Now arriving at Chicago Midway Airport.

Helo everyone!
Welcome to the "2007, End Of The Year" Edition of Eddie's Railfan Page. 2007 has been a trully great year of Blog Site Hosting for Myself, and I just want to thank all of You both Railfans, and Non Railfans alike for supporting My page.
Without Your informational input and stories, It just wouldn't be worthwhile hosting.

Here are some photo memorys I would like to share with all of You.

I took this photo looking west on West 55th Street near South Cicero Avenue, in early November of 2007. A commercial jet airliner is coming in for a landing at Chicago's Midway Airport. This place was originally named Chicago Municipal Airport when it had opened during the 1920's, and was later renamed Midway Airport, after the famous 1942 World War Two Pacific battle at Midway island. A U.S victory.

Eastbound Metra commuter local dparting the River Forest Metra station. River Forest Illinois USA. October 2007.

I took this photo one morning in October of 2007. A Chicago bound Metra commuter local is gradually building up speed as it departs the River Forest commuter rail station on Thatcher Avenue.

Westbound Canadian National transfer train. Berwyn Illinois USA. October 2007.

I took this photo one evening in Late October of 2007. A westbound Canadian National ex Illinois Central transfer train has just recieved cearance from the dispatcher, and is approaching the railroad crossing on Riverside Drive near the Berwyn Public Library. A lovely Autum day was coming to an end in the greater Chicagoland area.

This looks more serious than I had thought! The BNSF Railway Corwith Yard overpass bridge at West 47th Street and South Archer Ave. Chicago Illinois.

This is the overpass bridge at the intersection of West 47th Street and South Archer Avenue in Chicago's Brighton Park / Archer Heights neighborhoods. This bridge serves the South Hump of the former Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Corwith Yard, Now BNSF Railway.

In past years, this was an asthetically pleasing Concrete bridge with railings formed from the concrete. As time marched on, Tractor and Trailer Semi trucks became increasingly taller and began hitting the bridge and occasionally getting stuck under it. Chunks of concrete began falling off of the structure from the repeated trailer truck accidents, eventually exposing the steel support deck. In 1987, the old concrete railings were Jackhammered off for good and replaced with a chain link fence seen here. During the early 1990's, the city of Chicago lowered the street below the bridge for better clearance.

This is how the bridge looks today, with evidence of heavy damage and bent steel beams caused from many years of truck trailer Mis Haps.

This bridge may be posing a future safety hazzard at this location now.

Union Pacific EMD MP 15 diesel switcher. The Union Pacific M-19A Diesel Shop. Chicago Illinois USA. October 2007.

I took this photo looking north from West Kinzie Street near North Kilbourn Avenue on the west side of the city of Chicago Illinois. Seen here idling between assignments, is a mid 1970's viontage EMD MP-15 Yard Switcher sitting on one of the ready tracks at the Union Pacific RR M-19A Diesel Shop at 400 North Pulaski Road.

The tracks in the foreground, are the Union Pacific / Metra West line tracks to Elburn Illinois. In previous years, this was the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad.

Former Baltimore & Ohio Railroad wooden caboose on display. Indianapolis Indiana USA. November 2002.

I took this photo while on a business trip with a former traveling Merchandising / Marketing job I used to work for. My Company had sent Myself and a group of Merchandising Reps from Chicago, to service and set up several Kroger's Stores in Indianapolis Indiana back in November of 2002.

I was traveling with a fellow Company associate to a Kroger store in the outlying Indianapolis area, when We had spotted this old wooden caboose from the B & O on display in a little farm town enroute to our afternoon store site.

I do not know as to what town this was photographed in. It looks like it could have been the site of a New and quiete small railroad themed museum with a static display or two. If anybody that is familiar with the Indianapolis area has any information on this display caboose, I would love to hear from You.

Thank You.
Eddie K.

Two former Chicago city streetcars at the Depot Street trolley shelter. The Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois USA. June 2001.

Two former city streetcars from Chicago, are seen on the west end of the demonstratuion trolley loop at the Illinois Railway Museum. The trolley loop encircles the immediate museum display grounds, and is more User Friendly to the museum's fleet of operable antique city streetcars. The museum also has an 8 mile round trip mainline for the steam -Diesel - and Electric Interurban equipment.

The Illinois Railway Museum is a very large museum with plenty of walking to do, and the city streetcars make it easier to get around the immediate museum property. There are 4 trolley station stops on the shuttle route too.

Strasburg Railroad Baldwin 2-10-0 # 90 running around the train at East Strasburg depot. Strasburg Pennsylvania USA. August 1990.

I took this photo on an August 1990 Vacation I had taken in Strasburg Pennsylvania. The last train of the day pulled by Baldwin 2-10-0 # 90, has just pulled into the East Strasburg depot. After the locomotive uncoupled from the passenger train, it pulled ahead about 10 feet, a crewmember threw the manual track switch, and the train shown here is now running around the train. After the steam locmotive runs around the train, it will be put into the engine house for the night.

Seeking shelter on a cold and rainy morning. Brookfield Illinois USA. November 2007.

I took this photo on a cold and rainy morning in November of 2007. An eastbound BNSF Railway freight train passes through the Brookfield Illinois Metra commuter rail station on Prairie and Brookfield Avenues, as a commuter rail passenger waits under the shelter roof untill the next westbound local to Aurora Illinois arrives.
November in the greater Chicagoland area is generally overcast, and more often than not, Rain Soaked.

Southbound Chicago Transit Authority Route # 22 Clark Street bus. Chicago Illinois USA. November 2006.

I took this photo looking north on Clark Street in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. A CTA Route # 22 Clark Street bus, is seen passing the Lincoln Park Market at 2500 North Clark Street on Chicago's northside.

Burlington Northern commuter local arriving at the La Grange Road commuter rail station. La Grange Illinois USA. March 1983.

I took this night photo at the La Grange Road Metra / Amtrak station in downtown La Grange Illinois, on a cold night in early March of 1983.

All was very quiet on that freezing night , and I was experimenting taking Time Exposure Night Photos with My 1st 35MM Camera I had just purchased a couple of weeks before.

Seen here is a slightly blurred Burlington Northern / RTA commuter train slowing down for the station stop at La Grange Road.

Chicago's Washburne Trade School coming down! Chicago Illinois USA. December 2007.

Yes it's true everyone. After many years of being abandoned and forelorn, Washburne Trade School located at 3100 South Kedzie Avenue on Chicago's near southwest side, is finally being demolished. I took this view looking northwest on South Kedzie Avenue at the east side of the building. This is the building that hosted the Amusement Machine Repair Class, and the Body and Fender repair class. The brown building in the background is where the schools Cafeteria was located on the 2nd floor, as well as the Electrical engineering , Vending Machine Repair, the Chefs Program, and the Capentry shop.
The school closed in the late 1980's after several sonsored trade programs decided to vacate the premises. The site is rumored to be redeveloped into a large city park as of this posting. Originally the Liquid Carbonic Company plant, and later Washburne Trade School, this industrial landmark from Chicago's Little Village neighborhood will soon be gone for good.

A scene from a Chicago Railroad Scrapyard. Chicago Illinois USA. Febuary 1986.

Businesses come and go in the city of Chicago Illinois, and most any city in North America nowadays. This scene was photographed in Febuary of 1986 at the site of the former Chesapeke & Ohio Railroad / Pere Marquette ,Rockwell Street Yard on Chicago's southwest side. This privately owned railroad scrapyard operated here for a few years during the mid 1980's. Surplus locomotives and rolling stock met the scrappers torch at this location. We are at approximately West 76th Street and South California Avenue near Chicago's Wrightwood neighborhood. The light colored brick factory building in the background, is the Kool Aid Division of General Mills plant. I worked there through a temporary labor pool employment agency twice in the year of 1985. This plant was located on South California Avenue and west 74th Street in Chicago's Marquette Park neighborhood. They made everything from Kool Aid and Crystal light powdered drink mixes, to Open Pit Barbeque Sauce. Illinois was experiencing Hard Economic Times during this period.

Burlington Northern EMD E-9 locomotives switching on to terminal servicing tracks. Chicago Illinois USA. January 1984.

I took this photo on a January morning in 1984. a quartet of Burlington Northern commuter service EMD E-9 passenger diesel locomotives, are seen being hostled in a terminal switching manuever near South Canal Street just west of the Union Street Interlocking Tower. ( Gone.)

Wintertime at the Fox River Trolley Museum. South Elgin Illinois USA. December 2007.

I took this photo looking west from an adjacent service road that leads to the museum shop building. The greater Chicagoland area was hit with heavy snowstorm activity on December 4th 2007, and on a handfull of other sporadic days in early December. Seen here in the open museum yard in a snowy Illinois landscape from left to right are, a two car set of Chicago Transit Authority 5-50 Series Rapid Transit Cars, a green Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee RR 1920's era interurban coach, and two 1920's era orange heavyweight interurban coaches from the Chicago, South Shore & South Bend Railroad.

Winter Sunset at the Stone Avenue station. La Grange Illinois USA. January 1987.

I took this photo while railfanning the Burlington Northern Railroad in west suburban La Grange Illinois. It was a lenghty and quiet period without any mainline train activity on this late Sunday afternoon in January of 1987, but the setting Winter sun, clear skies and silhouettes captured the magic of this quiet and reflective mood. This view was taken from the south platform looking northwest toward the intersection of Hillgrove and Brainard Avenues. The Telephone poles have long since been removed, and several of the businesses along Hillgrove Avenue seen here have long since came and went as well.

Eastbound Canadian Pacific intermodal transfer train. Chicago Illinois USA. December 2006.

The last light of daytime is fading in the city of Chicago Illinois on a December evening in 2006, and soon another Cold Winters Night will be upon the Windy City. An eastbound CP Rail transfer train is slowly creeping past the Hanson Park Metra commuter rail flagstop depot, and is about to pass under the North Central Avenue overpass bridge enroute to nearby Cragin Junction.

The intersection of West 95th Street and South kedzie Avenue. Evergreen Park Illinois USA. Early January 1989.

Happy Holidays everyone!
Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page.

I took this photo in early January of 1989, in the village of south suburban Evergreen Park Illinois.
Another Christmas has came and went in the greater Chicagoland area, and soon this overhead hanging Christmas decoration will soon be taken down and put in storage for the rest of the year.

This very Festive set of Holiday Decorations adorned the intersection of 95th and Kedzie for many years, and looked wonderfull when it was lit up at night. Evergreen Park was one of many of My personal favorite places to visit during the Christmas and Holiday season in the greater Chicagoland area. This view is looking northwest. In the background can be seen the old Police and Fire Station, wich has long since been replaced with new facilities at West 90th Street and South kedzie Avenue.

Wintertime at the Fox River Trolley Museum. South Elgin Illinois USA. December 2007.

I took this winter photo one December afternoon in 2007. The Fox River Trolley Museum located in South Elgin Illinois, is offiicially Closed for the Season and wont be opening untill the Month of May. These two sets of retired Chicago Transit Authority 1950's era Rapid Transit equipment, were photographed in a seasonal Christmas Card like setting. Wintertime is normally the "Off Season"for operating tourist railroads, and during this period, Maintenance, Restorations, and various Repair Projects take place in the shop.

A former Conrail Tri Leval Auto Rack freight car in transit. Mc Cook Illinois USA. January 2007.

I spotted this former pre 1999 Conrail Tri Leval Auto Rack car, moving northbound over the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad at Mc Cook Junction on a Union Pacific transfer train. This car and it's accompanyng train, is more than likely enroute to the Union Pacific's former Chicago & NorthWestern Proviso Yard in Berkeley Illinois.

Two train meet at Hawthorne Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo on a sunny but bitterly cold January morning in 2007. A southbound Canadian Pacific transfer train led by former Soo Line EMD roadswitchers, is now passing over the former Illinois Central Iowa Division Mainline crosstracks at Hawthorne Junction at the Chicago City Limits. The CP Rail train is enroute to the Belt Railway of Chicago Clearing Yard in southwest suburban Bedford Park Illinois.

Westbound Chicago Transit Authority Blue Line train at the Oak Park Avenue station. Oak Park Illinois USA. November 2006.

I took this photo on an early afternoon in November of 2006. The evening rush hour is in it's early stages, as a westbound CTA Blue Line rapid Transit train has just stopped at the Oak Park Avenue station in the median of the Congress I-290 Expressway. The train is nearing the end of its run to the West Terminal on Des Plaines Avenue in Forest Park Illinois.

Westbound Metra commuter local approaching the Elmwood Park station. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. November 2006.

I took this photo looking east from the 73rd Avenue railroad crossing, in near northwest suburban Elmwood Park Illinois. A westbound morning commuter local enroute to Elgin Illinois, is seen slowing down for the upcoming station stop in Elmwood Park. This is on the Canadian Pacific railroad's former Milwaukee Road mainline.

The Funway Roller Rink. Batavia Illinois USA. December 2007.

Happy Holidays everybody!
Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page.
I was passing through Batavia Illinois recently, and stopped to visit a place I haven't visited in 7 years. Located on U.S Route # 25 on the east side of the Fox River, is the Funway Roller Rink and Ultimate Family Recreation Center.

For many years begining in 1980, My Family would periodically visit Funway and take Me for an afternoon of Roller Skating Fun! The Rink and building wasn't opened yet for the day, but the very Nice Manager, and Maintenance crew invited Me to come inside, explore and take pictures of the New and Improved Funway facility, to show everyone on My blog site. Nice!

Since My last visit seven years ago, they have added an indoor Bowling Alley, remodelled the roller rink, and put in a new pinball and video arcade section on the upper leval. Outdoor attractions on the property for Spring and Summer include, Batting Cages, Go Karts, and Bumper Boats. This is a really great place to take Your Family to during those long winter months or anytime for that matter. More informtion can be obtained at www.funwaybatavia.com

Seen in the foreground, is one of the walking model Floor refinishing machines used to maintain the Roller Rinks very smooth Pollyurethane Floor.

Northbound Metra local arriving in Glenview Illinois. November 2007.

I took this photo one bright and sunny afternoon, in late November of 2007. The quiet of an early afternoon in north suburban Glenview Illinois, has just been interupted by the sounds of Railroad Crossing Signals, Air Horns, Bells, and the arrival of a northbound Metra commuter local to Fox Lake Illinois. This view is looking northeast from the west side of Harlem Avenue.

A plastic bag from the museum gift shop. The Hesston Steam Museum. Hesston indiana USA.

I have been on many visits to the Hesston Steam Museum for the past several years. Located in northwest Indiana near the citties of Michigan City Indiana, and New Buffalo Michagin, this is a pleasant Family attraction worth visiting. Aside from their large collection of 2 and 3 foot antique narow guage railroad equipment, there is also a 14" Inch guage miniature railroad, a 7 and 1/2 Inch guage miniature live steram railroad, and a collection of antique steam tractors from the early 1900's.

Even the plastic bags in the museum's Gift Shop are nice.
For more information please check out the museum's
web site adress shown in this photo.
www.hesston.org

Eastbound Union Pacific unit coal train waiting on a hold order. Chicago Illinois USA. November 2006.

I took this photo last year in November of 2006. An eastbound Union Pacific unit coal train waits for clearance to proceed from the Dispatcher, on the Union Pacific Railroads former Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad west Line. The rusty bridge in the foreground, is the Belt Railway of Chicago line that travels north and south between Clearing Yard in Bedford Park Illinois, and Cragin Junction on Chicago's northside at Grand and Cicero Avenues. The building to the right, is the abandoned and decaying former Brachs Candy Factory. The former parking deck garage on the west side of the building, was blown up with explosives for a scene in an upcoming Batman movie coming to a Theatre near You in 2008. This view is looking west from West Kinzie street and North Kenton Avenue on Chicago's westside.

Old Milwaukee Road logo. Franklin Park Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo in downtown Franklin Park Illinois back in January of 2007. This Milwaukee Road herald placard, is on the side of an old 1920's era steel cupola caboose on display adjacent to the preserved historic tower B-12.

Eastbound Canadian Pacific transfer train. Franklin Park Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo on a very windy and bitterly cold January morning in 2007. An eastbound Canadian Pacific transfer train has just left the CP Rail ex Milwaukee Road Bensenville Yard, and is approaching the railroad crossing on 25th Avenue in downtown Franklin Park Illinois.

Northbound Canadian Pacific transfer train with former Soo Line diesel locomotives. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo on North Kilbourn Avenue just south of the West Chicago Avenue viaduct. A northbound Canadian Pacific transfer freight train is slowing down as it approaches Cragin Junction approximately one mile north of this location at Grand and Cicero Avenues. This train is traveling northbound over the Belt Railway of Chicago trackage. Cragin Junction is the north terminal for the Belt Railway of Chicago, and the interchange with the Canadian Pacific former Milwaukee Road mainline.

Christmastime at Daley Plaza. Chicago Illinois USA. Late November 2007.

I took this photo one night in late November of 2007. This is an annual scene experienced in downtown Chicago during the Holiday Season.
Chicago's Daley Plaza Christmas tree and the adjoining Kriss Kringle Market, had just been set up less than a week before I had taken this holiday image. In the foreground is the elaborate Santa Clause house, where all the little Children can tell Santa Clause what they want for Christmas this year. Christmas will be upon the Windy City soon again.

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

I took this photo on a bitterly cold and windy Chicago winter morning, in January of 2007. A northbound Iowa, Chicago & Eastern transfer train has just left the Belt Railway of Chicago Clearing Yard in Bedford Park Illinois, and is now northbound to the former Milwaukee Road Cragin Junction at Grand and Cicero Avenues on Chicago's northside. From there it will proceed west enroute to Savanna Illinois. The train is approaching the crosstracks at Hawthorne Junction at the Chicago City Limits near Cicero.

Wintertime at the Fox River Trolley Museum. South Elgin Illinois USA. December 2007.

Icecycles gather on the trucks and access ladders on a retired 1959 Chicago Transit Authority 5-50 Series Rapid Transit car. The 5-50 Series cars were built in 1959 by the St.Louis Car Company from scrapped CTA PCC Streatcar electrical components. The 5-50 series cars were Double Ended, and could be run as a single unit, unlike the permanently coupled Married Pair 6000 Series rapid transit cars and later models. These cars were originally used on the CTA Evanston Line, now known today as the Purple Line. In this photo can be seen the various details on the cars trucks including the 3rd Rail Shoes.

Northbound Canadian National transfer train. Hawthorne Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo looking west toward the Belt Railway of Chicago / Canadian National ex Illinois Central crosstracks at Hawthorne Junction. A lenghty northbound Canadian National Railroad transfer train is passing over the former Illinois Central Iowa Division Mainline crosstracks at Hawthorne Junction, with some lenghty tank cars in tow. The steel shed behind the chain link fence, was the site of the old brick interlocking tower that stood here prior to 1990. The hill in the background to the right, is the site of the long abandoned and soon to be redeveloped Bel Air Drive In Movie Theatre, The last one in the city of Chicago. Hawthorne Junction is located at the Chicago city limits, just east of the west suburban village of Cicero Illinois. A very busy junction.

A former Illinois Central locomotive on a southbound Canadian National transfer train. La Grange Park Illinois USA. November 2007.

I took this photo on a rainy November morning in 2007. Seen here passing through La Grange Park Illinois over the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad, is a former Illinois Central EMD Roadswitcher acquired by the CN through merger in the year of 1999. This train is approaching the railroad crossing on 31st Street, and will tie up traffic for a lenghty period of time.

Over and under near South Lawndale Avenue and West 49th Street. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this unique photo on a bitterly cold and windy morning, in late January of 2007. On the bridge above is a westbound Chicago Transit Authority Orange Line rapid transit train enroute to Chicago's Midway Airport, while down below is a BNSF Railway locomotive waiting for clearance to depart the former Atchinson, Topeka & santa Fe Corwith Yard with a one car special transfer train movement. This view is looking northeast from South Lawndale Avenue near West 49th Street on Chicago's southwest side.

January 2007 Chicagoland Gasoline Prices.

I do not recall where the location is that I had taken this night photograph at. It is interesting to compare how gasoline prices were like nearly a year ago. Local summertime gasoline prices where well over 3 dollars a gallon in many locations in the greater Chicagoland area, but in January, the prices had temporarilly came down in a very nice way for people like Myself and a few others who depend on their car usage daily.

A former Milwaukee Road mid 1970's vintage EMD MP 15DC switcher at work. CP Rail Bensenville Yard. Bensenville Illinois USA. January 2007.

A former Milwaukee Road EMD MP-15DC switcher, is seen working the Car Shop leads at the Canadian Pacific Bensenville Yard near Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. Prior to the 1985 Merger and Buyout via the Soo Line Railroad, Bensenville Yard was a very busy facility for the bankrupt Milwaukee Road. In 1990, the Canadian Pacific merged and bought out the Soo Line. Fast foreward 22 years later, and this EMD switcher in faded Milwaukee Road colors and markings is still working in Bensenville Yard in 2007.

Maintenance goes on around the Clock, and around the Calender. A Chicago area Metra crew working. Febuary 2007.

I took this photo at the Metra Grand / Cicero commuter rail station in Febuary of 2007.
Maintenance details and assignments are practically never ending for the crews who maintain Metra's commuter rail infrastructure.
This is one of the many styles of utility trucks used by the crews of Metra on any given day.

Westbound Canadian National freight train waiting on a hold order. Berwyn Illinois USA. December 2007.

I took this photo from the parking lot along the east side of Riverside Drive near South Harlem Avenue in west suburban Berwyn Illinois. A westbound CN transfer train sits just east of the railroad crossing on Riverside Drive on a snowy day in early December of 2007.

Wintertime at the Fox River Trolley Museum. South Elgin Illinois USA. December 2007.

I took this photo one afternoon in December of 2007. Seen here staged next to one of the museums High Leval loading platforms from left to right, are a former Illinois Central side door caboose in the pre 1967 red with white letters color scheme, a 1940's era Whitcomb diesel switcher from the Warren & Saline River Railroad ( Arkansas), and a 1920's era electric interurban coach from the Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee Railroad.

A former Conrail boxcar in transit. Franklin Park Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photograph on an overcast January day in 2007. Seen here traveling eastbound on a Canadian Pacific transfer train, is an outside braced Hi Cube boxcar from the railroad formerly known as Conrail. Conrail was formed in the year of 1976, and was a goverment creation involving the mergers of the very bankrupt
Pen Central, Lehigh Valley, Reading, and a few other east coast railroads. The Norfolk Southern and the CSX Transportation Company railroads bought out Conrail through a merger in 1999.

DRS Rail Services EMD Switcher returning to the engine storage yard. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo on an overcast January morning in 2007. A rebuilt 1st Generation ( 1950's era) EMD SW series yard switcher working for DRS Rail Services, is seen returning from the mornings industrial switching local assignment. This scene was photographed on West 22nd Street / Cermak Road just east of South Ashland Avenue in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood. The locomotive is returning to the makeshift engine storage yard at Cermak Road and Canalport Street behind a padlocked chain link fence.

Eastbound Metra commuter local arriving at the Norwood Park commuter rail station. Chicago Illinois USA. November 2007.

I took this photo on a bright and sunny day in late November of 2007. An inbound Metra commuter local, is seen arriving at the former Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad station in the Norwood Park community on Chicago's far northwest side. This is on the Metra / Union Pacific Northwest line to Harvard Illinois.

Inbound Metra commuter local. The Forest Glen commuter flagstop depot. Chicago Illinois USA. November 2006.

I took this photo one afternoon in November of 2006. An inbound Metra commuter rail local from Fox Lake Illinois enroute to Chicago Union Station, is boarding passengers at the Metra Forest Glen flagstop depot on Chicago's northwest side on Elston Avenue near Foster. Christmas was one Month away, and the people at Coca Cola already have a Seasonal Holiday bilboard with images of Penguins and polar Bears enjoying a Coca Cola together.

Mr Shrimp seafood takeout stand at West 63rd Street and South Harlem Avenue. December 1985.

Happy Holidays everybody!
Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page.
I took this night photo on the southeast corner of West 63rd Street and South Harlem Avenue way back in December of 1985. Mr Shrimp, is still in business today at this location. This is how it looked like 22 years ago with old 1950's and 60's era Coca Cola signs. This is a landmark in Chicago's Clearing neighborhood at the City Limits near Summit and Bedford Park Illinois.

Westbound speeding Metra Express commuter train kicking up snowdust. Chicago Illinois USA. December 1st 2006.

I took this photo on the morning of the December 1st 2006 Chicagoland Snowstorm that blanketed the greater Chicagoland area with heavy snow accululations and severe low visibillity conditions.
Seen here is a speeding westbound Metra express commuter train racing past the Hanson Park commuter flagstop depot near Central and Grand Avenues during a heavy period of snowfall, with much blowing and drifting activity.

Wintertime at the Fox River Trolley Museum. South Elgin Illinois USA. December 2007.

I took this winter scene photograph at the Fox River Trolley Museum located in South Elgin Illinois. Although the museum is closed for the season, I was able to take these lovely winter scenes from outside of the museum perimeter in a Safe and Responsible manner. Seen here looking west from the shop area, are two rolling veterans who were no stranger to Chicago's Elevated Rapid Transit Lines. The silver and red car in the foreground, is a 1920's era interurban coach from the famous electric railroad known as The Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee Railroad. This line travelled at high speed between Chicago Illinois and Milwaukee Wisconsin, utilizing the CTA Elevated line into downtown Chicago. This car was rebuilt and modernized in 1950, into the Silverliner color scheme shown here. These cars were thought to have fluted streamlined siding panels below the windows, but it was actually painted on for low cost Illusion. The car in the background, is a 1945 built 3 unit Articulated Rapid Transit train originally built for the Chicago Rapid Transit Company. After the November 1947 merger that created todays CTA System, these cars were repainted and operated in CTA Service untill 1986. Their most famous regular assignment was in Skokie Swift Service, now known today as the CTA Yellow Line.

Westbound Metra commuter local arriving at the Western Avenue station. Chicago Illinois USA. December 2006.

I took this photo on a sunny December day in 2006. A westbound Metra commuter local to Elgin Illinois, is seen arriving at the Metra Western Avenue comuter rail station near West Hubbard Street on Chicago's near northside.

Westbound Burlington Northern / Metra commuter rail local approaching the Stone Avenue Station. La Grange Illinois USA. Febuary 1986.

I took this photo on a pleasant winter afternoon way back in Febuary of 1986. Seen here during the early stages of the afternoon and evening rush hour, is a westbound Burlington Northern commuter train enroute to Aurora illinois. The train is an all stops local slowing down for the upcoming station stop at the Stone Avenue Station in west suburban La Grange Illinois. Notice the Burlington Northern side panel with the BN logo on the side of the commuter coach. Within a year or less, they would be replaced by Metra side name panels.