Northbound Metra commuter local. Highland Park Illinois USA. January 2009.

I took this photo looking south, in downtown north suburban Highland Park Illinois. A northbound Metra commuter local, is seen departing the nearby Highland Park Illinois, Metra commuter rail station just before sunset. It was a very cold and windy January day in 2009.

Digital Live Sound Video: Eastbound BNSF Railway freight train. La Grange Illinois USA. December 2008.

I took photographed this video in west suburban La Grange Illinois, on a cold night in December of 2008. An eastbound BNSF Railway freight train, is seen passing the railroad crossing at Ashland and Burlington Avenues around 11:00Pm on a cold December night.

Southbound BNSF Railway unit coal train waiting for clearance at Brighton Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo on an overcast and bitterly cold winter morning, back in January of 2007. Seen here on an elevated embankment just west of the intersection of South Archer and Western Avenues, is a BNSF Railway unit coal train waiting for clearance at the then still manually operated Brighton Junction. The train was on a hold order, waiting for an eastbound Amtrak regional train from St.Louis Missouri to pass through the crosstracks enroute to Chicago Union Station.

Wintertime at the Highland Park, Metra commuter rail station. Highland Park Illinois USA. January 2009.

I took this photo in north suburban Highland Park Illinois, in January of 2009. This commuter rail depot, is located on the Metra / Union Pacific "North Line" to Kenosha Wisconsin. Prior to 1998, this railroad line was owned and operated by the now fallen flag railroad Chicago & NorthWestern. Highland Park is an upscale suburb, located along the north shore area of Lake Michigan.

Wintertime in the Greater Chicagoland Area. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. January 2009.

Hello everyone!
welcome aboard another edition of Eddie's Railfan Page.
Chicago's winter of 2009 has been a very cold and snowy one so far.
Although it is true that the Greater Chicagoland Area has so far seen
single digit outdoor temperatures and plenty of Lake Effect snowstorms,
it has also experienced some cold days featuring plenty of radiant sunshine.

I took this photo one morning in near northwest suburban Elmwood Park Illinois.
Seen here in a local landmark roadway known as the Conti Parkway Circle, we find
an old 1940's World War Two era U.S Army Military Cannon on display on the
west side of the Elmwood Park Family Acquatic Center. The circular and very
parklike Conti Parkway Circle, is quiete scenic any time of the year.

Digital Live Sound Video: A southbound Metra commuter local enroute to the Glenview, Metra commuter rail station. Glenview Illinois USA. Dec 2008.

I photographed this video one Saturday afternoon, in December of 2008. We are looking west from Johns Drive in north suburban Glenview Illinois. With fresh snow on the ground, a southbound Metra commuter local has just departed the nearby Glen of North Glenview commuter rail station, and is now heading to the next scheduled stop at the Glenview, Metra commuter rail station on Lehigh Avenue near Glenview Road.

Eastbound Metra morning commuter local. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this unique Winter sunrise railfan photo on My way to work one morning, in January of 2007. An eastbound Metra rush hour, all stops commuter local is seen heading in to the Winter morning sunrise in near northwest suburban Elmwood Park Illinois. The train has just departed the Elmwood Park station, and is now proceeding to the nearby Mont Clare station inside Chicago city limits, east of North Harlem Avenue.

Eastbound Union Pacific unit coal train. Chicago Illinois USA. December 2006.

I took this photo looking west alongside West Kinzie Street near South Pulaski Road in the city of Chicago Illinois. Seen here, is an eastbound Union Pacific Railroad unit coal train, entering in to the city of Chicago Illinois over the trackage of the pre 1998 predecessor railroad Chicago & NorthWestern.

Southbound CTA Yellow line / Skokie Swift train crossing Main Street. Skokie Illinois USA. April 2007.

With all of the bitterly cold single digit temperatures the Greater Chicagoland Area has experienced so far in January of 2009, I thought that I should post this little seasonal "Pleasant Reminder" photo of a Springtime scene coming soon to Chicagoland.

I took this photo on a very sunny and pleasant Springtime afternoon in April of 2007. Seen here during lightweight jacket season with mild temperatures, is a southbound Chicago Transit Authority, Yellow line / Skokie Swift rapid transit train at the Main Street railroad crossing in north suburban Skokie Illinois.

Wintertime at the Metra, Galewood commuter flagstop depot. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2009.

I took this photo on a very cold and somewhat windy January morning in 2009. The good thing I can say about it though, is that there was plenty of radiant sunshine.
This is the Metra, Galewood commuter rail station located on North Narragansett Avenue. This flagstop depot used for all stops commuter locals, serves trains on the Metra / Canadian Pacific ex Milwaukee Road commuter mainline to Elgin Illinois.

A Winter sunset on West Cermak Road. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2009.

I took this photo of a spectacular Chicago winter sunset one evening in January of 2009. We are looking southwest along West Cermak Road, in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood. The light of day is fading and the temperatures are falling as night is approaching the Windy city. In the background We see the tall smokestack of the old Commonwealth Edison Throop Street Electrical Generating Plant.

Eastbound Canadian National train waiting during a winter sunset. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2009.

I took this photo one late afternoon, in January of 2009. Seen here just south of downtown Chicago Illinois, is an eastbound Canadian National freight train idling on top of the railroad viaducts that span South Canal Street, and West Cermak Road. This train was waiting on a hold order, on the tracks of the predecessor railroad Illinois Central. The Winter sunlight was setting on another Chicago winter day.

Commuter coach details between the cars. River Grove Illinois USA. January 2009.

I took this photo on a bitterly cold, but very brightly sunlit morning in January of 2009. Seen here at the River Grove, Metra commuter rail station...is an eastbound all stops local commuter train enroute to Chicago Union Station.

In this unique behind the scenes photo taken between the coupled cars, we see the Diaphragms , Couplers, Airbrake Hoses, and Electrical Cables used in daily and safe operation of Chicago's Metra commuter trains.

Eastbound Chicago Transit Authority, Blue line train. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2009.

Chicago's winter of January 2009 so far, has yielded plenty of bitterly cold single digit outdoor temperatures. At the same time....The Greater Chicagoland Area has also seen a decent number of days with radient sunshine despite the bitter cold and occasional Lake effect snowstorms.

I took this photo one late morning in January of 2007, looking east from on top of the Canfield Road overpass bridge. This bridge spans over the busy Illinois US Route # I-90 Kennedy Expressway at the Chicago city limits near Park Ridge Illinois. An eastbound CTA Blue line train heads toward downtown Chicago Illinois, after departing the nearby terminal at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.

Canadian Pacific locomotives idling in the cold. Schiller Park Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo one bitterly cold winter morning, in January of 2007. These two
Canadian Pacific locomotives, are seen idling in outside temperatures of 5 degrees
above zero Farenheight, in the Canadian National ex Wisconsin Central yard located
in northwest suburban Schiller Park Illinois. At least We had bright sunshine if anything that day.

The old Maurice Lenell cookie factory and store. Norridge Illinois USA. Friday, January 2nd, 2009.

I took this somewhat sad looking photo on Friday morning, January 2nd, 2009. The Maurice Lenell cookie factory and store located at 4474 North Harlem Avenue in northwest suburban Norridge Illinois, was a favorite amongst local Chicago area residents.

The last day of operation for this facility was Tuesday morning, December 30th, 2008. It was rumored to be only opened for a half a day on this date, and soon closed it's doors for good. The building to the immdiate north of the Maurice Lenell site, was the former site of the Axel Roller Rink. My family would spend many a Sunday afternoon skating session at the adjacent Axel Roller Rink, and always made it a point to purchase some delicious cookies from the Maurice Lenell cookie jar store on our many visits.

An era has ended in northwest suburban Norridge Illinois, and it will be greatly missed by all who knew it.

Maurice Lenell cookies has a factory facility in Michigan City Indiana.

A large 4-8-4 mainline steam locomotive in 7 and 1/2" track guage. The Hesston Steam Museum. Hesston Indiana USA. August 2005.

I took this photo on an August 2005 visit to the Hesston Steam Museum in northwest Indiana, wich is now one of My Link Pages to the right of Your computer screen.
www.hesston.org

With a very small track guage of only 7 and 1/2 Inches...This little locomotive is very fast, powerful, and heavy just like it's mainline prototype. It also burns coal and boils water just like the real ones did decades ago. It also makes loud puffing and chuffing under heavy load conditions and throws out cinders from the smokestack as well, just as the prototype did during the steam era.

Honey, I shrunk the train.

Silent Digital Video: Northbound Amtrak Hiawatha train speeding through the Edgebrook commuter rail station. Chicago Illinois USA. September 2007.

I photographed this video with My old digital camera on location, in September of 2007. A northbound Amtral Hiawatha Regional passenger train enroute to Milwaukee Wisconsin, is seen racing through the Metra, Edgebrook commuter flagstop depot on Chicago's far northwest side near Skokie Illinois. This is on the Metra / Canadian Pacific ex Milwaukee Road commuter mainline to Fox Lake Illinois.

Idling at the top of the hump. The BNSF Railway Corwith Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. March 2008.

I took this photo after work one afternoon, in March of 2008. Seen here on Chicago's southwest side in the Brighton Park neighborhood, are two BNSF Railway owned EMD roadswitchers idling at the top of the classification hump near the intersection of West 47th Street and South Archer Avenue. Prior to the 1995 merger that created todays BNSF Railway, this facility was owned and operated by the Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. Notice the blue and yellow locomotive still wearing the colors and some markings of the predecessor railroad Santa Fe.

Westbound Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad transfer train. Franklin Park Illinois USA. September 2006.

I took this photo on an overcast morning in September of 2006. A westbound Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad transfer train of Auto Rack cars, is seen passing through northwest suburban Franklin Park Illinois. This train is enroute to the nearby Canadian Pacific Railroad, Bensenville Yard facility.

Patching potholes on Forest Preserve Drive. Chicago Illinois USA. Monday, January 5th, 2009.

Winter days in the city of Chicago Illinois aren't always bitterly frigid cold, or covered in heavy snow accumulations. I took this photo on My way to work one morning on Monday, January 5th, 2009

A very hard working and dedicated city work crew, from the City of Chicago Department of Transportation, are seen patching numerous potholes on the eastbound lanes of Forest Preserve Drive. We are looking just east of the intersection of North Osceola Avenue on Forest Preserve Drive, near the Chicago city limits close to adjacent northwest suburban Norridge Illinois. With calm winds, plenty of sunshine, and outside temperature readings of a very mild ( For January anyway.) 30 Degrees Farenheight, this city crew made the most of this pleasant winter day.

Wintertime at the Metra, River Grove commuter rail station on Thatcher Avenue. River Grove Illinois USA. January 2009.

The Greater Chicagoland Area can be a beautiful Winter Wonderland when it wants to be. I took this winter photo under brillainat and very radiant sunshine, one late morning in January of 2009. This is the Metra commuter rail station in northwest suburban River Grove Illinois. Located adjacent to Thatcher Avenue, between Grand and Belmont Avenues.

Westbound Metra Hi Rail maintenance truck. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. January 2009.

I took this photo one snowy winter morning in January of 2009, at the Metra, Elmwood Park commuter rail station. This maintenance supervisor is seen driving his Hi Rail equipped truck westbound, toward the Grand Avenue railroad crossing and beyond.

Twilight time at the Central Illinois Railroad headquarters. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2009.

I took this photo just after sunset one evening in January of 2009. We are looking through the chain link fencing surrounding the property of the Central Illinois Railroad, located at 918 West Cermak Road in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood. The portable spotlights havn't turned on yet, but I still had just enough natural lighting left to capture this cold winter twilight image. Another example of Chicago winter railroading.

Wintertime in Chicago's Edison Park neighborhood. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

With bitterly cold single digit outdoor temperatures and plenty of radient sunshine to spare, I decided to take this photo one Winter morning in January of 2007. This photo was taken in Chicago's Edison Park neighborhood community, on Chicago's far northwest side. This is a very pleasant and upscale outpost community, located at the Chicago city limits near Park Ridge Illinois. In a couple of Months or so, this empty playground would soon ring with the sounds of laughing Children playing.

Northbound Amtrak Hiawatha train speeding past the Metra, Northbrook commuter rail station. Northbrook Illinois USA. September 2008.

I took this photo on an overcast quiet Sunday morning, in September of 2008. A northbound Amtrak Hiawatha regional passenger train enroute to Milwaukee Wisconsin, is seen speeding through north suburban Northbrook Illinois. On the rear of the train, we see an Amtrak late 1970's era EMD model F-40PH passenger locomotive. This locomotive is painted in the colors and markings of the Amtrak Cascades Talgo regional passenger train that operates in Washington State, up in the Pacific Northwest region of North America.

A Belt Railway of Chicago EMD switcher spotting cars at Clearing Yard. Bedford Park Ilinois USA. March 2008.

I took this photo after work one day, in March of 2008. A Belt Railway of Chicago EMD yard switcher locomotive # 538, is seen near the north entrance to Clearing Yard on South Central Avenue. The locomotive is seen at work, spotting cars on the sidings along the industrial bypass branchline, wich runs along the northside of the Clearing Yard property. Notice the lack of a locomotive bell on top of the hood. The Belt Railway of Chicago utilizes "Electronic" locomotive bells, wich sound just a little bit "tinny", but do the job fine just as well.

Northbound BNSF Railway transfer train entering the IHB Argo Yard. Summit Illinois USA. June 2007.

I took this photo one Summer morning in June of 2007. A BNSF Railway transfer train of empty intermodal cars, is seen entering the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad, Argo Yard in southwest suburban Summit Illinois. The train is passing over South Archer Road AKA Illinois U.S Route # 171.

Westbound Burlington Northern Railroad commuter local. La Grange Illinois USA. Febuary 1985.

I took this photo one overcast Winter afternoon, way back in Febuary of 1985. A westbound Burlington Northern ( Early Metra) all stops local commuter train enroute to Aurora Illinois, is seen arriving at the La Grange Road train station in downtown west suburban La Grange Illinois. Those lineside telephone poles are now long gone.
The rebuilt 1953 vintage EMD model E-9 passenger locomotives in the 9900 series, worked commuter trains on this line until retirement in September of 1992.

The old Santa Fe ex Crane Plumbing Supply tower and building. ( Gone.) Chicago Illinois USA. October 1988.

I took this photo looking west on West 41st Street in Chicago's Brighton Park neighborhood. Seen here in October of 1988, is the former Crane Plumbing Supply building and tower. I believe it was during the late 1970's that the adjacent Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad bought this building for use in expanding their Corwith Yard / Checkpoint Chico, piggyback and intermodal operations on the property. I believe that this building was demolished around July of 1993.. For many years, it was a Brighton Park neighborhood landmark on Chicago's southwest side.

Digital Live Sound Video: Eastbound CTA Skokie Swift train at the Kostner Avenue railroad crossing. Skokie Illinois USA. August 2008.

I photographed this action video in north suburban Skokie Illinois. A Chicago Transit Authority Yellow line / Skokie Swift rapid transit train, is seen speeding past the Kostner Avenue railroad crossing on a hot sumer afternoon in August of 2008.

The CTA Green Line rapid transit yard in Forest Park Illinois. March 17th, 1985.

I took this photo on a chartered fantrip that was sponsored by the Illinois Railway Museum. This chartered excursion train of 1950's era Chicago Transit Authority 6000 series and 5-50 series rapid transit cars, was named " The Snowflake Special". Our all day excursion visited all of the CTA rapid transit elevated and subway lines, except for the Skokie Swift. Here we are entering the CTA Forest Park yard, just west of the Harlem Avenue station at the neighboring border towns of west suburban Oak Park, and Forest Park Illinois.

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

I took this photo on a snowy December afternoon in 2007. We are in the east parking lot of the Berwyn Public Library on Riverside Drive. A westbound Canadian National freight train is seen idling on the former Illinois Central Railroad's Iowa Division Mainline.

Digital Live Sound Video: Two BNSF Railway intermodal trains meet. Brookfield Illinois USA. July 2008.

I photographed this video around twilight one evening in July of 2008.
Seen here are two BNSF Railway intermodal container trains, passing
each other, at the Prairie Avenue railroad crossing, in west suburban
Brookfield Illinois.

Southbound Canadian Pacific transfer train crossing South Archer Avenue. Chicago Illinois USA. June 2008.

I took this photo after work one hot summer afternoon in June of 2008. A Canadian Pacific heavy transfer freight train, is seen crossing South Archer Avenue on the Belt Railway of Chicago tracks east of South Knox Avenue. This location is just northeast of Chicago's Midway Airport.

The Grand Trunk Western Railroad's Elsdon Yard locomotive terminal. ( Gone.) Chicago Illinois USA. October 1983.

This now rare Chicago railfan photo, dates back to My early days as a local Chicago railfan photographer back in the year of 1983.

We are looking southeast from the GTW Elsdon Yard railroad embankment just south of West 48th Place, and just a few blocks west of South Kedzie Avenue. Rumors were circulating amongst the local Chicago southside railfan community, that the GTW was going to be closing Elsdon Yard very soon. Unfortunately....The rumors were true.
I just happen to be lucky one sunny afternoon in October of 1983, when I visited the Elsdon Yard and locomotive roundhouse during it's last week of any operation. Sitting here on the locomotive ready tracks just west of the 1914 built steam era roundhouse, are several GTW EMD roadswitchers idling in the Indian Summer sunshine.

One week later, this facility would be abandoned and resemble a ghost town.
I am so glad I photographed this image when I had the chance before it was
much too late.

Eastbound Metra commuter local. River Grove Illinois USA. October 2006.

One local Chicago area commuter rail station that has seen a few different exterior paint jobs within the last few years, is the Metra commuter train station in near northwest suburban River Grove Illinois. Seen here on a lovely Autum morning in October of 2006, is an eastbound Metra commuter local enroute to Chicago Union Station.

Back in 2006, the River Grove station was painted in a light Tan color scheme. The following year, the section just below the roof was painted in a light green with White "River Grove" letters. In the fall of 2007, it was once again repainted in to a Dark Green below the roof with gold "River Grove" letters.

Southbound BNSF Railway unit coal train. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo on a very windy and cold overcast Winter morning, in January of 2007. I spotted this BNSF Railway, southbound unit coal train, just north of the crosstracks at Chicago's Brighton Junction. The train was waiting on a hold order, as an eastbound Amtrak regional passenger train enroute to Chicago from St.Louis Missouri, was to have the right of way at the crosstracks. I froze to take this photo that morning.....but it was definately worth the effort.

Eastbound CTA Orange line rapid transit train. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo on a cold and windy January morning in the year of 2007.
I was passing through the area of South Lawndale Avenue and West 49th Street, and decided to stop and take some photos of the Chicago Transit Authority's Orange line rapid transit to Chicago's Midway Airport. Prior to December of 1988, the embankment wich is todays CTA Orange line, was the very flat landed Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad "Stockyards" industrial branchline. The large brown building in the background, is Curie High School. I attended Curie High School, ( And railfanned behind the property) from 1977 to 1981.
The CTA Orange line train has just departed from the South Pulaski Road station, and is now enroute to downtown Chicago Illinois.

It was great seeing one of My old railfan haunts again.

Former Illinois Central locomotives on the head end of a CN freight train. Crawford Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. June 2007.

Half the fun of being a local Chicago area railfan photographer, is occasionally being in the right place at the right time. ( It does happen sometimes.)

I took this photo after work one hot summer afternoon in June of 2007, at the Canadian National Railroad's former Illinois Central Railroad, Crawford Yard on Chicago's near southwest side. Nearby Hawthorne Junction, just footsteps away from here at the border of west suburban Cicero Illinois, was busy with several north and southbound transfer trains traveling over the Belt Railway of Chicago. Once the crosstracks were clear, the dispatcher would radio the crew of this westbound Canadian National freight train to proceed ahead. This train had EMD heavy duty roadswitchers, stil wearing the colors and markings from the predecessor railroad, Illinois Central. The Illinois Central was absorbed by the Canadian National in a 1999 merger. For a little while anyway....Crawford Yard looked like old times again.

Strasburg Railroad steam locomotive # 90 and vintage train departing Groff's Grove. Strasburg Pennsylvania USA. August 1990.

This has always been one of My personal all time favorite railfan photos I had taken.

I took this photo one hot and hazy August morning in 1990. I was taking a much needed one week vacation in historic Strasburg Pennsylvania. I experimented with a roll of 35MM Black and White film during My vacation to the State of Pennsylvania, and captured this unique vintage looking photo with that distinctive yesterday look from decades ago. Strasburg Railroad Baldwin 2-10-0 steam locomotive # 90 and it's train of vintage wooden coaches, are seen departinmg the Groff's Grove picnic flagstop depot.

Eastbound Canadian Pacific intermodal train in a Winter sunset environment. Chicago Illinois USA. December 2006.

I took this photo after work one evening in December of 2006. I was just hanging around the Metra, Hanson Park commuter rail station with My old digital camera at the time of this photo. Around sunset, I spotted this eastbound, soon to be southbound Canadian Pacific intermodal train enroute to the Belt Railway of Chicago interchange at nearby Cragin Junction. The sun was setting, as another Chicago Winter day is coming to a close.

The CTA Route # 82 Kimball / Homan Avenue north bus terminal. Chicago Illinois USA. September 2006.

Hello everyone!
welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page.
Today is "Bus Day" once again here at My Chicago area transportation blog site. I took this photo one hot late summertime afternoon, in early September of 2006. Seen here at the intersection of West Devon and North Kedzie Avenue's ...is the north terminal turn around bus loop for the Chicago Transit Authority Route # 82 Kimball / Homan Avenue bus line.

Eastbound CTA Route # 76 Diversey Avenue bus. Chicago Illinois USA. September 2006.

I took this classic Chicago northside neighborhood photo one summer afternoon, in early September of 2006. An eastbound Chicago Transit Authority Route # 76 Diversey Avenue bus, is seen passing through Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood near the intersection of West Diversey and North Pine Grove Avenues.

Silent Digital Video: Chicago Transit Authority buses on North Clark Street. Chicago Illinois USA. July 2007.

I took this video in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood one hot summer afternoon in July of 2007, with My old digital camera. We are on North Clark Street adjacent to Chicago's Lincoln Park near West North Avenue. Several CTA buses are seen passing this very popular and busy location on Chicago's northside.

Milwaukee County Transit District 1970's era GMC bus. Milwaukee Wisconsin USA. May 2000.

Here I am folks, Your host and photographer om a May 2000 chartered bus fantrip in Milwaukee Wisconsin. In May of 2000, I attended a special city bus fans charter that was sponsored by the Chicago Chapter of the Omnibus Society of America, and a group from the Midwest Transit Bus Museum in Cresthill Ilinois. The time was begining to run out for the Milwaukee County Transit Districts rehabbed 1970's era GMC Fishbowl windshield "New Look" TDH series transit buses. They would make their last run in Milwaukee Wisconsin on June 8th, 2001. One of these buses has since been preserved at the Illinois Railway Museum, located in Union Illinois, as well as a few privately owned ones at the Midwest Transit Bus Museum in Cresthill Illinois.

Eastbound CTA 1985 M.A.N transit bus heading eastbound on West 111th Street. Chicago Illinois USA. August 1990.

I took this photo in August of 1990, in Chicago's Mount Greenwood neighborhood near the Chicago city limits. An eastbound Chicago Transit Authority 1985 M.A.N 40 Foot transit bus manufactured in the nation formerly known as West Germany, is seen heading eastbound on West 111th Street after departing the nearby terminal at West 111th Street and South Springfield Avenue. The green and cream colored CTA bus stop sign on the post, is from the 1960's era.

Downtown Chicago during a hot afternoon rush hour. Chicago Illinois USA. June 2008.

I took this photo in downtown Chicago Illinois, on a hot Summer day in June of 2008. With outside temperatures near 90 Degrees Farenheight under suny skies, the afternoon rush hour is on for several working Chicagoans. I photographed this scene on South Clark Street, at the intersection of West Adams Street.

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

I took this photo in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood one morning in November of 2006. A southbound Chicago Transit Authority Route # 22 Clark Street bus, is seen on North Clark Street near West Fullerton Avenue.

Canadian National locomotives idling at the former Illinois Central Hawthorne Yard engine terminal. Cicero Illinois USA. April 2006.

I took this photo in early April of 2006. Having barren straw brown leftover Winter scenery proved to be an advantage on this early Springtime afternoon. Seen here looking south from a neighborhood side street on the north side of the railroad embankment, are two Canadian National locomotives, one in the markings of predecessor railroad Grand Trunk Western, idling on the ready track at the former Illinois Central Railroad, Hawthorne Yard in west suburban Cicero Illinois. This facility was located on the Illinois Central Railroad's Iowa Division Mainline. The Canadian National absorbed the Illinois Central in a 1999 merger.

Silent Digital Video: Northbound Gomaco single truck replica streetcar on Main Street. Memphis Tennesee USA. September 2007.

I took this video with My old Digital camera in September of 2007. My lovely Wife Cheryl and Myself, were enjoying a much needed vacation in the city of Memphis Tennesee. Seen here is a popular local attraction in downtown Memphis known as the Memphis Main Street Trolley. The system has three seperate lines, and utillizes both refurbished vintage equipment and replica streetcars from a company known as Gomaco. Seen here is an orange and cream colored Replica of an early 1900's era single truck 4 wheeled electric streetcar. This replica is seen heading northbound on Main Street, at the intersection of Madison Avenue.

Southbound Metra commuter local at sunrise. Glenview Illinois USA. Febuary 2008.

I took this early morning Winter sunrise photograph, in north suburban Glenview Ilinois back in Febuary of 2008. It is a bitterly cold 5 defrees above zero Farenheight at approximately 5:30 AM. A southbound Metra commuter local has just arrived at the Glenview Illinois, Metra commuter rail station. The train will soon take off and proceed on it's all stops morning rush hour journey to Chicago Union Station.

Former Milwaukee Road switcher working the Bensenville Yard car shops. Bensenville Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo looking northwest from adjacent Green Street, in northwest suburban Bensenville Illinois. An orange and black mid 1970's era EMD MP 15 yard switcher in faded Milwaukee Road markings, is seen at work spotting cars in the Canadian Pacific Railroad's Bensenville Yard. I took this photo on a very brightly
sunlit, but still very bitterly cold winter morning in January of 2007.

Central Illinois Railroad EMD yard switcher returning to base. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I was definately in the right place at the right time with a camera in hand, on this cloudy winter morning in January of 2007. In past postings of Eddie's Railfan Page, I had this shortline railroad listed as DRS Rail Services, as the cab markings read DRSX. Just recently, I found out that the correct name of this line is the Central Illinois Railroad. I took this photo alongside West Cermak Road east of South Ashland Avenue, in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood. This blue and very heavilly grafitti tagged EMD SW series yard switcher locomotive, is seen passing the Commonwealth Edison Company's Throop Street Generating Plant, enroute back to the locomotive storage yard at West Cermak Road and South Canalport Avenue. Todays industrial switching chores are now completed for the day. In October of 2008, locomotive # 1206 was repainted in to a 1950's era Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad heritage color scheme, to honor the pre 1970 predecessor railroad that switched this former Burlington Northern Railroad branchline.

Westbound Amtrak Southwest Chief on the original A,T & S, F mainline. Stickney Illinois USA. October 1989.

I took this now rare photo one late Autum afternoon, in October of 1989. We are looking east from the South Central Avenue overpas bridge in Stickney Illinois near the Chicago city limits. The westbound Amtrak Southwest Chief passenger train enroute to Los Angeles California, is seen departing Chicago over the trains original routing on the Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad mainline. In 1995, the Burlington Northern Railroad, and the Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad would both merge and become todays BNSF Railway. Shortly after the merger, this train was re routed over the former Burlington Northern mainline between Chicago and Galesburg Illinois.

The CTA , Kostner Avenue railroad crossing. Skokie Illinois USA. August 2008.

Hi everyone!
Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page.
One of the more pleasant and scenic railroad crossing locations I have come to know in the Greater Chicagoland Area, is this one in north suburban Skokie Illinois. We are looking north on Kostner Avenue in Skokie Illinois on a pleasant summer afternoon in August of 2008. This pleasant residential street scene, is located along the Chicago Transit Authority's Yellow Line rapid transit, also known since 1964 as the Skokie Swift. Two car CTA married pair rapid transit trains pass through here several times a day.

Silent Digital Video: Eastbound Metra express commuter train passing through the Harlem Avenue station. Berwyn Illinois USA. January 2008.

I photographed this video with My old digital camera in January of 2008.
An eastbound Metra morning express commuter train, is seen racing through
the Metra, Harlem Avenue commuter rail station in west suburban Berwyn Illinois.

Former Soo Line locomotives heading northbound. Chicago Illinois USA. December 2006.

I took this photo after work one late afternoon in December of 2006. A Canadian Pacific freight train being lead by two former 1970's era Soo Line EMD roadswitchers, is seen heading northbound over the Belt Railway of Chicago near West Chicago Avenue. This train was enroute to nearby Cragin Junction and points west.