The Elmwood Family Restaurant on Belmont Avenue. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. July 2009.

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

If You are ever in the near northwest suburban village of Elmwood Park Illinois, and You just happen to be quiete hungry at the time....I highly recommend stopping in here at the Elmwood Family Restaurant. Located on the southeast corner of West Belmont Avenue and North 77th Court, they have many varieties of home style specialties. Aside from always having really good Breakfast entrees here, I highly recommend their Hot Roast Turkey Sandwich, Cajun Pork Chops, Cream of Chicken Rice Soup, or even some of their Grecian specialties like the Anthenian Chicken Breast.

Occasionally I enjoy the Greek flaming cheese appetizer known as "Saginaki".
What can I say? "O-Paaah"! No visit is complete without at least viewing the pies and cakes in the front showcase near the register area. Love that Oreo Cake! Mmmmmm!

The main thing is, the people who work here are some of the nicest I have met yet.

Thank You.
Eddie K

It's dinner time! Lets Eat!

One of the enormous main driving wheels of Atchinson, Topeka & santa Fe 4-8-4 steam locomotive # 2903. The Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois USA

When You have a heavy load to haul, and require speed as well...Size does matter!
With drivers as tall or even taller than I am, Santa Fe # 2903 was built for speed and power. This was a dual service freight and passenger locomotive built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia Pennsylvania during World War Two times back in the 1940's. This is a really huge locomotive up close.

Digital Live Sound Video: Southbound Metra commuter local. Northbrook Illinois USA. May 2009.

I photographed this digital live sound video during My lunchbreak, one late morning in May of 2009. Seen here speeding past My camera, is a southbound Metra commuter local enroute to the next station stop at the Glen of North Glenview, Metra commuter rail station. The train is passing underneath the Union Pacific Railroad's former Chicago & NorthWestern freight only cut off line near Techny Illinois.

Eastbound Canadian Pacific freight train. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. July 2009.

I took this photo after work one evening, in July of 2009. Seen here is an eastbound Canadian Pacific freight train, passing through the Elmwood Park, Metra commuter rail station at sunset. Another summer day is coming to a close.

Demolition activity at the old Washburne Trade School site on West 31st Street. Chicago Illinois USA. Late July 2009.

After many years of sitting vacant and unused, Chicago's Washburne Trade School is getting the wrecking ball. Many neighborhood residents want this old property redeveloped in to a large city park. This is a close up view of the demolition along the southside of West 31st Street near South Kedzie Avenue, in Chicago's Little Vilage neighborhood.

Demolition of Chicago's Washburne Trade School on West 31st Street. Chicago Illinois USA. Late July 2009.

An era has ended for a long abandoned Chicago southside industrial landmark.

We are looking west on West 31st Street at the intersection of South Kedzie Avenue, in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood. Originally the Liquid Carbonic plant, this building in later years had become Washburne Trade School. This vocational trade school was owned and operated by the Chicago Board Of Education.

I attended Washburne Trade School in 1981 after I graduated from Curie High School.
The early 1980's were an econically tough time for the city of Chicago, and I was unfortunately very unemployed back then. From September of 1981 until Febuary of 1984, I studied Vending Machine Repair, Amusement Machine Repair, and welding # 101.

The nations economy was hard hit with numerous budget cuts under the late United States President Ronald Reagan at this time, and none of the representatives from the trades I had studied actually had jobs or employment opportunities to offer us.

Washburne Trade School had closed at some point during the late 1980's or around 1990, and has sat here vacant ever since. Local area residents have been lobbying for a "New" city park to be built here, and it looks like it is proceeding along.

Demolition began at the old Washburne Trade School site in late 2006, and now 2 /3rds of the old industrial building have been demolished in 2009.

Digital Live Sound Video: Chicago severe thunderstorm. Morton Grove Illinois USA. Friday, June 19th 2009.

This video is going out in honor of people who enjoy weather related subjects.

I photographed dramatic stormy weather video, on Friday, June 19th 2009. I was just going on My lunchbreak, when a major severe storm system had began to wreak havoc on the Greater Chicagoland Area. Here I am passing through north suburban Morton Grove Illinois, just as the severe storm system was begining to arrive.

I was just listening to WBBM News Radio 780 AM prior to turning on My digital camera, and here I am passing along some important weather update information.

The entire Chicago area was under a severe thunderstorm watch until 3:00 PM that day.
Streets were flooded everywhere, and water could be seen shooting upward out of the holes in sewer covers. Many basements were flooded due to the constant and heavy deluge of this freak thunderstorm system. It rained for several hours, and visibility was low. Driving conditions were very dangerous. Chicago got SOAKED!

Westbound Belt Railway of Chicago transfer train approaching the South Kedzie Avenue overpass bridge. Chicago Illinois USA. August 1987.

I took this photo on a hot summer afternoon, way back in August of 1987.
We are on top of the South Kedzie Avenue overpass bridge, just across from the large Nabisco factory at approximately west 75th Street. We are looking down from the east side of the South Kedzie Avenue overpass bridge, as a westbound Belt Railway of Chicago transfer freight train heads to Clearing Yard. Notice the lead unit in the 1976 American Bi Centenial paint scheme honoring America's 200th Birthday as a Nation.

Silent Digital Video: Eastbound Metra express commuter train speeding through the River Forest depot. River Forest Illinois USA. August 2007.

I photographed this silent digital video after work one day with My old digital camera, in August of 2007. It is now the very busy afternoon and evening rush hour commuting period on the Metra / Union Pacific Railroad "West Line" to Elburn Illinois.

A speeding eastbound Metra express commuter train, is viewed passing through the former Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad commuter rail station, in west suburban River Forest Illinois just east of Maywood. Stand back!

Eastbound BNSF Railway transfer train departing Clearing Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. May 2006.

I took this photo after work one day, on an overcast springtime afternoon in May of 2006. We are near the Chicago city limits east of Summit Illinois, at the location of West 60th Street and South Oak Park Avenue not far from Chicago's Midway Airport.

An eastbound BNSF Railway transfer freight train with a borrowed locomotive from the Canadian National Railroad, rounds the curve north of West 63rd Street in Chicago's Clearing neighborhood. This train is traveling over the Belt Railway of Chicago.

Evening rush hour at the Riverside, Metra commuter rail station. Riverside Illinois USA. July 2009.

I took this photo after work one late afternoon, in July of 2009.
An eastbound Metra evening rush hour local commuter train, is viewed both boarding and disembarking passengers, at the Riverside Illinois, Metra commuter rail station in Chicago's western suburbs. This is located on the very busy BNSF Railway 3 track Chicago to Aurora Illinois "Racetrack" commuter mainline.

Eddie K and the guys having some pizza. Vito and Nick's Pizza. Chicago Illinois USA. Tuesday, June 30th 2009.

An all time favorite activity shared by Myself and several good friends, are the occasional dinner outings We do together as a group.

This photo was taken on Tuesday night, July 30th 2009. Here We are at the original Vito and Nick's Pizza on South Pulaski Road and West 84th Street. I came here directly from My job in far north suburban Glenview Illinois, and didn't have the time to stop and change out of My bus driver unifiorm. The city of Chicago made a big mistake during the early 1970's, by not building that proposed "Crosstown Expressway". There is no good north and south route across town, and We could most certainly use it today.

We had a really nice time that evening, and it was worth the lenghty rush hour drive across town.

Pictured left to right are...Big Ed, Myself, Paul, Dennis, Bill , Anthony C. (Standing.) and Mike.

Chicago Police Department patrol wagon at the North Avenue Beach. Chicago Illinois USA. Early September 2006.

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

Todays first photo of My posting, is going out to anyone who is a fan of Police, Fire and First Responders.

I took this photo in early September of 2006, at Chicago's North Avenue Beach. It is approximately a week or two after the annual Labor Day holiday weekend, and Chicago's Lake Michigan beaches are officially closed for swimming. Still, You are welcomed to sunbath, jog, bicycle, roller blade or just plain visit the beach.

Seen here is a Chicago Police Department patrol wagon, parked next to the North Avenue Beach concession stand / changing room building. This unique building, is designed to look like a small ocean liner ship.

Digital Live Sound Video: Eastbound Canadian Pacific local freight train. River Grove Illinois USA. May 2009.

I photographed this digital live sound video one recent Springtime afternoon, in May of 2009. Although the Soo Line Railroad itself became a fallen flag railroad after the merger and takeover by the Canadian Pacific in 1990, there are still a surprising number of old unrepainted Soo Line equipment rolling around the former Milwaukee Road lines in the Greater Chicagoland Area today.
With a former Soo Line locomotive and caboose , and resembling something out of the late 1970's and early 1980's era Soo Line, This local freight train speeds through the Metra, River Grove commuter rail station.

Westbound Burlington Northern / Early Metra commuter train. La Grange Illinois USA. Febuary 1985.

One of My all time favorite photos I had taken during My early days as an amature railfan photographer, is this one in downtown west suburban La Grange Illinois.
Seen here on a dry, but cold and overcast winter afternoon nonetheless...Is a westbound Burlington Northern Railroad local commuter train arriving at the brown brick La Grange Road Amtrak / Metra commuter rail station. This train is heading to Aurora over the Burlington Northern Railroad's three track Chicago to Aurora Illinois mainline, wich was refered to as "The Racetrack".

Eastbound Metra express commuter train. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. August 2006.

I took this photo one hot summer morning, in August of 2006 at the Metra, Elmwoood Park Metra commuter rail station. An eastbound morning express train, speeds through the station in Elmwood Park enroute to Chicago Union Station downtown.

Digital Live Sound Video: The "New" Lionel / MTH O Guage model train layout at Berwyn Toy Trains Hobby Shop. Berwyn Illinois USA. July 2009.

I photographed this digital live sound video, inside the showroom at the Berwyn Toy Trains Hobby Shop in west suburban Berwyn Illinois.
Seen here in the mountains on the layouts higher elevation area, is a narrow guage North American prototype logging train. The locomotive is from Porter Locomotive Works industrial designs from the late 1800's and early 1900's era.

Electric interurban cars waiting at the East Union Depot. The Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois USA. Friday, July 3rd 2009.

This image seen here, is one of many I had captured with My digital camera on a recent family visit to the Illinois Railway Museum. In a scene out of electric interurban railroading's past, two sets of operating vintage electric interurban passenger equipment wait at the museum's East Union depot.

The blue cars in the immediate foreground, are two early 1900's era wooden interurban coaches from the Chicago, Aurora & Elgin Railroad. The green car in the background, is a mid 1920's era lightweight steel center entrance interurban car from the Illinois Terminal Railroad.

While neither railroad operated anywhere near each other some 50 to 60 years ago and of course much earlier...They are sharing their retirement together at the museum.

Chicago's South Canal Street drawbridge just north of South Archer Avenue. Chicago Illinois USA. Early September 2008.

Although it isn't a big local tourist attraction like Navy Pier or the John Hancock building observatory, one of My all time favorite local Chicago landmarks, is this old drawbridge on South Canal Street, located just outside of downtown Chicago Illinois. Painted an oxide red primer colors in recent years, this drawbridge over the Chicago River and many others were once painted in a medium to light gray color.

I am not sure, but I believe that this is the location where the south branch of the Chicago River, becomes the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. Located just to the immediate east of the bridge, is the railroad lift bridge who's right of way leads to 21st Street junction, La Salle Street Station and of course Chicago Union Station.

It is also the location of a local Marina and Yacht Yard for wintertime private boat storage. This is located just north of Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood on the near southside of Chicago. The Chicago River is maintained at a depth of 22 feet deep for shipping traffic and river navigation.

Switching the south hump at the Atchinson, Topeka & santa Fe RR Corwith Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. April 1984.

I took this photo one pleasant Springtime afternoon, way back in April of 1984.

We are just a couple of city blocks east of South Lawndale Avenue near what would be West 49th Street on private property. I used to walk through here all the time back in the late 1970's and early 80's....and nobody ever seemed to mind at all back then.

An elderly rebuilt 1st Generation EMD model GP-9 from the Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad originally built during the early 1950's, teams up with a non engined ballasted slug unit. This dynamic work a day duo, is viewed switching the south hump at the former A,T & S,F Corwith Yard on Chicago's southwest side.

Digital Live Sound Video: The "New" Lionel / MTH O Guage model train layout at Berwyn Toy Trains Hobby Shop. Berwyn Illinois USA. July 2009.

I photographed this unique digital live sound video inside the Berwyn Toy Trains Hobby Shop on Ogden Avenue in west suburban Berwyn Illinois. It has been more than a year since I have had the opportunity to visit this pleasant hobby store on Ogden Avenue, just a few blocks east of Harlem Avenue. A couple of years ago, I photographed a few silent digital videos with My old digital camera on their original Lionel / MTH demonstration layout.

Just recently, they built a brand new Lionel / MTH O Guage demonstration model train layout. Here it is in action in the middle of their showroom. All A-Boooaaard!

A Meter guage 0-8-0 steam locomotive from East Germany prepares for departure. The Hesston Steam Museum. Hesston Indiana USA. July 2007.

I took this photo on a July 2007 visit to the Hesston Steam Museum in northwest Indiana. A Meter Guage (U.S 2 Foot Guage) outside frame 1930's era 0-8-0 steam locomotive acquired from the nation formerly known as East Germany, builds up steam as it prepares to depart from the museum's open air Hesston Junction pavilion style depot.

For more information on the Hesston Steam Museum located east of Michigan City Indiana...click on the Links page to the right of the screen at www.hesston.org

Digital Live Sound Video: Eastbound CTA Skokie Swift train at the East Prairie Road crossing. Skokie Illinois USA. Late May 2009.

I photographed this digital live sound video on location, at the East Prairie Road railroad crossing on the Chicago Transit Authority's Yellow line rapid transit. East Prairie Road prior to conversion of the CTA Skokie Swift / Yellow line to 100% Third Rail operation in the Autum of 2004, was the east end of the overhead catenary wire near the border at Evanston Illinois.

An eastbound CTA Skokie Swift train, is viewed passing the railroad crossing at East Prairie Road enroute to the Howard Street terminal in nearby north suburban Evanston Illinois. All this action was captured just before sunset, on a lovely Springtime evening in May of 2009.

A green block signal. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. December 2006.

Sometimes there is nothing like a gray gloomy overcast sky above, to give that unique "Work a day" feel to railfan photographs.

I took this photo one winter afternoon, in December of 2006. A green block signal indication, gives the right of way to the next westbound train passing through near northwest suburban Elmwood Park Illinois. This overhead railroad cantilever block signal bridge, is located just west of the 73rd Avenue railroad crossing on the Canadian Pacific ex Milwaukee Road mainline.

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

I took this photograph one afternoon, in June of 2008. We are trackside along the Belt Railway of Chicago right of way just a little northeast of Chicago's midway Airport. A lenghty and slow moving southbound Canadian Pacific Railroad unit grain train, is viewed enroute to the Belt Railway of Chicago Clearing Yard in nearby Bedford Park Illinois. Heavy transfer freight trains rule this line.

Eddie K at work. Glenview Illinois USA. July 2009.

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

Here I am, Your host and photographer at work one morning, in July of 2009.
One of My fellow paratransit drivers took this photo of Me, and I thought that I would share it with You.

I am a Paratransit Driver by occupation, and absolutely love what I am doing.
I drive a handicapped bus in Chicago's northern Cook County suburbs, and have discovered what a really great feeling it is being able to assist those who are sometimes less fortunate in life. It is a job for good samaritan types, and it has a lot going for it. I love being a bus driver.

A southbound Pace bus in Home Depot shrink wrapped advertising. Schiller Park Illinois USA. November 2006.

I took this photo on a typical overcast November afternoon, in 2006. Adding a dash of bright orange color on an otherwise dismal day, is this Pace 2002 Orion low floor transit bus in shrink wrapped advertising markings for the Home Depot stores. This photo was taken on 25th Avenue in near northwest suburban Schiller Park Illinois.

Interior view of First Transit 2001 Ford paratransit bus # 5126. Glenview Illinois USA.

This view is a daily one for Me, as I am pursuing a career with First Transit as a Paratransit Driver /Handicapped bus operator. This is one of My company's older buses, but a very good and reliable one at that. Occasionally, My dispatchers assign Me Ford bus # 5126, but I really don't mind at all. It is comfortable and mechanically reliable.

Silent Digital Video: Eastbound CTA Route # 66 Chicago Avenue bus. Chicago Illinois USA. July 2007.

I photographed this silent digital video, on a hot summer day in July of 2007.

We are on location on West Chicago Avenue, just east of the nearby intersection of North Western Avenue in Chicago's Ukranian Village neighborhood west of downtown Chicago Illinois. An eastbound Chicago Transit Authority 2006 New Flyer transit bus, passes our location at speed.

Kenosha Transit 1975 GMC bus inside the garage. Kenosha Wisconsin USA. Saturday, April 29th 2000.

I took this photo inside the Kenosha Transit garage, during a chartered fantrip bus excursion. The GMC New Look / Fishbowl Windshield transit bus era was definately coming to a close in many North American citties during the 1990's and just beyond.

On Saturday, April 29th 2000. I was attending a chartered bus fans excursion aboard a Kenosha Transit 1975 vintage GMC bus. The trip was sponsored by the Chicago Chapter of the Omnibus Society of America. The Kenosha Transit Garage was one of the many supervised photo locations that We visited that day.

Westbound Pace bus on Grand Avenue. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. September 2006.

I took this photo on evening in September of 2006.
Another fine day was coming to a close in the Greater Chicagoland Area, as a westbound Pace bus has just crossed the Canadian Pacific ex Milwaukee Road train tracks in near northwest suburban Elmwood Park Illinois. The daylight was fading, but not My photographic enthusiasm on this lovely evening in 2006.

Milwaukee County Transit District bus on a chartered fantrip excursion. Milwaukee Wisconsin USA. Late March 2001.

I took this photo in the very early Springtime of 2001.

From 1999 to 2001, I worked for a small company in Romeoville Illinois as a delivery truck driver / courier. While I was employed there, I discovered a group just south of town in nearby Cresthill Illinois, that had a collection of antique city transit buses on a private industrial commercial rental storage lot. This group was known as The Midwest Transit Bus Museum. I soon joined the group, and was a member from 2000 to 2002.

One of the occasional fun activities that the group from the Midwest Transit Bus Museum, and members of the Chicago chapter of the Omnibus Society of America would do, is charter an all day city bus photo excursion in and around the city of Milwaukee Wisconsin. I went on several of these charters courtesy of the Milwaukee County Transit District. Here is one of there city buses being posed for the photographers cameras just outside the city of Milwaukee Wisconsin. It was a fun trip.

Saint William Catholic Parish in the aftermath of the Friday, June 19th Chicago severe thunderstorm. Chicago Illinois USA. Saturday, June 20th 2009.

I took this photo on Saturday morning, June 20th 2009 in Chicago's Mont Clare neighborhood. We are looking south on North Sayre Avenue in the serene reflection of a flooded street. On Friday, June 19th 2009....The city of Chicago Illinois was being pelted by heavy rains, lightning, hail, and very less than favorable conditions everywhere. Many Chicagoland homes had suffered from flooded basements.

The storm itself was so bad, that the National weather Service had issued a Severe Thinderstorm Watch until 3:00 PM that day. There were downed tree limbs everywhere the next day, but all was calm now.

Digital Live Sound Video: Westbound Canadian Pacific freight train at sunset. Franklin Park Illinois USA. Thursday, June 18th 2009.

I photographed this digital live sound video, on the evening of Thursday,June 18th 2009. We are on location in near northwest suburban Franklin Park Illinois. A slow moving westbound Canadian Pacific freight train, is viewed in transit heading to the nearby CP Rail Bensenville Yard.

The Illinois Terminal Railroad corporate logo. The Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois USA. Friday, July 3rd 2009.

I took this photo inside one of the many display barns at the Illinois Railway Museum. This was the corporate logo of the Illinois Terminal electric interurban railroad, wich served parts of Central, Southern and Southwestern Illinois as well as Saint Louis Missouri. The Illinois Terminal was originally known as the Illinois Traction System. Created during the early 1900's, it operated electric interurban trains until 1956, and suburban trolley car service between St.louis Missouri and Granite City Illinois until 1958. It operated as a freight only diesel powered railroad until it was purchased by the Norfolk & Western Railroad in 1981.

The Illinois Terminal painted their logos on the sides of their orange interurban cars, as well as their freight motors, and later diesel locomotives.

Working the former Illinois Central Crawford Yard in the early Autum. Chicago Illinois USA. Early October 2007.

I took this photo after work one lovely Indian Summer afternoon, in early October of 2007. We are near South Kostner Avenue around what would be West 33rd Street. A former Grand Trunk Western EMD roadswitcher, is working the siding tracks at the Canadian National owned former Illinois Central Crawford Yard.

A former Cotton Belt covered hopper in transit. Franklin Park Illinois USA. Thursday, June 18th 2009.

I took this photo after work in near northwest suburban Franklin Park Illinois.
One thing I have absolutely found enjoyable while railfanning, is finding a car or two from fallen flag railroads that are still rolling around many years after the fact in their original colors and markings. The St. Louis & Southwestern Railroad, wich was nicknamed the Cotton Belt, was a subsidiary of the former Southern Pacific Railroad. The Cotton Belt and several other railroads were acquired through merger by the Union Pacific Railroad during the 1990's, and absorbed in to their corporate system. The Cotton Belt is now a fallen flag railroad today, but You wouldn't know it looking at this classic hopper car.

A specially painted Elgin street sweeper vechicle from the City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation. September 2002.

Hi everyone!
welcome aboard Eddies Railfan Page from the city of Chicago Illinois.

Quoting a verse from the popular standard song "Take Me Out To The Ballgame", theres a part that says "We'll Root -Root Root for the Home Team". This is exactly what the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation just happened to do in recent years.

There are a small number of Elgin Pelican model street sweeper vechicles on Chicago's fleet honoring the city's local Major League sports teams.

I took this photo in September of 2002. The location is looking eastbound on West Fullerton Avenue at the three way intersection of North Lincoln Avenue and also North Halsted Street.

Digital Live Sound Video: Southbound Canadian Pacific intermodal train. Northbrook Illinois USA. June 2009.

I photographed this digital live sound video on morning in June of 2009. A southbound Canadian Pacific intermodal train, is seen passing through the Metra commuter rail station in north suburban Northbrook Illinois. This freight train was heading for the interchange at the nearby Union Pacific ex Chicago & NorthWestern RR freight only cut off line near Techny Illinois.

An old Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad corporate logo on a bridge. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

Although the bridge on this railroad line has been owned by the Union Pacific Railroad since 1998, the corporate logo from the fallen flag predecessor railroad Chicago & NorthWestern, was still in place on this bridge just south of West Addison Street in Chicago Illinois. This large and very heavily built steel railroad bridge, is located over the Illinois U.S Route # I-90 Kennedy Expressway. It is located on the Metra / Union Pacific Railroad's Northwest line to Harvard Illinois.

The very busy Union Pacific Railroad M-19A Diesel Shop. Chicago Illinois USA. October 2007.

A very active railroad locomotive terminal on Chicago's West Side of the city, is the Union Pacific Railroad's M-19A Diesel Shop. This former Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad facility, is located at 400 North Pulaski Road. I took this photo looking north from West Kinzie Street, between North Pulaski Road and North Kilbourn Avenue.

Aside from the many visiting locomotives from the freight pool fleet, locomotives from other railroads, as well as those from Chicago's Metra commuter rail operation are serviced here too.

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

I took this photo on an overcast day, in June of 1987. I had just disembarked the electric interurban train seen here from the Chicago, South Shore & South Bend Railroad in downtown Michigan City Indiana. I was on a fantrip special sponsored by The Railroad Club of Chicago. Our excursion utilized this regularily scheduled morning all stops local from Chicago Illinois to Michigan City. Our group was visiting the nearby Hesston Steam Museum that day, and We would soon transfer to a couple of waiting motorcoaches. It was a fun excursion.

Rare photo! Eastbound IHB switching train passing the CTA orange line construction. Chicago Illinois USA. May 1990.

I took this photo on location at South Lawndale Avenue at approximately what would be West 49th Street around sunset. An eastbound Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad switching local train, is viewed traveling over the Belt Railway of Chicago owned tracks.

Prior to December of 1988, The Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad had their own Stockyards branchline approximately 60 feet to the north of the adjacent Belt Railway of Chicago single track heavily ballasted branchline shown here. The Chicago Transit Authority was in the process of constructing the CTA orange line rapid transit to Chicago's Midway Airport at the time of this photograph, wich utilized part of the Stockyards branchline right of way.

The stockyards branch was in very poor shape with many rotted ties, kinked rails and roadbed whos ballest had long since sank in to the mud. Slow speed derailments were quiete common along this line. The IHB Stockyards branchline trains traveled between 5 and 10 miles per hour.

Eastbound BNSF Railway trailer train speeding through Mc Cook Junction. Mc Cook Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo one blustery windy cold winter morning, in January of 2007. I took this photo with a sharp wind blowing at Me coming out of the west that was litteraly stinging My face and ears, but believe Me...It was actually worth it.

Seen here is a fast moving eastbound BNSF Railway trailer train speeding across the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad crosstracks at Mc Cook Junction, located near west suburban Lyons Illinois.

The interior of a preserved 1920's era heavyweight Parlor /Sleeping car from the Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe RR. The Illinois Railway Museum.

I took this photo on a recent family visit to the Illinois Railway Museum, located in Union Illinois. This is a view aboard a preserved 1920's era heavyweight standard passenger car from the former Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad/ In the days before airline travel, many people including celebrities traveled across country via the many passenger trains and railroads that traversed our nation.

We are inside the Parlor section of a Parlor /Sleeping car. Just beyond the hallway/ corridor in the backround, are Berths /folding Bunk Beds that are covered by curtains in the hallway. This type of low budget semi private room arrangement, is what one would see in the old Three Stooges and Laurel and Hardy Movies, when they did episodes involving overnight passenger train travel.

A far cry from todays Amtrak accomodations, but this once was the industry standard.

The preserved Niles Center train station from the Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee Railroad. Skokie Illinois USA. July 2009.

The famous Chicagoland interurban electric railroad known as the Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee Railroad unfortunately is long gone. It offically went out of business due to a large bankruptcy in January of 1963. However, several of the interurban passenger cars from this railroad have been preserved at a handful of railroad museums, and a few landmark train stations like this one have survived long after the fact. Designed by the famous architect Aurthur Gerber, This depot was the home to several businesses over the years at the CTA Dempster Street Skokie Swift rapid transit terminal. Moved to it's present site nearly 100 feet east of it's original location in 2004, today it is the hime to a Starbucks gourmet coffee business that serves todays commuters.

Although it is located at Dempster Street in the north suburban village of Skokie Illinois, the original name of this location was known as Niles Center. This is proboubly due to it's close location to Niles Center Road immediately to the east of this site.

The original Al's Italian Beef on West Taylor Street. Chicago Illinois USA. Tuesday, July 14th 2009.

A popular and very savory local Chicago food favorite, is the Italian Beef sandwich.

Seen here on West Taylor Street near South Racine Avenue in Chicago's Little Italy neighborhood, is the original Al's Italian Beef. If You enjoy a nice juicy seasoned Italian style Roast Beef sandwich, or even charcoal broiled Italian Sausage with a side of fresh cut french fries....Then this is the place for You. It is worth a visit, and Your taste buds will thank You.

Al's opened a few franchise locations in recent years, but this is the original neighborhood one that started it all here in the Windy City.

Digital Live Sound Video: Preserved Illinois Terminal car # 101 heads westbound. The Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois USA. July 2009.

I photographed this digital live sound video, on a recent family visit to the Illinois Railway Museum located in Union Illinois. Illinois Terminal lightweight center entrance interurban car # 101, was built during the mid 1920's. It was used by the Illinois Terminal Railroad, between St. Louis Missouri and Alton Illinois.
Today it performs demonstration runs for visiting museum patrons.

A former Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad coal hopper car in transit. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2007.

One of the reasons I really enjoy lineside railfanning like I do, are those occasional "Chance Encounters" one can experience when equipment from fallen flag railroads pass by. I spotted this coal hopper car, still wearing the colors and corporate markings from the predecessor railroad Chicago & NorthWestern, on an eastbound Union Pacific Railroad unit coal train. This train was photographed alongside West Kinzie Street near North Kilbourn Avenue.

The Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad, was absorbed through merger by the Union Pacific Railroad in 1998.

Preserved rotating semaphore disc signal. The Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois USA. Friday, July 3rd 2009.

I took this photo on a recent family visit to the Illinois Railway Museum, located in Union Illinois. This lighted railway signal from recent decades past, is located just east of the preserved interlocking tower from Spaulding Illinois. Signals that are low to the ground, are refered to as "Dwarf" signals. This one with it's three colored lenses, did what Steam era Semaphore signals did. Notice that there is a Semaphore blade painted on the rotating signal disc. Signals like this, were generally used around large passenger train terminals.

Eastbound Canadian Pacific switching local. Franklin Park Illinois USA. October 2007.

I took this photo on a lovely Autum morning, back in October of 2007. An eastbound Canadian Pacific Railroad switching local, has just departed from the nearby CP Rail Bensenville Yard with a short freight train in tow. The locomotive is viewed here in bright red fresh paint.

Northbound CTA purple line train entering the Linden Avenue terminal at sunset. Wilmette Illinois USA. Early June 2009.

I took this photo after work one evening, in early June of 2009. The north suburban village of Wilmette Illinois was becoming very quiet and serene upon the ending of the day. The evening quiet is temporarily disturbed by the arrival of a northbound Chicago Transit Authority purplem line train entering the Linden Avenue terminal and rapid transit yard. This view is looking east on Maple Avenue.

Day break at the First Transit garage. Glenview Illinois USA. August 2008.

Hello everyone!
welcome aboard the "Bus Day" edition of Eddie's Railfan Page.
I took this photo at work last year, in August of 2008. It is approximately 5:45 AM. There is much activity going on at the back of our building in the Mechanic's Garage. A few buses are recieving some minor last minute mechanical adjustments, while other buses are awaiting more detailed mechanical attention due to recent breakdowns.

I am a Paratransit Driver by trade, and I enjoy My career as a handicapped bus operator. It is a very rewarding experience helping others daily.

Looking north on State Street in downtown Chicago. Chicago Illinois USA. Early September 2006.

I took this photo one afternoon, in early September of 2006. Labor Day weekend has just passed, and the official last days of summer are being counted down pending the arrival of Autum very soon. I took this photo looking out of My cars front windshield in heavy downtown traffic. We are looking north on State Street on a lovely day towards the end of Summer.

Silent Digital Video: Eastbound CTA Route # 78 Montrose Avenue bus. Chicago Illinois USA. April 2007.

I photographed this digital live sound video, one afternoon in April of 2007. We are on the northside of the city of Chicago Illinois, at the intersection of West Montrose and North Lincoln Avenues. The eastbound Chicago Transit Authority Route # 78 Montrose Avenue bus, is viewed departing. The assigned bus today, is a 1990's era Flxible Metro.

Riding on the open observation deck. O'Leary's Fire Truck Tours. Chicago Illinois USA. Tuesday, July 14th 2009.

One of the more unusual sightseeing buses I have ridden on, is this former 1965 Mack fire pumper truck originally from Long Island New York. Long since retired from service as a fire engine, the previous owner Chicago Trolley Company, modified this vechicle with school bus seats, safety side railings and a canopy on top of what was originally the hose deck.

On Tuesday night, July 14th 2009...I got together with a group of friends and went for a ride aboard O'Leary's Fire Truck Tours of Chicago. It was a fun, exciting and very unique experience. I highly recommend it! We had a great time that night.

For more information, contact O'Leary's Fire Truck Tours at 1-312 287 6565.

Pace route # 307 bus idling at the north terminal. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo on a cold and damp overcast winter afternoon, in January of 2007. Parked along the east side of the Elmwood Park Public Library at the village's Conti Parkway Circle, a soon to be southbound Pace # 307 Harlem Avenue bus idles between runs. The bus driver is taking a much needed break on this quiet Sunday afternoon.

Mario's Italian Lemonade on West Taylor Street. Chicao Illinois USA. Tuesday, July 14th 2009.

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

Are You looking for a really good place for cool summertime refreshments in Chicago?
One place that I can very highly recommend going to, is Mario's Italian Lemonade on West Taylor Street in Chicago's Little Italy neighborhood. I have been going here on and off since the 1970's. This family operated business, has been here at this location since 1954.

This is located just a couple of blocks east of West Taylor Street and South Racine Avenue, just west of downtown Chicago Illinois, near the University of Illinois Circle Campus. They close after Labor Day, so please don't hesitate and get Your refreshments soon. A local Chicago are summertime neighborhood treet. Mmmmmmm.

Digital Live Sound Video: Westbound CTA blue line train. Chicago Illinois USA. June 2009.

I photographed this digital live sound video after work ine evening, in June of 2009.
We are looking west from the Canfield Road overpass bridge over the Illinois U.S Route # I-90 Kennedy Expressway near Park Ridge Illinois during rush hour. A westbound Chicago Transit Authority blue line rapid transit train, heads for the west terminal at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport at Rosemont Illinois.

Eastbound Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad freight train. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. May 2008.

I took this photo on a quiet Sunday afternoon in May of 2008. We are on location at the 73rd Avenue railroad crossing in near northwest suburban Elmwood Park Illinois. An eastbound Iowa, Chicago & Eastern freight train disturbs the silence with engine blocks rumbling under heavy load conditions, and the clickity clack of several freight cars in tow.

A truck from the Illinois Railway Museum's Building and Grounds Department at work. Friday, July 3rd 2009.

A very important and not often photographed part of the operations at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union Illinois, are the many maintenance and support vechicles that are utilized by the museum's volunteers and staff. This orange pick up truck, was viewed parked at one of the worksites on the grounds of the museum. The Illinois Railway Museum wouldn't be the great place that it is, without the help, co operation and equipment to maintain the establishment and keep it the pleasant family style place it is.

Thank You IRM for a job well done.

Eddie K

40 foot F.B.O.X box car in transit. Franklin Park Illinois USA. Thursday. June 18th 2009.

I took this photo after work around sunset, on Thursday, June 18th 2009. During the 1970's and 1980's...There was a boxcar leasing pool company known as "Railbox" that had used the same style of colors and markings as this example from F.B.O.X.
I believe that this may be the succesor company. I am not really sure, but I would most definately like to hear from somebody who may be an insider on this one.

This boxcar was entering Franklin Park Illinois, aboard a westbound slow moving Canadian Pacific freight train.

Fellow railfans meet at the Eisenhower Public Library. Harwood Heights Illinois USA. Saturday, June 27th 2009.

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

This photo of one of lifes very special moments, was taken at the Eisenhower Public Library in north suburban Harwood Heights Illinois. The date was a very sunny and warm Saturday afternoon, June 27th 2009. Although My Chicagoland Railfan Photo Slideshow suffered from low attendance, technical difficulties, and didn't go quiete as I had planned it to, I had the distinct honor and pleasure of having the opportunity to meet one of the avid readers and supporters of Eddie's Railfan Page.

After reading and answering many E-Mails and comments from this gentlemen here at Eddie's Railfan Page for the last three years, I finally met Mr. Mike Mirkrut from franklin Park Illinois. Mike had some fascinating stories and bits of information to share with Me that afternoon. We swapped stories, viewed photos, and watched railfan home movies together.

Mike, it was great meeting You. I hope that We have the opportunity again sometime.
Thanks for discovering Eddie's Railfan Page on the internet.

Thank You.
Eddie K.