Chicago Terminal Railroad EMD yard switcher between assignments. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2007.

I took this photo one summer afternoon in August of 2007. We are on location at the Chicago Terminal Railroad's own modest locomotive terminal and office near Elston and North Avenues, in Chicago's Goose Island industrial district. Chicago is an industrial city, and this EMD switcher is utilized to work the various inner city factory spur sidings on Chicago's near northside.

Digital Live Sound Video: Westbound BNSF Railway freight train. Western Springs Illinois USA. Early May 2009.

I photographed this digital live sound video on location at the Metra, Western Springs commuter rail station in Chicago's western suburbs near Hindsdale Illinois. The silence of a quiet and overcast springtime afternoon, is interupted by a speeding westbound BNSF Railway freight train.

Notice the recent addition to the train station. The village of Western Springs Illinois recently constructed a "Replica" of the old railroad crossing gate operators tower that originally stood here on the north or westbound platform at the train station. Prior to the invention of automated railroad crossing gates, railroad crossing gates were operated manually during most of the steam era.

Former Illinois Central units on a westbound Canadian National freight train. Crawford Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. June 2007.

I took this photo after work one summer afternoon in June of 2007. We are on location at the former Illinois Central Railroad's Crawford Yard facility just east of Cicero Illinois. A westbound Canadian National freight train with former Illinois Central locomotives acquired through the 1999 merger, are viewed waiting on a hold order. Nearby Hawthorne Junction to the west of here, was busy with several north and southbound freight trains occupying the crosstracks on the Belt Railway of Chicago trackage.

The Metra, Prairie View commuter rail station. Lincolnshire Illinois USA. May 2009.

I took this photo at work one late afternoon in May of 2009. I had just dropped off a handicapped passenger here at the Metra, Prairie View commuter rail station in far north suburban Lincolnshire Illinois. She was transfering to a First Transit / Pace handicappped bus that serves Lake County, as this is My company's northern transfer point. After taking a much needed 10-100 break ( CB Radio code for bathroom stop.) I took this photo looking north in the immediate parking area along the west side of the station. That is My bus in the background.

Metra serves this Canadian National ex Wisconsin Central line from Monday thru Friday, with commuter trains traveling between Chicago and Antioch Illinois.

Westbound Union Pacific intermodal transfer train. Hodgkins Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo one overcast winter morning in January of 2007. We are on location at the recently closed 67th Street railroad crossing on the BNSF Railway. A Union Pacific intermodal transfer train is seen in transit to the nearby BNSF Railway intermodal yard in Willow Springs Illinois.

Eddie K and the Dukes of Hazzard TV show "General Lee" car. Chicago Illinois USA. April 2009.

Hi everyone!
welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page from the city of Chicago Illinois.

Sometimes very nice and unexpected things happen when You least expect it to.
I was heading back to My company's bus garage at the end of My lunchbreak one afternoon, in April of 2009, and spotted what looked like the old "General Lee" 1969 Dodge Charger from the old CBS TV show "The Dukes of Hazzard". This car was parked in front of the local Belmont Heights Auto Body Shop at the northwest corner of west Belmont and North Osceola Avenues.

Upon close inspection after parking My own car down the street, I was greeted by the shops manager who offered to take My photo next to it. I was told that many local residents had their photos taken by it as well.

The car is owned by a local Chicago area resident, who just happens to be a big fan of the Dukes of Hazzard TV show. The man felt a need to own his own General Lee.
Unlike the CBS TV show General Lee car, the doors are not "welded Shut", and the horn wich plays the song "Dixie"....Unfortunately is very "Off Key".

Still, this was a fun memory for Me on this lovely Springtime afternoon.
I used to watch the Dukes of Hazzard TV show on Friday nights when I was attending Curie High School back in the late 1970's and early 80's. I graduated in 1981.

Digital Live Sound Video: A speeding westbound Metra, evening rush hour express commuter train. Chicago Illinois USA. Early April 2009.

I photographed this unique digital live sound video after work one evening, in early April of 2009. The sun is going down now at the Metra, Hanson Park commuter flagstop depot, as this westbound Metra express commuter train races to Elgin Illinois over the former Milwaukee Road mainline.

Westbound early CSX train with former Seaboard System locomotives. Hayford Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. July 1989.

Todays railroad that is known as CSX Transportation, was a new railroad that was formed through the merger and acquisitions of several railroads way back in the mid 1980's. I took this photograph in July of 1989. We are looking west on location at Hayford Junction. Seen here traveling westbound over the Belt Railway of Chicago tracks, is an early postmerger CSX train, with locomotives from the former seaboard System railroad leading the train enroute to the BRC Clearing Yard in Bedford Park Illinois. The train is crossing the Grand Trunk Western Railroad crosstrack at Hayford Junction. Hayford Junction is located at West 75th Street and South Central Park Avenue in Chicago's Ashburn neighborhood.

Northbound Metra commuter local. Morton grove Illinois USA. Early March 2009.

I took this photo one late morning in early March of 2009 during My lunch break. A northbound Metra commuter train enroute to Fox Lake Illinois, is seen making the station stop in north suburban Morton Grove Illinois.

COMING SOON! MY CHICAGOLAND RAILFAN PHOTO SLIDESHOW! Saturday, June 27th, 2009.

Attention all Chicago area railfans!
I will be hosting My Chicagoland Railfan Photo Slideshow on Saturday, June 27th, 2009
at the Eisenhower Public Library. The library is located at 4613 North Oketo Avenue in near north suburban Harwood Heights Illinois, just northwest of the Harlem Irving Plaza Shopping Center.

I will be showing some of My many Chicago area railroad photographs I have taken around the Windy City in the last 20 years or so, and maybe show a short railfan home movie video or two. It will be a fun afternoon. The show runs from 2:00 to 3:30 PM. I hope to see You there.

All A-boooaaard!

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Digital Live Sound Video: Southbound CTA Skokie Swift train at the Niles Center Road grade crossing. Skokie Illinois USA. August 2008.

I photographed this unique digital live sound video during My lunchbreak one day, in August of 2008. We are on location looking north at the Niles center Road grade crossing in north suburban Skokie Illinois. A southbound CTA Skokie Swift / Yellow Line train has just left the Dempster Street terminal, and is now passing our photo location.

A former New Orleans Public Service Co 1920's era streetcar at the station. The Chattanoga Choo Choo Holiday Inn Hotel. Chattanooga Tennesee. May 1990

I took this photo at the trolley boarding platform, at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Holiday Inn Hotel during a May 1990 family vacation. This restored 1920's era double ended standard electric streetcar, originally hauled the transit riders in the city of New Orleans Louisiana. Today, it transports visiting hotel guests on the grounds of the Chattanooga Choo Choo Holiday Inn Hotel.

The Kiddieland Limited waiting in the station. Kiddieland Amusement Park. Melrose Park Illinois USA. July 2008.

It was just announced within the last week, that Chicago's Kiddieland Amusement Park in near northwest suburban Melrose Park Illinois will soon be closing after 81 years in operation.

Although small in size with a track guage of only a mere 14", the Kiddieland Limited streamlined gas powered miniature replica passenger train...always held a certain fascination for this local Chicago railfan for many years.

Here it is in July of 2008 waiting for passengers to board at the station. It is late in the evening, and the park will be closing for the night in an hour or so.

The 73rd Avenue railroad crossing up close. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. May 2009.

I took this photo after work one evening in May of 2009. This is an up close view of the backside of the flashing light housing on one of the crossing signals, at the Metra / Canadian Pacific 73rd Avenue railroad crossing in the suburban village of Elmwood Park Illinois. A nice detailed shot often un noticed by most people.

A former GTW locomotive at work spotting tank cars. The CN Crawford Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. Early October 2007.

The former Illinois Central RR Crawford Yard just east of Cicero Illinois, was where I took this photo after work one lovely Autum afternoon in early October of 2007. A former Grand Trunk Western Railroad locomotive, is viewed working the ladder track sidings in this now Canadian National owned facility.

Demolition preparations are just getting underway at the old Maurice Lennel Cookie Factory. Norridge Illinois USA. May 2009.

I took this photo one late morning, in May of 2009. A dumpster in the front of the building and a missing rooftop sign, indicates that the curtain is about to fall for good at the old Maurice Lennel Cookie Factory and Store at 4474 North Harlem Avenue in Norridge Illinois. Demolition preparations were just begining to get underway at this once popular Chicagoland site. Soon the wrecking ball should be arriving on the scene in upcoming weeks. Goodbye Maurice Lennel Cookies...Hello to a new Costco.

Digital Live Sound Video: Northbound Amtrak Hiawatha passenger train. Glenview Illinois USA. Early April 2009.

I photographed this digital live sound video during My lunchbreak one morning, in early April of 2009. A northbound Amtrak Hiawatha service train enroute to Milwaukee Wisconsin, is viewed passing through the Glen of North Glenview Metra commuter rail station.

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

I took this photo on a hot summer morning, in June of 2007. A northbound BNSF Railway transfer train made up of empty intermodal cars, is seen passing over Archer Road / Illinois U.S Route # 171, and entering the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad's Argo Yard in the village of Summit Illinois.

The 73rd Avenue railroad crossing. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. May 2009.

I took this photo after work one evening in May of 2009. One of My all time favorite locations to take railroad photos or videos in near northwest suburban Elmwood Park Illinois, is the 73rd Avenue railroad crossing, just south of Grand Avenue. This is a very busy railroad mainline in the Greater Chicagoland Area. There are many daily local and express Metra commuter trains, as well as many freight trains here on the Canadian Pacific ex Milwaukee Road mainline.

BNSF Railway locomotives idling on top of the hump at Corwith Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. March 2008.

I took this photo after work one evening in March of 2008. Two BNSF RaiEMD roadswitchers, are viewed idling on the top at the former A,T & S,F Corwith Yard in Chicago's Brighton Park neighborhood.

Whistle Post stationary railroad train signal. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. May 2009.

I took this photo after work one evening in May of 2009. The large reflective "W" on this particular sign post, tells the locomotive engineer to blow the whistle for an upcoming railroad crossing. This one was photographed just east of the 73rd Avenue railroad crossing in near northwest suburban Elmwood Park Illinois. It is located along the Canadian Pacific ex Milwaukee Road mainline.

Retired CTA 6000 series rapid transit cars at the Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois USA. August 2000.

I took this photo at the museum's East Union passenger train station, in August of 2000. No longer working for the Chicago Transit Authority, these lightweight 1950's era rapid transit cars now transport visiting museum patrons on demonstration rides.

COMING SOON! MY CHICAGOLAND RAILFAN PHOTO SLIDESHOW! SATURDAY, JUNE 27TH, 2009.

Hi everyone! This is Eddie K, Your host and photographer here at Eddie's Railfan Page.

I will be hosting My Chicagoland Railfan Photo Slideshow, on Saturday, June 27th 2009 at the Eisenhower Public Library in near north suburban Harwood Heights Illinois.
The library is located at 4613 North Oketo Avenue. The show will run from 2:00 to 3:30 PM. It will be a fun opportunity for fellow local Chicago area railfans to get together. I look foreward to seeing You there.

All A-boooaaard!

Eddie K.

Digital Live Sound Video: Westbound CTA Skokie Swift train crossing Dodge Avenue. Evanston Illinois USA. April 2009.

I photographed this digital live sound video after work one evening, in late April of 2009. We are looking south on Dodge Avenue in north suburban Evanston Illinois. A westbound CTA Yellow line train is viewed speeding across the Dodge Avenue underpass viaduct enroute to the Dempster Street terminal in Skokie Illinois.

The 14" guage miniature railroad. The Hesston Steam Museum. Hesston Indiana USA. August 2005.

I took this photo on an August 2005 visit to the Hesston Steam Museum, located in northwest Indiana near the border at New Buffalo Michigan. Normally being pulled by a live steam coal burning miniature 4-6-4 Hudson type steam locomotive, todays train is being pulled by a homemade gasoline powered box cab locomotive normally used on maintenance work trains.

For more information on the Hesston Steam Museum, click on the links page to the right of Your computer screen at www.hesston.org

The Otis Oakley scrapyard on South Kedzie Avenue at West 31st Street. ( Gone.) Chicago Illinois USA. 1996.

This photograph was contributed by one of My loyal blogsite readers, Mister Dennis Madia. I grew up in the very blue color and quiete industrial Little Village neighborhood on Chicago's near southwest side. I passed by this landmark on South Kedzie Avenue almost everyday while I lived in little Village...and never noticed or even photographed it. ( I am somewhat sorry now.)

This large metral scrapyard, was located on the west side of South Kedzie Avenue between West 30th and 31st Streets. It was located directly across West 31st Street from Wahburne Trade School. The years pass by, and many local businesses come and go over the course of time. Unfortunately....this was one of them.
Today, it is the site of a small outdoor strip mall with a branch bank.

Thanks for the old neighborhood memory Dennis.

Eddie K.

CN switching at the former I.C Crawford Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. May 2007.

I took this photo after work one afternoon, in May of 2007. EMD roadswitchers in the colors and markings of the Canadian National, and the fallen flag railroad Grand Trunk Western, are viewed switching a cut of tank cars at the former Illinois Central Crawford Yard. This yard is located at the Chicago city limits, just mere footsteps away from west suburban Cicero Illinois and the adjacent Hawthorne Junction.

Chicago's Kiddieland Amusement Park to close at the end of the 2009 season. Farewell old friend.

It was announced on Tuesday, May 18th 2009, that the Kiddieland Amusement Park located in near northwest suburban Melrose Park Illinois, has officially been sold.
Being in operation at this location since the 1920's....another era in Chicagoland summer family entertainment is coming to an end.

Up until the 1970's and just beyond.....There used to be several of these little amusement parks around the Greater Chicagoland Area. I could remember going to Playland Park in Justice Illinois ( Closed 1979) Fairyland in Lyons Illinois (Closed 1978) and Adventureland in Addison Illinois ( Closed 1976). Also until a few years ago....there was Santa's Village and Racing Rapids in Dundee Illinois.

It looks like all We actually have left...is a handful of traveling summer carnivals and Six Flaggs in Gurnee Illinois. A way of life is coming to a close in the Greater Chicagoland Area.

For fans of Kiddieland like Myself and a few others, Please get those photos now while You can before it is much too late. "long Live Kiddieland"!

Silent Digital Video: A speeding eastbound Metra express commuter train crossing Oak Park Avenue. Berwyn Illinois USA. April 2007.

I photographed this silent digital video after work one late afternoon, in April of 2007. We are looking south on Oak Park Avenue in downtown west suburban Berwyn Illinois. An eastbound afternoon rush hour Metra express commuter train, speeds past the railroad crossing on Oak Park Avenue with two locomotives pushing on the rear. The train is heading to Chicago Union Station.

Southbound Canadian Pacific transfer train crossing West Lake Avenue. Glenview Illinois USA. Febuary 2009.

I took this wintertime photo on location one morning, at the West Lake Avenue railroad crossing in north suburban Glenview Illinois. A southbound heavy Canadian Pacific transfer freight train, moves along on the Union Pacific 's former Chicago & NorthWestern RR freight only cut off line.

Chicago, South Shore & South Bend Railroad interurban train. Michigan City Indiana USA. June 1987.

I took this photo on location in downtown Michigan City Indiana, way back in June of 1987. I rode this train with a group of My fellow railfans on this overcast day.
We were on a chartered fantrip excursion to the nearby Hesston Steam Museum, that was being sponsored by the Railroad Club of Chicago. It was a fun outing.

The First Transit mechanic's garage in the back. Glenview Illinois USA. September 2008.

Hi everyone!
Welcome aboard the "Bus Day" edition of Eddie's Railfan Page from Chicago Illinois.

I took this photo at work last year, in September of 2008. I am pursuing a career as a Paratransit Driver. Occasionally, our buses can sometimes incur the inconvenience of an occasional break down or mechanical failure between the scheduled servicing and maintenance times. This is the mechanic's garage in the back of our garage building in north suburban Glenview Illinois.

Silent Digital Video: Northbound CTA Route # 22 Clark Street bus. Chicago Illinois USA. April 2007.

I photographed this silent digital video one morning in April of 2007. A northbound Chicago Transit Authority Route # 22 Clark Street bus, stops and picks up a passenger on North Clark Street near West Demming Place, in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood.

Westbound CTA Route # 77 Belmont Avenue electric trolley bus. Chicago Illinois USA. November 1951.

This unique old photograph from the northside of Chicago, comes from the Chicago Transit Authority's 1990 Historical Calendar. We are looking east on Belmont Avenue, at the intersection of North Kostner Avenue in November of 1951.

Seen here at the intersection, is a Chicago Transit Authority 1947 era Brill electric trolley bus. Chicago and many other citties in North America, once had electric trolley buses. I was born in 1962, and grew up watching and riding on the Chicago Transit Authority's electric trolleybuses during their final years in operation. I was only a kid then, but I can still remember them working on the CTA Route # 52 Kedzie /Californaia Avenue line, as well as the Route # 12 Roosevelt Road line, The Route # 53 Pulaski line, the Route # 78 Montrose Avenue line, and the Route 54 Cicero Avenue line.

CTA electric trolley bus operations ended on Sunday, March 25th, 1973.

CTA Route # 77 Belmont Avenue bus at the turn a round loop at Belmont and Octavia Avenues. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2006.

I took this photo on a hot summer afternoon in August of 2006. We are just west of North Hatrlem Avenue at West Belmont and North Octavia Avenues. Normally the westbound Chicago Transit Authority Route # 77 Belmont Avenue bus, usually terminates at the turn a round loop at West Belmont and North Cumberland Avenues in River Grove Ilinois. This extra facility shown here at Belmont and Octavia Avenues...is an auxilary one that is only used during rush hour commuting periods on Monday thru Friday.

Eastbound Pace bus on Touhy Avenue with Chicago Bears advertising decals. Chicago Illinois USA. April 2007.

I took this photo one afternoon in April of 2007. A suburban Pace bus, with shrink wrapped advertising decals promoting the Chicago Bears NFL football team, is viewed heading eastbound on West Touhy Avenue just east of the intersection at North Western Avenue near the Chicago city limits.

Eastbound GMC / Bluebird school bus. Chicago Illinois USA. April 2007.

I took this photo on a sunny Springtime morning, back in April of 2007. An eastbound GMC / Bluebird school bus, waits for the traffic light to turn green at the intersection of West Lawrence and North Cumberland Avenues on Chicago's far northwest side.

Westbound Pace 79th Street bus. Bridgeview Illinois USA. May 2006.

I took this photo on a lovely afternoon in May of 2006 on West 79th Street, just west of the intersection of South Harlem Avenue in southwest suburban Bridgeview Illinois. A westbound Pace bus on 79th Street, has just crossed the intersection at South Harlem Avenue, and is enroute to Moraine Valley Community College in nearby Palos Hills Illinois.

An era has ended in west suburban Cicero Illinois. The demolition of the old Sportsman's Park horse racing track. Cicero Illinois USA. May 2009.

I took this photo one evening in April of 2009. Yes folks, it's officially true.
Sportsman's Park horse racing track seen here along the east side of South Laramie Avenue, is finally meeting the wrecking ball after many years of inactivity.

I actually went to Sportsman's Park a handful of times with My family back in the 1970's and early 1980's when they were racing thoroughbred horses. Buggy races were popular here too.

By the 1990's, riverboat gambling and land based casinos in nearby Hammond and East Chicago Indiana, took away much of the gambling patronage here, and eventually Sportsman's Park was sold. For a while during the late 1990's and early 2000's, the track itself was rebuilt with high concrete curved walls and hosted auto racing under the new name Chicago Motor Speedway. It was unsucessful in the long run, and closed after the 2003 Season. There were many complaints from nearby residents about loud noise pollution wich proboubly doomed this old facility during the auto racing period.

Another historic era has ended in Cicero Illinois. Sportsman's Park...R.I.P

Thank You.
Eddie K.

Digital Live Sound Video: Northbound Metra commuter locomotive running light. Glenview Illinois USA. April 2009.

I photographed this unique digital live sound video after work one evening, in April of 2009. This is a rare sight to behold in day to day Chicago to Fox Lake Illinois commuter rail operations. A single Metra MPI model MP 36PH passenger locomotive, is viewed heading northbound alongside Lehigh Avenue in north suburban Glenview Illinois.
There may have been a shortage of available locomotives at the Fox Lake terminal during the evening rush hour commuting period. This is one of those rare extra movements on the Canadian Pacific ex Milwaukee Road mainline.

Switching activity at the Belt Railway of Chicago's Clearing Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. July 2007.

I took this photo after work one hot summer afternoon, in July of 2007. We are looking east from the South Cicero Avenue / Illinois U.S Route # 50 Cicero Avenue overpass bridge, in to the east, or also whats known as the Chicago side of Clearing Yard. A heavy duty EMD roadswitcher and a large slug unit, are viewed pulling a heavy cut of cars.

Former Wisconsin Central boxcars on a viaduct. Chicago Illinois USA. April 2007.

I took this photo looking out through My cars front windshield one cool Springtime day, in April of 2007. ( Luckilly the traffic was crawling slowly at the time.)
We are looking northbound on South Halsted Street near West 41st in Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood. One of the joys of railfanning, is actually having a day with beautiful sunshine, and the occasional appearance of railroad equipment from fallen flag railroads.

The Morton Grove, Metra commuter rail station. Morton Grove Illinois USA. August 2008.

One of My favorite north suburban commuter rail stations in the Greater Chicagoland Area, is the Morton Grove station on the Metra / Canadian Pacific ex Milwaukee Road mainline to Fox Lake Illinois. Here it is on an overcast day in August of 2008.

Locomotives being serviced at the Grand Trunk Western Railroad's Elsdon engine terminal. Chicago Illinois USA. October 1983.

I took this photo on Chicago's southwest side, just a few city blocks west of South Kedzie Avenue. Located at what would approximately be West 49th Street on private property, was the GTW Elsdon Yard, a 1914 built railroad roundhouse and the locomotive servicing and ready tracks. I took this photo in October of 1983, during what was officially the last week in operation at this soon to be closed facility.

The Elsdon locomotive terminal sat abandoned and forelorn until late 1987, when it was eventually demolished and replaced with a small outdoor retail strip mall.

Coming Soon! My Chicagoland Railfan Photo Slideshow! Saturday, June 27th 2009.

Hi everyone!
This is Eddie K, Your host and photographer here at Eddie's Railfan Page.
I will be hosting My Chicagoland Railfan Photo Slideshow, On Saturday June 27th from 2:00 to 3:30 PM. The event will take place at the Eisenhower Public Library, located at 4613 North Oketo Avenue in near northwest suburban Harwood Heights Illinois.
I may include the showing of a short railfan home movie or two of mine, if the time permits Me to do as such.

I hope to see You there for an afternoon of railfan fun.

All A-boooaaard!!!

Thank You/
Eddie K/

Eastbound BNSF Railway freight train. Brookfield Illinois USA. June 2000.

I took this photo looking west on Brookfield Avenue in June of 2000. An eastbound BNSF Railway freight train, is viewed passing through west suburban Brookfield Illinois on a hot summer afternoon.

Silent Digital Video: Northbound CTA Brown line train passing over West Grand Avenue. Chicago Illinois USA. June 2007.

I photographed this digital live sound video just outside of downtown Chicago, in June of 2007. A northbound Chicago Transit Authority brown line train, passes over West Grand Avenue just northwest of downtown Chicago Illinois.

Smokey Mountain Railroad 2-6-0 steam locomotive # 23 on dispaly. The Chattanooga Choo Choo Holiday Inn Hotel. Chattanooga Tennesee USA. May 1990.

I took this photo during a May 1990 motorcoach tour vacation to the States of Tennesee and North Carolina in May of 1990. Although cosmetic backdating is utilized to make this locomotive look like something one sees in a western movie, retired Smokey Mountain Railroad 2-6-0 Mogul type steam locomotive # 23, makes a fine display at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Holiday Inn Hotel today,

A former Wisconsin Central EMD roadswitcher on top of the Lawrence Avenue viaduct. Schiller Park Illinois USA. July 2008.

I took this photo on a hot summer day in July of 2008. A former Wisconsin Central EMD roadswitcher acquired through merger by the Canadian National Railroad, is viewed idling above the West Lawrence Avenue viaduct in Schiller Park Illinois.

Manually operated railroad crossing gate operators tower.(Gone.) The GTW Elsdon Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. October 1983.

Hello everybody!
Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page from the city of Chicago Illinois.

A favorite railfan haunt of mine that has unfortunately "Bit the dust", was the Grand Trunk Western Railroad, Elsdon Yard on West 51st Street. We are on the north side of West 51st Street looking west, just east of South Lawndale Avenue in October of 1983. This is the final week of Grand Trunk Western train operations at the once busy 14 track Elsdon Yard. Because of the many frequent back and forth switching movements here on West 51st as well as West 55th Street, between South St.Louis and South Lawndale Avenues....The railroad crossing gates were manually controlled during busy times in this tower by a signal operator.

The following week, this tower was demolished on site.
This was a last look at an ending era of Chicago railroad operations
in Chicago's Elsdon neighborhood.

Thank You.
Eddie K.

Silent Digital Video: Southbound electric streetcar. The Memphis Main Street Trolley. Memphis Tennesee USA. September 2007.

I photographed this silent digital video on a September 2007 vacation to the city of Memphis Tennesee. In recent years, the M.A.T.A -Memphis Area Transportation Authority, and the representatives at the Gomaco Corporation of Ida Grove Iowa, brought back historic and replica electric powered city streetcars to downtown Memphis Tennesee.

The blue car shown here, originally worked in the city of Melbourne Australia. Today it has been refurbished, and hauls commuters and tourists in Memphis Tennesee. Originally rebuilt with traditional spring loaded trolley poles, the M.A.T.A decided later on to re-equip them with a single Pantograph, so that the motorman wouldn't have to step out in busy traffic to raise the trolley pole to reverse direction.

This video was photographed looking east at the intersection of Madison Avenue and Main Stret.

The Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad's Illinois Northern industrial branchline local at work. Chicago Illinois USA. March 1986.

I took this photo one morning in late March of 1986. We are at approximately West 28th Street just east of South Kedzie Avenue, in Chicago's Little village neighborhood. During the last years of this line under Santa Fe ownership, this line was serviced Monday to Friday by a switching local originating out of the nearby Santa Fe Corwith Yard. Today in 2009, there is only one customer left on this line, and the succesor railroad BNSF Railway is filing to abandone this line.

Westbound Canadian National heavy transfer freight train. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. June 2008.

I took this photo one late afternoon, in June of 2008. A westbound Canadian National heavy transfer freight train, has just recieved a green block signal after spending time on a hold order. This train behind brand new diesel locomotives, is begining to rev up under heavy load conditions at the 75th Avenue railroad crossing in near northwest suburban Elmwood Park Illinois.

Chicago's historic Brighton Junction. (Gone.) Chicago Illinois USA. April 2007.

I took this photo on location in early April of 2007. We are on top of the railroad embankment just west of the intersection of South Archer and western Avenues. Seen here during it's very last Springtime of operation, is the manually operated and quiete delightfully outdated Brighton Junction. This was one of those places were modern double stack intermodal container trains, met old steam era train signaling facilities decades after the fact. Big changes were on the drawing board in the immediate upcoming months.

Brighton Junction was phased out upon construction of new signals and satelite communications by the Canadian National ex Illinois Central Railroad. Brighton Junction as a manually operated train dispatching and signaling facility operated from this tiny shack, officially closed on July 3rd, 2007. The shack and semaphore signals were to be destined for museum preservation.

A former Conrail gondola car in tow. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. May 2008.

I took this photo in May of 2008, on location at the 73rd Avenue railroad crossing in near northwest suburban Elmwood Park Illinois. I spotted this former Conrail gondola car in transit, on an eastbound Iowa, Chicago & Eastern freight train passing through town. Conrail became another fallen flag railroad in 1999, after it was acquired and divided up in a two way merger between the Norfolk Southern Railroad, and CSX Transportation Company.

Twilight time at the Franklin Park Metra commuter rail station. Franklin Park Illinois USA. June 2008.

I took this photo one quiet Summer evening in June of 2008. We are on location at the Franklin Park Illinois, Metra commuter rail station just after sunset. The day is coming to a close , as the sky turns a very colorful shade of purple and orange just before nightfall. It is between train times in this normally very busy rail line, that sees frequent freight train activity coming and going from nearby Bensenville Yard. The quiet won't last for too much longer though at this location.

An old neon Rexall Drug Store signe from decades ago. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo of an old 1950's era ( or even earlier) Rexall Drug Store neon sign at the northwest corner of North Western Avenue and West Augusta Street, in the city of Chicago Illinois. It is January of 2007, and the short Wintertime daylight hours, gave Me the ideal photo opportunity to photograph this historic icon from Chicago neighborhoods past.

These vintage neon signs from America's postwar times or even earlier, were once very common throughout the many neighborhoods within the city of Chicago Illinois. At one time several decades ago, these old neighborhood pharmacy drug stores often had a small lunch counter where one could purchase an inexpensive hot meal or sandwich. Many had soda fountains and served ice cream sundaes as well.

These little neighborhood Mom and Pop stores did everything from filling Your prescription medications from Your Doctor, to selling magazines, newspapers and general merchandise. Today, this particular Rexall Drug Store, only fills prescriptions, sells candy and soda, as well as a few items such as canes and cruthes for our elderly and handicapped residents.

Still....It was geat seeing this blast from Chicago's past alive and well in 2007.

Thank You.
Eddie K.

Digital Live Sound Video: Speeding westbound Metra rush hour express commuter train. Chicago Illinois USA. April 2009.

I photographed this digital live sound video one evening after work, in early April of 2009. I was fueling up My car at the Citgo gasoline station on the southwest corner of Northwest Highway and North Nagle Avenue, when I heard the crossing signal bells and the distant sound of an approaching commuter train at speed. Seen here crossing Nagle Avenue in Chicago's Norwood Park neighborhood, is a speeding westbound Metra rush hour express commuter train, enroute to Harvard Illinois.
This train is traveling over the Metra / Union Pacific Railroad - Northwest line.
This mainline was originally the Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad prior to 1998.

Westbound Canadian National freight train heading in to an approaching thunderstorm. North Riverside Illinois USA. September 2006.

I took this photo after work one late afternoon, in September of 2006. The Chicago area was weather, was preparing to make a change for the wet and very stormy. I took this photo looking west toward Des Plaines Avenue, in west suburban North Riverside Illinois. A westbound Canadian National freight train traveling over the former Illinois Central Railroad Iowa Division Mainline, is heading in to a darkening western sky. Heavy rain, thunder and lightning would arrive within the hour.

Westbound yellow Kenosha electric streetcar running alongside the Harbor on 54th Street. Kenosha Wisconsin USA. Opening day, Saturday, June 17th 2000.

I took this photo on the official opening day operations of the "New" Kenosha Wisconsin electric trolley line, on Saturday, June 17th, 2000. Seen here in the afternoon that day, We see a former Toronto Transit Comission refurbished 1951 vintage PCC electric streetcar, running westbound alongside the harbor on 54th Street. This car was painted in to the yellow and green colors used on the PCC streetcars in the city of Cincinnati Ohio.

Northbound Metra commuter local stopped at the Edgebrook flagstop depot. Chicago Illinois USA. June 2007.

I took this photo one morning in June of 2007.

We are looking west on West Devon Avenue, at the intersection of North Central Avenue in Chicago's Edgebrook neighborhood. It is the weekday morning rush hour rail commuting period. A northbound Metra commuter local enroute to Fox Lake Illinois, is viewed making the station stop at the Metra, Edgebrook commuter flagstop depot on Chicago's far northwest side. This is located at the Chicago city limits near Skokie Illinois.