Sawa's Old Warsaw Polish Smorgasboard Restaurant. Broadview Illinois USA. July 2009.

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I took this photo after work one evening around sunset, in July of 2009. The greater Chicagoland area is known for having many restaurants of different Ethnic backgrounds. A popular restaurant of Eastern European origins, is the Sawa's Old Warsaw Polish Smorgasboard. This eatery is located at the intersection of 22nd Street aka West Cermak Road and 17th Avenue, in west suburban Broadview Illinois.

If You like dining on Polska Kielbasa, Kapusta ( Sour Kraut) Roast pork, Dumplings, Kolaczki's (Jelly Pastries) or Roast Chicken....Then this is the place for You.

Silent Digital Video: Switching a cut of tank cars at the former Illinois Central RR Crawford Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. April 2007.

I photographed this silent digital video one day after work, back in April of 2007. Although the old Illinois Central Railroad's Crawford Yard located east of west suburban Cicero Illinois has been owned by the successor company Canadian National since 1999, one can still find switching activity in this quaint little freight yard. Locomotives from predecessor railroads Grand Trunk western and Illinois Central, are seen working together shoving a large cut of tank cars in to the yard.

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

I took this photo after work one summer evening, in June of 2008. With loud and deep toned airhorns blowing for the crossings, a westbound Canadian National transfer freight train passes through near northwest suburban Elmwood Park Illinois.

Eastbound CTA orange line train approaching South Lawndale Avenue. Chicago Illinois USA. Late January 2007.

I took this photo on a cold but dry winter morning in late January of 2007. I was standing near the intersection of what would be South Lawndale Avenue and approximately West 49th Street. An eastbound Chicago Transit Authority orange line train has just departed from the nearby rapid transit station at Pulaski Road, and is heading for downtown Chicago Illinois. The next stop will be Kedzie Avenue.

Chicago's Kiddieland Amusement Park closing soon!

I took this photo in September of 2006. Seen here looking through the chain link fencing from the east parking lot along 1st Avenue, is the Tilt A Whirl ride inside the amusement park's midway. The official amusement park closing day has been set for Sunday, September 27th 2009. Word has it that many of the rides, food service fixtures, and carnival game prizes...will be auctioned off on the last day.

After being in business at this very location in northwest suburban Melrose Park Illinois since 1928, an era of Chicago family style entertainment is now officially coming to a close.

So long Kiddieland! You will be greatly missed by many Chicagoans.

A large rainbow on South Archer Avenue. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2009.

I took this photo after work on a rainy evening in August of 2009. We are near Chicago's Midway Airport looking east from the Belt Railway of Chicago railroad crossing near South Knox Avenue. The rain has just about stopprd now, and a very large and beautiful rainbow is now appearing in Chicago's Archer Heights neighborhood.

Good Guys wear orange. Eddie K and Southern Pacific # 4449 in Franklin Park Illinois. Saturday, August 1st 2009.

This photo was taken on Saturday, August 1st 2009 in Franklin Park Illinois. Here I am, Your host and photographer standing next to visiting preserved Southern Pacific steam locomotive # 4449. It was a rainy afternoon, but the colorful Daylight painted steam locomotive made up for the gray overcast sky that day.

Digital Live Sound Video: Museum maintenance extra returning to the carbarn. The Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois USA. July 2009,

I photographed this digital live sound video on Friday, July 3rd 2009 at the Illinois Railway Museum. Earlier during My visit, volunteer museum crews were performing routine maintenance and repairs to the museums overhead trolley / catenary wire on the demonstration mainline. Their chores are completed now, and the maintenance extra is viewed returning to the carbarn.

The CTA Linden Avenue yard at twilight time. Wilmette Illinois USA. Early June 2009.

One of the more memorable photographs I had taken in the year of 2009 so far, was this one from early June of 2009 in north suburban Wilmette Illinois. We are looking north from Maple Avenue in to the immediately adjacent Chicago Transit Authority's Linden Avenue purple line terminal. The sun has just set and night time is rapidly approaching. Another day has ended.

A Canadian Pacific Railroad auto rack in transit. Franklin Park Illinois USA. June 2009.

I took this photo after work on Thursday, June 18th 2009. A westbound Canadian Pacific transfer train is viewed traveling slowly through near northwest suburban Franklin Park Illinois around sunset. This auto rack freight car caught My attention, and I felt that it was worth a photograph here at My blogsite.

One of the metal station platform signs at the Amtrak / Metra La Grange Road station. La Grange Illinois USA. July 2009.

I took this photo after work one summer evening, in July of 2009. This standard Meyta issued blue station platform sign, is on the south or eastbound platform at the Metra, La Grange Road commuter rail station wich is also shared by Amtrak.

Eddie K and his 12 speed mountain bicycle in Burbank Illinois. July 1989.

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

I found this old photo of Me recently, that was taken on a hot summer day in July of 1989. Here I am, a 27 year old future host and photographer of Eddie's Railfan Page, out enjoying a fun long distance bike ride in southwest suburban Burbank Illinois.
I did not own My first car yet, and believe it or not got around pretty well on My trusty bike here. I rode cross country style on the weekends, averaging 30 miles round trip. Apparently, I was in really great shape back then too. Hmmmmmmm.

Believe it or not, this was actually Me in this photo.
Where did I go wrong? Ha ha ha!

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Central Illinois Railroad EMD SW 1200 locomotive # 1206 on South Paulina Avenue. Chicago Illinois USA. Friday, October 31st 2008.

I took this photo last Autum in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood on the near southside of the city. The privately owned shortline railroad Central Illinois Railroad, works the industrial switching chores on this former Burlington Northern branchline. Locomotive # 1206 has been painted up in the 1950's color scheme of pre 1070 Burlington Northern predecessor railroad Chicago, Burlington & Quincy. C,B & Q switched this line during the 1960's with EMD switchers in this color scheme.

The westbound Amtrak Illinois Zephyr arriving at the La Grange Road station. La Grange Illinois USA. April 2007.

I took this photo after work on a rainy Springtime evening, in early April of 2007. The westbound Amtrak Illinois Zephyr enroute to Quincy Illinois, is viewed arriving at the La Grange Road Amtrak / Metra commuter rail station in downtown wessuburban La Grange Illinois.

Northbound BNSF Railway light engine movement at Hawthorne Junction. Chicago / Cicero Illinois USA. June 2008.

I took this photo at the Chicago city limits, at the border of west suburban Cicero Illinois one summer evening in June of 2008. A four unit set of BNSF Railway EMD six axel SD series roadswitchers, are viewed heading northbound over the Belt Railway of Chicago tracks through Hawthorne Junction. These locomotives are running light upon returning to the nearby BNSF Railway's Clyde Yard in nearby Cicero Illinois.

Eastbound Metra commuter local. Franklin Park Illinois USA. Late October 2007.

I took this photo one pleasant late Autum morning in near northwest suburban Franklin Park Illinois. Even though most of the local seasonal Autum foliage has been shed by the trees at this time, this local makes a fine sight in the morning sunshine as it passes the adjacent Franklin Park Fire Station to the left of the train.

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

I took this photo on a hot summer morning back in June of 2007. Seen here looking east from the parking lot of a local lumber and building supply depot parking lot, is a northbound BNSF Railway transfer train made up of empty double stack container cars. This train is entering the Indiana Harbor Belt Railway's Argo Yard in southwest suburban Summit Illinois.

Arlington Park horse racing track advertising billboard. Chicago Illinois USA. July 2009.

I took this photo at the Metra, Forest Glen commuter flagstop depot on Chicago's far northwest side. The world famous Arlington Park horse racinmg ytack is located in northwest suburban Arlington Heights Illinois, as is conveniently served by Chicago's Metra commuter rail system.

Digital Live Sound Video: Southbound Metra express commuter train at twilight. Northbrook Illinois USA. Late August 2009.

I photographed this unique digital live sound video after work last night, in north suburban Northbrook Illinois near Glenview. A southbound Metra express commuter train, speeds past the Shermer Road railroad crossing at twilight enroute to Chicago Union Station. This rail line, is the Canadian Pacific's former Milwaukee Road northline to Fox Lake Illinois.

Preserved Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad caboose on display. Tinley Park Illinois USA. June 2008.

I spotted this preserved steam era steel cupola railroad caboose, along the east side of 80th Avenue in south suburban Tinley Park Illinois. Although the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad had quit operating due to bankruptcy in March of 1980, this railroad's mainline went through Tinley Park Illinois nonetheless. This historic Rock Island relic, is now preserved on display in a local city park.

The old steel railroad drawbridge over Bubbly Creek. Chicago Illinois USA. July 2009.

I was traveling westbound on the Illinois U.S Route I #55 Stevenson Expressway one morning in July of 2009, and spotted this unique former steam era railroad drawbridge just east of South Ashland Avenue near Chicago's Bridgeport neighborhood.

This railroad drawbridge, wich has long since ceased being a drawbridge many years ago and lost it's bridge tenders tower in late 2001, spans a portion of the south branch of the Chicago River known as Bubbly Creek. Bubbly Creek near Chicago's port Bridgeport neighborhood on the southside of Chicago, was named as such, as workers from the nearby Union Stockyards dumped unwanted slaughtered livestock body parts in to the water. As the slaughtered animal parts would decompose, gas bubbles would rise to the surface of this waterway. Remember...There was no such thing as the Environmental Protection Agency or polution control standards during Chicago's Victorian era.

This bridge is located adjacent to the Chicago Transit Authority's Ashland Avenue orange line rapid transit station, and still sees many freight trains crossing it today.

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

I took this photo one hot summer morning in July of 2008 during My lunchbreak. Although the regional railroad Wisconsin Central was absorbed through merger by the Canadian National Railroad in recent years, You could still occasionally find a former WC locomotive still rolling around in it's original color scheme and markings. I spotted this one on top of the Lawrence Avenue CN railroad viaduct in near northwest suburban Schiller Park Illinois.

Manufacturers Junction RR interchange local at Hawthorne Junction. Chicago / Cicero Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this "Rare" photo of the Manufacturers Junction Railroad interchange local, on a very sunny but bitterly cold winter morning in January of 2007. The crew of this local train has just picked up a small cut of cars from the nearby Canadian National RR ex Illinois Central, Hawthorne Yard in Cicero Illinois. I took this photo looking west at Hawthorne Junction, located at the Chicago city limits.

Closed for the day, but still looking very inviting nonetheless. Cafe Calbay Restaurant. La Grange Illinois USA. July 2009.

The interior of a New York City "Redbird" subway car under restoration. The Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois USA. Friday, July 3rd 2009.

One of the nice things about visiting a favorite railroad or transportation museum, are finding those occasional opportunities to photograph rare behind the scenes images. Looking through the front vestibule doorway at floor leval, We see restoration work under way on two recently acquired New York City subway cars at the Illinois Railway Museum.

Digital Live Sound Video: Southbound Canadian National freight train crossing Techny Road. Northbrook Illinois USA. Late July 2009.

I photographed this digital live sound video one Summer day, in late July of 2009. A southbound Canadian Pacific heavy freight train, is viewed crossing Techny Road in north suburban Northbrook Illinois. The train is departing from the Metra commuter rail line, and is now proceeding on to the interchange curve connection that connects with the Union Pacific freight only cut off line. Freight train traffic over the Canadian Pacific ex Milwaukee Road "Northline", generally operates north of Northbrook Illinois at this point.

Westbound Burlington Northern freight train. La Grange Illinois USA. June 1986.

I took this photo way back in June of 1986, on location at the La Grange Road railroad crosiing in downtown west suburban La Grange Illinois. Burlington Northern EMD GP-50's in the unique orange and black Tiger Stripe scheme, rumble through town with a heavy freight in tow.

Digital Sound Video: The "New" Lionel / MTH O' guage demonstration model train layout at the Berwyn Toy Trains Hobby Shop. Berwyn Illinois USA. 2009.

A lively and very eye catching addition to the Berwyn Toy Trains Hobby Shop on Ogden Avenue in west suburban Berwyn Illinois, is this O' guage model train layout showcasing products from Lionel and MTH inside the stores showroom. A 3 car Burlington streamlined Zephyr passenger train, waits as a steam powered Western Pacific Railroad freight train passes by.

Northbound Amtrak Hiawatha train preparing for departure. Glenview Illinois USA. April 2009.

I took this photo on an overcast morning in April of 2009. It is a typical cloudy morning in the early Springtime of 2009, as the northbound Amtrak Hiawatha enroute to Milwaukee Wisconsin prepares for departure from the Glenview station.

Eastbound Metra commuter local arriving at the Norwood Park station. Chicago Illinois USA. June 2009.

I took this photo during My lunchtime at the Raven Street railroad crossing, on Chicago's far northwest side. An eastbound Metra commuter local enroute to the Richard B. Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago, (Formerly NorthWestern Station.)Arrives at the Metra, Norwood Park commuter rail station alongside Northwest Highway.

Westbound Canadian National freight train. North Riverside Illinois USA. September 2006.

I took this photo after work one evening, in September of 2006. While I was relaxing outdoors at Commons Park, this westbound Canadian National freight train passed by on the adjacent former Illinois Central RR Iowa Division Mainline near Des Plaines Avenue.

Preserved Southern Pacific steam locomotive # 4449 on display. Franklin Park Illinois USA. Saturday, August 1st 2009.

I took this photo on a rainy and overcast Saturday, August 1st 2009 in near northwest suburban Franklin Park Illinois. Preserved 1941 built Southern Pacific GS-4 class Daylight 4-8-4 # 4449 and operating crew, were enjoying a short visit to the Greater Chicagoland Area. The following day, this locomotive would haul a chartered fantrip special to Milwaukee Wisconsin over the Canadian Pacific Railroad's former Milwaukee Road northline.

Hercules Ice Cream vendors truck. Chicago Illinois USA. June 2009.

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

I have many happy Summertime memorys growing up as a kid here in the Windy City.
One of My all time favorites, was the sound of an approachiong Ice Cream Truck coming down My block back in My old neighborhood, or most anywhere. It just wouldn't be summertime in Chicago without those ice cream vendor trucks in the many Chicago neighborhoods around town. Those repeating electronic music box songs that were delightful to the kids but annoying to the adults, as well as the frozen and very tasty refreshments, made for many happy summertime memorys during My own Childhood.

I spotted this ice cream vendors truck from a local company known as Hercules Ice Cream, traveling northbound on Harlem Avenue near the intersection at West Montrose Avenue at the Chicago city limits near Norridge Illinois.

Digital Live Sound Video: Northbound BNSF Railway transfer train. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2009.

I photographed this digital live sound video, at the South Archer Avenue railroad crossing near Chicago's Midway Airport on a rainy evening around sunset. A northbound BNSF Railway heavy transfer freight train is rounding the interchange curve at nearby 55th Street Junction, and is now approaching the South Archer Avenue railroad crossing on the Belt Railway of Chicago line. It was raining on and off all day, and now the precipitaion was letting up gradually. Notice the large "rainbow" in the background.

The preserved Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee RR 1941 built Electroliner streamlined interurban train. The Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois.

I took this photo from the platform of the preserved Chicago Transit Authority 50th Avenue rapid transit station from Cicero Illinois, at the Illinois Railway Museum.
This view was a daily one for the Electroliner, as it traveled over part of what is now the Chicago Transit Authority's Brown and Red lines during it's career from 1941 to 1963. This train traveled between Chicago Illinois and Milwaukee Wisconsin. After the Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee went out of business due to bankruptcy in 1963, this Electroliner and it's duplicate Twin Electroliner trainset, went to work for the Philadelphia Suburban Transit Company on their high speed Norristown Rapid Transit line. Now retired and occasionally operated at the Illinois Railway Museum, this train has been restored to it's original 1941 Electroliner color scheme.

Eastbound BNSF Railway double stack container train. Riverside Illinois USA. October 2007.

I took this photo on a lovely Autum morning back in October of 2007. A speeding eastbound BNSF Railway double stack container train, is viewed passing through west suburban Riverside Illinois.

Southbound Metra commuter local. Glenview Illinois USA. May 2009.

I took this photo during My lunchbreak one lovely Springtime morning, in May of 2009.
We are looking north from the Dewes Street railroad crossing in north suburban Glenview Illinois, as a southbound Metra commuter local enroute to Chicago Union Station from Fox Lake Illinois departs from the Glenview Amtrak / Metra commuter rail station.

Preserved Chicago Gravel Company 0-6-0 steam locomotive # 18 at sunset. Bensenville Illinois USA. July 2008.

I photographed this image around twilight time, in July of 2008.
Seen here along the north side of Main Street just east of the intersection of Church Road in northwest suburban Bensenville Illinois, is preserved 0-6-0 steam switching type locomotive # 18 from the Chicago Gravel Company. On display here in Veteran's Park since 1961, the setting sun adds to the locomotives timeless looks and superstructural lines. This locomotive was built by ALCO in 1922.

Polumbo Brother's antique construction equipment on display. Hillside Illinois USA. September 2006.

I took this photo around twilight one evening, in September of 2006. Seen here on the west side of Manheim Road / Illinois U.S Routes # 12 and #45, just north of the intersection of West 22nd Street aka Cermak Road...is this display of antique vintage construction equipment. A 1920's era chain driven Mack dump truck, shares a pedestool with a 1950's era diesel powered shovel boom crane. These were used in quarry mining operations.

Eastbound Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad freight train. Roselle Illinois USA. September 2007.

I took this photo one late summer mornning, in September of 2007. An eastbound Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad freight train, is viewed passing through the Roselle Illinois, Metra commuter rail station.

Silent Digital Video: CSX Transportation Company switching local at work. Forest Park Illinois USA. June 2007.

I photographed this unique silent digital video with My old digital camera, one hot summer morning in June of 2007. We are looking west from the South Harlem Avemue / Illinois U.S Route # 43 overpass bridge in west suburban Forest Park Illinois. Two EMD roadswitcher locomotives from the railrioad known as CSX Transportation Company, are seen shoving a cut of covered hoppers westbound to the nearby Ferrara Pan Candy Company spur siding.

The Franklin Park , Metra commuter rail station at twilight. Franklin Park Illinois USA. June 2008.

I took this photo just after sunset one quiet summer evening, in June of 2008. This is the Franklin Park Illinois , Metra commuter rail station at the intersection of 25th and Pacific Avenues, in near northwest suburban Franklin Park Illinois. It was a quiet period between freight trains and Metra commuter runs with night approaching. This would end soon as the freight train traffic would start flowing in and out of nearby Bensenville Yard.

The Kiddieland Amusement Park train at night. Melrose Park Illinois USA. September 2006.

I took this photo at night one evening in September of 2006, at Chicago's Kiddieland Amusement Park in northwest suburban Melrose Park Illinois. 2009 has been announced as Kiddieland;s "Last" season of operation. The park is to officially close for good on Sunday, September 27th 2009. Images like this will soon be lost forever.
Please get those historic photos and vudeos while You can before it's too late.

Historic Chicago electric streetcars at the Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois USA. June 2001.

I took this photo during a June 2001 visit to the Illinois Railway Museum. Seen here at the Depot Street shelter stop on the museum;s circular shuttle trolley line, are two red vintage electric powered streetcars from the city of Chicago Illinois.

Digital Live Sound Video: Northbound Metra commuter train. Morton Grove Illinois USA. August 2009.

I photographed this digital live sound video after work one day, in August of 2009. Seen here traveling northbound along the east side of Lehigh Avenue just south of the intersection of Beckwith Road in north suburban River Grove Illinois, is a Metra evening rush hour commuter train enroute to Fox Lake Illinois. On the head end, is a unique 1974 vintage EMD model F-40C. Only the former Milwaukee Road had owned these.

Chicago's Mars, Metra commuter rail flagstop depot. Chicago Illinois USA. June 2009.

A local Chicago neighborhood commuter flagstop depot with a really out of this world sort of a name, is the tiny Mars depot on North Oak Park Avenue. This depot only services a handful of rush hour local commuter trains. This depot is uniquely named as such, as it is located immediately next to the M&M Mars Candy Company.

A former Burlington Northern 1970's era covered hopper car in tow. River Grove Illinois USA. May 2009.

I took this photo at the Thatcher Avenue railroad crossing in near northwest suburban River Grove Illinois. Seen here traveling aboard an eastbound Canadian Pacific transfer freight train, is an old 1970's era covered hopper from the BNSF Railway's predecessor railroad Burlington Northern. I love the opportunity to photograph these relics from fallen flag railroads that are still rolling around many years after the fact.

An Amtrak rebuilt Amfleet,Coachclass car. Glenview Illinois USA. April 2009.

I took this photo during My lunchbreak one overcast morning in April of 2009.
Seen here waiting in the Glenview Illinois Amtrak / Metra commuter rail station, is the northbound Amtrak Hiawatha regional passenger train enroute to Milwaukee Wisconsin. The curved sided coach shown here, is a rebuilt 1970's era Amfleet coach.

A rainy sunset on South Archer Avenue. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2009.

I took this photo after work one rainy evening, in August of 2009.

We are looking west on South Archer Avenue just east of the intersection at Knox Avenue near Chicago's Midway Airport. It has been raining on and off all day with a few periods of thundershowers. The clouds have began to this out a little and make room for some late day sunset activity. Another day is coming to an end here in the Windy City, in a very colorful and glistening way.

Before there were buses on Chicago's city streets, people traveled the transit routes by electric streetcars. The Illinois Railway Museum.

Before and after the invention of the internal combustion engine, people traveled across and around their citties in North America by electric streetcars. The various routes operated by the public transit companys, were often refered to as "trolley Lines" due to theoverhead trolley wire hanging over the streets. Chicago operated their electric streetcars until 1958. Seen here on display, is a Chicago Surface Lines 1936 vintage "Modern" streamlined electric streetcar. These cars were designed by a group appointed by then U.S President Franklin D. Roosevelt known as the "president's Conference Commitee". It was an attempt to lure people back on to using public transit, as the personal automobile was rapidly taking over and public transit companys were losing money.

Although not operable and still quiete a ways off from a complete restoration, CSL 1936 PCC streetcar # 4021 makes a fine display. It has been restored to it's original CSL 1936 "Blue Goose" color scheme.

Digital Live Sound Video: Two Metra evening rush hour commuter trains passing side by side at the Galewood depot.Chicago Illinois USA. March 2009

I photographed this digital live sound video one overcast afternoon, in early March of 2009. With airhorns blowing, two Metra evening rush hour commuter trains, pass each other side by side at the Galewood flagstop depot on North Narragansett Avenue.

The Oakton Street CTA Yellow line pedestrian crossing gates. Skokie Illinois USA. August 2007.

I took this photo during My lunchbreak one late morning in August of 2007. We are on location along the northside of Oakton Street in north suburban Skokie Illinois. Seen here in the upright position between train times, is one of a few short pedestrian crossing gates gaurding the sidewalks at the CTA Yellow line / Skokie Swift railroad crossing.

Southbound CSX Transportation Company intermodal transfer train at Brighton Junction. (Gone -Rebuilt) Chicago Illinois USA. October 2006.

I took this photo on an overcast Autum morning, in October of 2006. For many years in the city of Chicago, Brighton Junction located near South Archer and Western Avenues was a place were modern double stack container trains met yesterdays steam era Semaphore signals. Seen here in it's last Autum before closing and rebuilding to automated signaling in July of 2007, this junction was definately Classic ifnot Outdated railroading on Chicago's southwest side.

Westbound Metra commuter local heads in to the sunset. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. September 2007.

I took this photo one evening around sunset, back in September of 2007. A westbound Metra evening rush hour commuter local, has just left the Elmwood Park station and is now on arrival to the next train station stop in nearby River Grove Illinois.
This train was photographed just northwest of the diagonal railroad crossing on Grand Avenue.

Late night landscaping and maintenance contractors at work on the east side of Chicago city hall. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2008.

I took this photo in downtown Chicago Illinois, around midnight in August of 2008.
This is what was happening in downtown Chicago while You may have been sleeping.
Contract maintenance and landscaping workers, are seen taking good care of the plant life along the east side of Chicago city hall on North Clark Street.

Digital Live Sound Video: Northbound Amtrak Hiawatha speeding through Northbrook Illinois. Early August 2009.

I photographed this digital live sound video during My lunchbreak, one morning in early August of 2009. A speeding northbound Amtrak Hiawatha train enroute to Milwaukee Wisconsin, is viewed at the Techny Road railroad crossing in North suburban Northbrook Illinois.

Central Illinois Railroad # 1206 backing across South Canalport Avenue. Chicago Illinois USA. Friday, October 31st 2008.

I took this photo in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood near South Canalport Avenue and West Cermak Road. The privately owned and operated shortline Central Illinois Railroad, was holding a special "Open House" public relations event for railfan photographers. Seen here is Central Illinois Railroad # 1206, wich was just repainted in to the 1950's era color scheme of predecessor railroad Chicago, Burlington & Quincy. The old C,B & Q had switched this industrial railroad line prior to 1970, with various EMD switcher locomotives in this particular color scheme.

Two eastbound trains meet at Cicero Avenue. Cicero Illinois USA. September 2007.

I took this photo looking east from the west suburban Cicero Illinois, Metra commuter rail station near Cicero Avenue, back in September of 2006. An eastbound Metra commuter train enroute to Chicago Union Station from Aurora Illinois, passes two slow moving BNSF Railway locomotives running light and leaving Clyde Yard.

The Belt Railway of Chicago locomotive shop at Clearing Yard. Bedford Park Illinois USA. July 2007.

I took this photo after work one late summer afternoon, in July of 2007.
Seen here are two Canadian National Railroad owned EMD roadswitchers, heading to the ready tracks out of view to the right of the photograph after being serviced.

The Western Springs, Metra commuter rail station at sunset. Western Springs Illinois USA. September 2006.

I took this photo after work one evening around sunset, back in September of 2006.
A westbound Metra commuter local enroute to Aurora Illinois traveling over the BNSF Railway 3 track mainline, stops to pick up and disembark passengers as another day comes to a close in Chicago's western suburbs.