seen here on the top shelf. I work as an outside sales rep for the Clover Club bottling company of Chicago. Seen from left to right, are Berghoff Root Beer 6 Packs and 32oz quart bottles -Dog N Suds 32oz Root Beer, and 2 litre Diet and Regulair Green River soda. On a lower shelf out of view are 32oz Orange and Strawberry Green River, as well as 32oz
Dog N Suds Orange Cream -and Cream Soda. I love being a salesman!

Northbound Iowa,Chicago & Eastern RR freight train. Hawthorne Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo on a bitterly cold but sunny morning, in January of 2007. Traveling northbound on the Belt Railway of Chicago trackage, is an Iowa, Chicago & Eastern freight train approaching the former Illinois Central crosstracks at Hawthorne Junction.

Czechloslovakian 0-4-0 T and train departing on another run. The Hesston Steam Museum. Hesston Indiana USA. August 2005.

I took this photo at the Hesston Steam Museum in northwest Indiana, in early August of 2005. An 0-4-0T side tank steam locomotive from Czechloslovakia, is seen pulling open wooden coaches that had formally operated at Chicago's Brookfield Zoo from 1967 to 1985.

CSX Transportation west 16th Street industrial switching local. Cicero Illinois USA. March 2007.

This is one local Chicago area freight train operation that is both elusive, and still capable of an occasional surprise encounter or two. Seen here looking out of My drivers side window in My car, is the CSX Transportation switching local ,that serves the industries along west 16th Street in suburban Cicero Illinois USA. Seen here heading eastbound at the south Laramie Avenue railroad crossing, is an EMD SD40-2 from a leasing company. Lease units occasionally show up on this industrial switching local. The loads are generally heavy, so six axel units such as this one show up frequently on west 16th Street. This is a slow speed line with lots of bell ringing and horn tooting for the frequent grade crossings. This line runs adjacent to west 16th Street mostly on private right of way.

Northbound Canadian Pacific RR unit grain train. Chicago Illinois USA. April 2006.

I took this photo one morning in April of 2007. Seen here is a northbound Canadian Pacific Railroad unit grain train. This train is heading northbound over the Belt Railway of Chicago to Craigin Junction. This location is on north Kenton Avenue near west Kinzie Street, on the west side of the city of Chicago Illinois.

An early Springtime morning scene from River Forest Illinois USA. March 2007.

Good morning everybody!
Welcome to Eddie's Railfan Page. In todays edition, I will be showcasing some photographs that I had taken in March of 2007, during the early Spring. Seen here on north Thatcher avenue, is a branchline / Freight only secondary line utilized by the Canadian National Railroad .(for the most part) Supposidly...this line is owned by CSX Transportation, but several viaduct underpasses on this line are lettered for the Soo Line Railroad. The only trains that I have seen on here are Canadian National's, some with former Illinois Central diesel locomotives. River Forest is an upscale northwest suburban community outside of Chicago. This town is located near the villages of Oak Park -Maywood
Melrose Park , and Forest Park Illinois. It is lovely here most any season of the year.

Southbound CTA Yellow Line train at the Main Street crossing. Skokie Illinois USA. March 2007.

Seen here racing southbound at Main Street, is a Chicago ransit Authority yellow line train. This line in past years was refered to as the Skokie Swift. This short shuttle rapid transit line operates between Dempster Street station in Skokie Illinois, and Howard Street station in nearby Evanston Illinos. Notice the roofwalks on top of the rapid transit cars. Prior to September of 2004, the segment from East Prairie Road to Dempster street operated under overhead catenary wires, and these cars had roof top Pantographs to contact the wire. In 2004, the overhead wire /anti 3rd rail ordinance was overturned, and the CTA standardized this rapid transit line to 100 percent 3rd rail operation. Now any CTA rapid transit car can use this line.

Craigin Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. March 2007.

I took this photo from the north platform of the Metra Cicero / Grand Avenue commuter rail station on Chicago's northside. Seen here just east of the platforms on north Cicero Avenue, is the much fabled Craigin Junction. This is the north terminal and interchange for the Belt Railway of Chicago's north /south line. A freight train with locomotives from both the BNSF Railway, and the Canadian National Railroad, are seen waiting for clearance on the BRC interchange track with the Canadian Pacific Railroad, while a Metra maintenance crew goes about there workday business.

Eastbound Canadian Pacific freight train. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. March 2007.

I took this photo one morning on My way to work. I was buying some gasoline at Speed's Citgo (one of My customers) at north 75th and west Grand Avenues in northwest suburban Elmwood Park Illinois USA. I heard the distant approaching horns of a freight train, and seen the crossing signals on north 75th Avenue activate. Soon this eastbound Canadian Pacific train was heading east to Craigin Junction, and then south to Bedford Park Illinois on the Belt Railway of Chicago rackage to Clearing Yard. This is the former Milwaukee Road mainline seen here.

Wednsday, April 11th 2007. A Rude Awakening in Chicago!

I took this photo enroute to a sales call / store servicing visit this morning. We are looking west from the north Canfield Road overpass bridge in northwest suburban Norridge Illinois, near Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. Heavy wet snow is falling with a fierce wind out of the east. It's 34 degrees farenheight outside, as a Chicago Transit Authority "Blue Line" rapid transit train, is seen racing to the O'Hare terminal in Rosemont Illinois USA.
You call this April!?

What month is this anyway? Inbound Metra approaching the Edison Park commuter rail station. Chicago Illinois USA. Wednsday ,April 11th 2007.

The greater Chicagoland area woke up to heavy wet snowstorms today. In a scene out of December's Christmas season, an inbound Metra commuter train enroute from Harvard Illinois, is seen approaching the Edison Park station on the Union Pacific ex Chicago & NorthWestern RR northwest line. Further north, all trains were stopped in the town of Barrington Illinois due to fallen power lines on the railroad tracks.
It was a messy morning, and very un springlike.

Old black and white steam locomotive photograph. Wichita & Northwestern RR # 9.

During the 1980's, I had bought a small set of old black and white railroad steam locomotive photos.
I do not have any information on this locomotive, other than the fact is, it worked for a railroad in the State of Kansas. This is a typical shortline dual service locomotive from the 1890's era.

A simulair locomotive that is almost a "Ringer"
for this locomotive, and best of all is preserved today, is Sierra Railroad No# 3 built by the Rogers locomotive works in 1891.

Sierra Railroad # 3 operates on the Sierra Railroad / Railtown 1897 attraction in Jamestown California. This engine has appeared in numerous western movies, and was the "Mechanical Star" of the 1960's television series "Petticoat Junction", wich aired from 1963 to 1970.

If anybody has any information on Wichita & Northwestern Railroad # 9, I would greatly appreciate it.

Canadian National yard switchers. Crawford Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. March 2006.

I took this photo after work one evening in March of 2006. Seen here switching tank cars at the little Crawford Yard facility near west 33rd Street and south Pulaski Road, are two Canadian National Railroad EMD roadswitchers in the post 1999 CN New Image paint scheme. Notice the GTW -Grand Trunk Western reporting marks on the sides of the locomotive cabs. This location is on the former Illinois Central Railroad's Iowa Division mainline.

Eastbound CSX Transportation west 16th Street switching local. Cicero Illinois USA. September 2006.

I took this photo one day after work, in early September of 2006. Railfan photo opportunities sometimes appear suddenly and can catch You "Off Gaurd"on occasion. I was traveling west on 16th Street in suburban Cicero Illinois, and took this photo out of My drivers side window. CSX Transportation operates this former B & O industrial spur line on west 16th Street. The train seems to operate on "No Set Schedual"...

so this was one of those right time / Right place photographic situations. Luckilly I had My camera handy at the time.

Sunset in Burbank Illinois USA. March 2007.

I took this evening photo after work one day in March of 2007. We are in the village of Burbank Illinois, in Chicago's southwest suburbs. This is the intersection of west 79th Street and south Central Avenue looking west into the setting sun.
To the right of the photograph is a fast food place called Kojak's Drive In, wich specializes in tasty Gyros and other Greek and American fast food specialties.

Westbound Canadian National Railroad unit grain train. Chicago Illinois USA. March 2007.

I took this photo after work one day, in March of 2007. We are looking southeast from the Metra Hanson Park commuter rail depot, near Central and Grand Avenues on Chicago's northside.
A westbound Canadian National unit grain train is seen heading west on the freight train bypass track adjacent to the commter flag stop depot. The lead diesel locomotive is seen in an unusual gray color scheme with orange and yellow stripes.

Westbound BNSF Railway intermodal transfer train. Hayford Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. March 2007.

I took this photo one evening after work in March of 2007. We are at Hayford Junction, wich is located at west 75th Street and south Central Park Avenue. A BNSF Railway locomotive, still rolling around in the former Santa Fe warbonnet color scheme, is seen bringing an intermodal container train to the Belt Railway of Chicago's large Clearing Yard. The train is crossing over the Canadian National Railroad's former Grand Trunk Western track. This is a very active Chicago railroad interchange junction.

Westbound Metra express commuter train speeding through the Hanson Park depot. Chicago Illinois USA. March 2007.

Stand back!
I took this photo looking east from the south platform, at the Metra Hanson Park commuter rail depot. The ground leval crossing signals began ringing at the wooden crosswalk, and I took My safe position alongside the fence. Soon the headlight of a fast approaching commuter train appeared, and it was quickly over too soon as this express train raced through the depot near north Central Avenue. Prior to 1985, this was the former Milwaukee Road mainline.

The crosstracks at Mc.Cook Junction. Mc.Cook Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo at Mc.Cook Junction near suburban Lyons Illinois. It was a bitterly cold early January morning in 2007. At the location shown here...The Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad's north /south line crosses and interchanges with the BNSF Railways former Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe mainline. This view is looking north on the Indiana Harbor Belt tracks. The Bridge in the background is Joliet Road, wich prior to 1962 was part of old U.S Route # 66. to the left is the Vulcan Materials company as indicated by the large dusty gravel piles and truck loading tipple.
This was the first time I visited this location since 1993. It was great to be back again.

A rainy day in Chicago. The intersection of Fullerton and Central Avenues.

Hello everyone!
Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page, from the city of Chicago. Today is "Bus Day" here at My transportation blog site. I took this photo at work one rainy morning in August of 2006. A Chicago Transit Authority Route # 74 Fullerton Avenue bus, has just picked up some passengers, and is now heading eastbound past the intersection of north Central Avenue.

Preserved 1970's General Motors transit bus from Milwaukee Wisconsin USA. The Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois USA. August 2006.

Seen here on display at the Illinois Railway Museum, is a preserved 1970's GMC fishbowl bus from the city of Milwaukee Wisconsin. The Milwaukee County Transit System operated these buses in regulair service until Junr 8th 2001. I was on the last run charter with a group from the Chicago chapter, of the Omnibus Society of America. This veteran transit bus now has a new home in the state of Illinois, at a museum.

Modified International school bus. Chicago Illinois USA. November 2006.

I took this photo at work one day, back in early November of 2006. We are looking north on Sheridan Road near Chicago's Loyola University. Seen here is a modified International school bus, used for shuttle bus / inner campus transportation for the university students.

Stuck in rush hour traffic . Chicago Illinois USA. October 2006.

I was working late when I took this photo looking south on Western Avenue. I was enroute back to My company to turn in My paperwork for the day. By the time I had finished this very busy day as an outside sales representative...I was caught in some very heavy rush hour traffic jams. A local school bus, was also caught up in the northside rush hour traffic too. Yes folks, You have never experienced a real rush hour -untill You have been stuck in a northside rush hour.
At least in Chicago anyway.

Westbound Pace Route # 319 bus at the intersection of Grand and Thatcher Avenues. River Grove Illinois USA. October 2006.

I was heading east enroute to a sales call, when I spotted this westbound Pace bus. Seen here waiting for the traffic light to change, is a 2002 Orion transit coach, with shrink wrap advertising billboard decals on the drivers side. This was a lovely indian summer day with lots of sunshine and mild temperatures in the greater Chicagoland area.

CTA Belmont Avenue east terminal. Chicago Illinois USA. October 2006.

This is the east terminal for the Chicago Transit Authority Route # 77 Belmont Avenue bus line, as well as the Route # 56 line seen in the terminal. This terminal is located on Belmont Avenue on the east side of north Halsted Street.
Prior to 1973, the CTA Route # 77 electric trolleybuses terminated here.

The old Tastee Freeze at west 58th Street and south Pulaski Road. Chicago Illinois USA. May 1984.

I took this photo on a warm night in May of 1984.
I was out having some soft serve ice cream with a friend I knew from nearby Curie High School just north of here on Pulaski Road. This little seasonal ice cream stand is still here today, but it is a privately owned independent business. In December when the ice cream stand is closed, the property is used to sell live Christmas trees.
To Me, this was a place of many happy summer memories, on Chicago's southwest side. I always enjoyed the flavored dip top cones -the chocolate malts, or the marshmallow sundaes they served.

The former Santa Fe -"I,N"-Illinois Northern switching local at work. Chicago Illinois USA. May 1984.

I took this photo in May of 1984, at approximately west 28th Street just east of south Kedzie Avenue, in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood. Seen here during happier times, is the 5 day a week switching local that the Santa Fe operated on the 6 mile industrial Illinois Northern branch, on Chicago's near southwest side. Prior to the total 1972 takeover by the Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe, this was the Illinois Northern shortline railroad. The old I,N was a Santa Fe subsidiary, and operated Alco end cab "S" series switchers in tbe black and silver Santa Fe 1950's era -"Zebra Stripe" color scheme. Today, this line is operated by DRS Rail Services. The line has been cut back to Spaulding Avenue by west 31 Street, and the portion shown here is now abandoned.

A speeding Chicago bound Amtrak train from Milwaukee Wisconsin. The Metra Forest Glen commuter rail depot. Chicago Illinois USA. March 2007.

I captured this image of an Amtrak train speeding to Chicago Union Station, at the Metra Forest Glen commuter rail depot on north Elston Avenue. This little flagstop depot, is located on Chicago's far northwest side near west Foster and south Cicero Avenues. I had just finished taking an order for a convenience store down the street, and decided to stop in and visit the commuter rail station. What timing! I was no sooner up there, and heard the distant tooting of an Amtrak trains airhorns. Soon the headlight was in view shining brightly and gaining on the depot. I quickly snapped this high speed photo from the northbound platform. The locomotive on the head end, is actually a "Former" locomotive. This is a late 1970's vintage EMD F-40PH passenger diesel, still in the early 1980's Amtrak "Phase 3" color scheme . The locomotive was recently converted into a baggage control cab car. The locomotive controls were retained, but the carbody was gutted and made into a baggage car with a control cab. Pushing the train to Chicago on the rear end , is a General Electric P-42 Genesis Series passenger diesel locomotive.

Eastbound Union Pacific Railroad unit coal train. Bellwood Illinois USA. March 2007.

An eastbound Union Pacific Railroad unit coal train, is seen speeding to Chicago Illinois on

the former Chicago & NorthWestern west line.

This photo was taken just east of the Manheim Road -U.S Route # 12 / # 45 overpass bridge

in the suburban village of Bellwood Illinois USA. Just beyond the grassy hill in the background, is the Union Pacific Proviso Yard near Maywood Illinois. This is a very busy train location.

Have Your cameras and video recorders handy.

Steam crane demonstration. The Illinois Railway Museum's September 1982 Members weekend. Union Illinois USA.

I recently found this old early 1980's photo, that I had taken in September of 1982 at the Illinois Railway Museum. The museum decided to fire up their steam powered "Big Hook". and perform a lifting demonstration for the visiting public. The big steam powered railroad crane, is seen lifting a recently acquired 0-4-0 Fireless industrial steam locomotive. I took this photo looking southwest toward the end of the museums operating day.
Today, a simulair fireless 0-4-0 retired steam locomotive can be seen at the Tinley Park Illinois USA Metra commuter rail station, located on south Oak Park Avenue.

The Riverside Illinois Metra commuter rail station. September 2006.

I took this photo after work one evening in September of 2006. We are looking west at the south platform of the Riverside Illinois train station. A very heavy and torrential thunderstorm was approaching from the northwest. Soon the sky would turn dark gray, and the entire Chicagoland area would get a huge downpour with flooding conditions in some areas. There would be an abundant supply of thunder, lightning, heavy downpours, and severe thunderstorm warnings issued on TV by the National Weather Service that night. Ka-Booom!

Afterwork railfanning at Hayford Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. March 2007.

I took this photo one day after work, in March of 2007. I had just arrived at Hayford Junction, wich is located at west 75th Street and south Central Park Avenue in Chicago's Ashburn neighborhood. I am not sure as to what railroad this transfer train belongs to, or even what kind of locomotives were on the head end. I may have showed up just in time to capture the last cars heading to the Belt Railway of Chicago's Clearing Yard, but it was still a nice picture to take at the end of My very busy work day. It was a lovely early spring evening to go on location with a camera in hand.

The Kiddieland train station. Kiddieland Amusement Park. Melrose Park Illinois USA. November 2006.

Hello everyone!
Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page.
I took this photo one bright and sunny November morning in 2006. This is the Kiddieland Amusement Park in northwest suburban Melrose Park Illinois USA. I took this photo from the south parking lot adjacent to the Kiddieland Railroad station. The 14 inch guage Kiddieland Railroad boards and detrains passengers under this pavilion shelter that is surrounded by chain link fencing. The circulair building with the garage doors to the right houses the parks merry go round or carousel ride. The park had just closed for the season approximately 2 weeks before, and the rides were already disasembled and in storage for the upcoming 2007 season.
Behind the fence were several carpenters and maintenace workers painting and doing various maintenance and spot repair jobs on the park property prior to winters arrival. This is a nice behind the scenes view of an amusement park at the begining of the off season.

Westbound BNSF Railway intermodal transfer train. Hayford Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. March 2007.

I took this photo after work one day, in late March of 2007. This location is known as Hayford Junction, and it can be found at west 75th Street and south Central Park Avenue in Chicago's Ashburn neighborhood on the southwest side.
A westbound BNSF intermodal transfer train, is about to pass over the Canadian National Railroad's former Grand Trunk Western crosstracks, enroute to the Belt Railway of Chicago's Clearing Yard. The large factory in the background, is the Nabisco baking company.

Northbound BNSF Railway transfer train.Bridgeview Illinois USA. August 2006.

A northbound BNSF Railway transfer train, is seen just south of the west 87th Street overpass bridge in southwest suburban Bridgeview Illinois USA. This train was stopped at the time, waiting on a hold order on the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad mainline. A light rain was getting ready to fall from the sky at any minute when I took this photo. The first car behind the locomotives, is a 50 foot plug door boxcar for a compny known as WFE -Western Fruit Express.

January winter morning sunrise.Mc.Cook Illinois USA.

I took this morning sunrise photo looking south from Mc.Cook Junction near Lyons Illinois USA.
We are looking southeast toward Summit Illinois, on the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad trackage.
It was bitterly cold, but the winter morning sky was nothing less than spectaculair that day.

Westbound UPS trailer train. Mc. Cook Junction. Mc.Cook Illinois USA. January 2007.

Seen here racing westbound on the BNSF Railway's ex A,T & S, F mainline, is a priority United Parcel Service intermodal trailer train. The train is speeding westbound, and the trains wheels are loudly clanging across the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad crosstracks at Mc.Cook Junction, near Lyons Illinois USA.

Old black and white steam locomotive photograph, circa late 1800's.

I bought a small set of old black and white railroad photographs back in the 1980's.
This photograph looks like it could be a pre
1900 era photo. The locomotive is a 4-4 -0
standard American type steam locomotive.
Judging by the larger superstructural proportions, box headlight -air brakes -and wooden open platform coach in tow...This photo could have been taken in the late 1890's.
The initials on the locomotive tender H, & B,T M
is for the Huntington,& Broad Top Mountain Railroad wich had operated in the state of Pennsylvania. If anyone has any information on this Railroad, or the late 1800's model 4-4-0
steam locomotive shown here, it would be greatly appreciated here. Thank You.
Eddie.

A rainy afternoon in Elmwood Park Illinois USA. Saturday, March 31st 2007.

I took this photo from the Walgreens parking lot at Diversey and Harlem Avenues. The afternoon started out warm and sunny, but in less than an hour, heavy torrential rains were falling in suburban Elmwoood Park Illinois, and most of the greater Chicagoland area. Springtime in Chicago...gotta love it.

Two train meet on the Belt Railway of Chicago trackage. Hawthorne Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. April 2007.

A very long and heavy Norfolk Southern Railroad transfer train, is getting ready to pass a northbound Canadian Pacific train thats waiting on a hold order, at Chicago's Hawthorne Junction near Cicero Illinois.

Canadian National RR switching local. Chicago Illinois USA. April 2007.

I took this photo yesterday after work near Hawthorne Junction. Two second hand diesel locomotives acquired through recent mergers, are seen kicking tank cars west of Crawford Yard. This is near west 33rd Street and south Kostner Avenue, on Chicago's near southwest side. The two diesels are from the former Grand Trunk Western, and the Illinois Central Railroad respectively.

Springtime waves on Chicago's lakeshore. Hartigan Beach Park on west Albion Street. Chicago Illinois USA. March 2007.

Hello everyone!
Welcome to Eddie's Railfan Page from Chicago.
Before we go trackside today, I thought I would show You this lovely Lake Michigan water seen taken on Chicago's far northside. We are looking east from the beach on west Albion Street, in Chicago's Roger's Park neighborhood near Loyola University. I work in this area servicing many food stores and restaurants, as an outside sales representative for a local soft drink company.
The wind off of the lake, created some "Choppy" and very ocean like wave conditions. The sounds of the waves crashing on shore, and the sounds of nearby Seagulls gave the area a maritime effect.

Nightfall in Berwyn Illinois USA. March 2007.

I took this photo after work last Friday evening. I was running some errands after work, and had to pass the Berwn Metra station on Oak Park Avenue and Windsor Street. Approaching the west end of the station platform at Grove Street, is an eastbound BNSF Railway transfer train, of empty piggyback trailer cars. This train was heading to nearby Clyde Yard in Cicero Illinois.
Notice the abundance of reflective material today. This is an industry safety standard.
Even the road name and cab numbers are reflective.

Orange Indiana Harbor Belt and slug unit. Argo Yard. Summit Illinois USA. March 2007.

I took this photo one morning in March of 2007.
Seen here Idling between switching chores, is a 1966 vintage EMD SW 1500 yard switcher with a slug motor near the yard office on west 63rd Street. The slug motor, does not have a diesel prime mover inside. The unit is a frame and trucks from an older retired / scrapped yard switcher. The electric motors in the trucks are powered via cables from the locomotive. The body above the frame is all steel and concrete for weight. While not fast, they are powerful for heavy yard switching and road transfers. Sometimes they can be found on switching locals.

Canadian National freight train on the interchange at Hawthorne Junction. March 2007.

I took this photo after work one evening in March of 2007. We are looking south from the crosstracks at Hawthorne Junction. A northbound Canadian National freight train, is seen leaving the Belt Railway of Chicago trackage, and heading west on Canadian National -ex Illinois Central rails. This is either a transfer train heading to Hawthorne Yard in Cicero Illinois, or a mainline unit grain train heading for points west on the former, Illinois Central Iowa Division mainline.

Inbound CTA Blue line rapid transit train. Chicago Illinois USA. November 2006.

I took this photo from My car, while I was stuck in a major rush hour traffic jam westbound. I am not sure what station this is, more than likely it's Addison Street. I was stuck in one place for a lenghty period of 10 minutes, when the Chicago Transit Authority dispatched several trains on the blue line. The trains moved, but the vechicle traffic didn't. I was in the Express lanes mind You. Yes, the 1-90 Kennedy Expressway is notorious for congestion at rush hour.

Westbound Union Pacific Railroad empty unit coal train. River Forest Illinois USA. November 2006.

I took this photo on a foggy morning in November of 2006. We are at the Metra River Forest Illinois commuter rail depot. A westbound Union Pacific RR empty unit coal train is seen leaving Chicago, and headed west to the strip mines, in the state of Wyoming. Loaded unit coal trains that enter Chicago and other midwestern citties, usually originate at the various strip mines in Wyomings powder river basin. For Chicago, it's loads in and empties out in regards to unit coal train traffic. These trains are generally for large power generating plants.