"LAZY DAY" ~ SPANKY and OUR GANG" 1967 HQ AUDIO

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

I grew up in Chicago during the 1960's and 70's era.

Now that Chicago's nasty "Polar Vortex" winter of 2014 is long gone, and spring
is getting ready to transition to summer pretty soon, here is one of my personal
favorites amongst the many songs I grew up with during the late 1960's.

From 1967, here is an American vocal recording group known as "Spanky and our Gang"
performing their big hit from 1967 "Lazy day".

Thanks.
Eddie K.

North Shore Line 1945

1970's era American railroad covered hopper cars.

 

I took this photograph last week at the Oak Park Society of Model

Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club, located in west suburban

Oak Park Illinois.

 

I grew up in the city of Chicago Illinois during the 1960's and 70's era, and

this is the period I enjoy modeling in H.O Scale.

 

A Walter's Mainline series Burlington Northern Railroad 50 foot 'Airslide"

covered hopper, is viewed coupled to an orange Illinois Central Gulf 54

foot covered hopper, on a period freight train that I was operating.

 

I can't physically bring back the 1970's, but I can recreate it in miniature, and

make up for some of those "Missed" railfan photo opportunities from the days

before I ever owned my first camera when I was a teenager.

 

Thanks.

Eddie K.

Industrial Steam Railways

A 1970's era Rock Island commuter train in H.O Scale heading inbound. (Reverse.)

 

I took this photograph last night, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,

H.O Scale Model Railroad Club, located in Oak Park Illinois.

 

An everday scene for many years in Chicago's south and far southwest suburbs,

were the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad commuter trains, that operated

between downtown Chicago and Joliet Illinois.

 

A red 1970's era Rock Island commuter train, passes by on the club layout.

 

"Next stop....Blue Island" Blue Island next stop!"

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

 

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

 

I took this photograph last year, during my June 2013 vacation to San Diego California.

 

The San Diego Zoo, is a really large attraction worth visiting, however..it has got to

be five times the size of Chicago's Brookfield Zoo. The zoo's walking terrain, is mostly

uphill and downhill. It is very rugged to say the least.

 

A nice way to see and enjoy the San Diego Zoo, is aboard one of the zoo's unique

very open air double deck sightseeing shuttle buses. Me and My lovely wife

Cheryl, enjoyed a nice ride on top of the upper deck.

 

Thanks.

Eddie K.

Saint Louis Public Service Company 1950's era GM bus. Saint Louis Missouri. 1968.

 

I found this vintage General Motors transit bus photograph at my

Link page Northern California Bus Fans, which is located to

the right of your computer screen at www.norcalbusfans.com

 

A standard model of transit bus found in most American cities beginning in

1945, and lasting in to the 1970's in some places, was the General Motors

pre 1959 "Old Look" standard models. With their classic rounded contours,

 and standee windows, these buses were an American icon from post war times.

 

This classic 1950's era GM bus from the Saint Louis Public Service Company

of Saint Louis Missouri, may have been one of the late 1950's era models, as it is

equipped with an early model of a roof top transit bus air conditioning system.

 

This photograph was taken in 1968.

San Diego Consolidated School District International school bus. San Diego California. June 2013.

 

I took this photograph last year, during my June 2013 vacation to San Diego California.

 

San Diego Consolidated School District operates and maintains a nice fleet of flat front

International school buses with yellow wheels. This school bus is viewed passing

through downtown San Diego California, near the waterfront.

BusFan TV: 1953 GMC TDM-4512 "Old Look" ex-PSCT G572 Goes For a Spin at ...

Entering the front door of a 2014 Ford E 450 Super Duty paratransit mini bus. Glenview Illinois. May 2014.

 

This is a sight that greets me everyday, during my mandatory pre trip commercial vehicle inspection.

Toronto TTC Early 1980s

Here is a nice public transportation silent home movie from Toronto Ontario Canada.

This was photographed during the early 1980's, on the Toronto Transit Commision system.

A University of Chicago Ford paratransit mini bus. Glenview Illinois. May 2014.

A Chicago Transit Authority Route # 52 / Kedzie-California bus waiting in the south terminal at South Kedzie Avenue and West 63rd Place. Chicago Illinois. November 1989.

 

I took this 35 mm black and white photograph, way back in November of 1989.

 

We are at the Chicago Transit Authority bus terminal loop on South Kedzie Avenue and West 63rd Place, in Chicago's Marquette Park neighborhood on the southwest side of Chicago.

 

CTA bus # 4119, a 1985 M.A.N 40 foot transit bus assigned to the CTA Route # 52 /

Kedzie-California Avenue bus line, is viewed idling between runs at the boarding island.

Construction of the Chicago Transit Authority's orange line rapid transit to Midway Airport. Chicago Illinois. Early March 1989.

 

I took this photograph, way back in early March of 1989.

 

We are along the west side of South Pulaski Road facing east, at

approximately West 51st Street in Chicago's West Elsdon

neighborhood near Chicago's Midway Airport.

 

Construction crews have recently began removing the rails from the

recently abandoned Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad's Stock Yards branch.

 

This photo location, is immediately south of Curie High School.

Operating a Vulcan Iron Works 0-4-0T Steam Locomotive

A blue Boston & Maine Railroad cupola caboose. Albany New York USA. November 1986. Karl Greffchen photograph.

 

I found this photograph at my Link page Fallen Flags.Org, which is located

to the right of your computer screen at www.rr-fallenflags.org

 

One of my all time favorite railroad color schemes, is the modernized

blue and black with white corporate logo from the former Boston & Maine

Railroad, which had served the northeastern United States.

 

This attractive blue Boston & Maine Railroad cupola caboose, was

photographed by railfan Karl Greffchen at Albany New York way

back in November of 1986.

                                                              I really like this one!

                                                                   Thanks Karl

                                                                    Eddie K.

Green Hornet Streetcar in Kenosha, July 28, 2007

An early 1980's era Illinois Central Gulf Railroad freight train in H.O Scale.

 

I took this photograph last night, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,

H.O Scale Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois.

 

Two recent additions to my collection of H.O Scale railroad rolling stock are

seen here approaching the Missisippi River lift bridge on the club layout.

 

Leading the train is my recently purchased and heavily modified second

hand custom painted Atlas EMD SD 35 roadswitcher locomotive. The -

engine is painted in the dark gray and orange color scheme introduced by

the former Illinois Central Gulf way back in 1980. The ICG's orange and

white color scheme introduced by the Illinois Central in 1967, was prone

to fading and grime. It did not weather very well in the long run, and

the ICG decided to start painting some of their locomotives in this unique

and somewhat ugly color scheme. It was useful and utilitarian, but ugly.

 

Trailing the engine is my recently purchased Walter's Mainline Series late

1970's era blue Conrail 50 foot box car. I don't always model the 1960's

and 70's era in H.O Scale all the time either.

                                                                    Thanks.
                                                                   Eddie K.

A picture postcard of a late 1970's era Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad local freight train.

 

The locomotive is wearing the Rock Island's 1974 light blue modernized

color scheme. This was the final Rock island color scheme.

Be sure to check out my "New" Facebook photo discussion page "North Side Chicago".

Two trains meet at Galewood depot. Chicago IL. May 2010.

An Athearn H.O Scale model of a 1960's era Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad 40 foot pulpwood flatcar.

I took this photograph recently,at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale
Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois.

One of my favorite Chicago railroads from my own childhood I fondly remember, was the former
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. Although this railroad became the Burlington Northern
Railroad on March 2nd, 1970, when they had merged with the Great Northern, The Northern Pacific,
and the Spokane, Portland & Seatle railroads.

The C,B & Q introduced this bright red color scheme with white graphics in 1959. This color
scheme is one of my favorites I recall when I was a little boy during the 1960's, and also for
many years after the merger, as many rolled around in to the 1980's before ever reaching the paint shop.

Pizza slices anyone? Carmen's Pizza. 6568 North Sheridan Road in Chicago's Rogers Park neighborhood. March 2007.

 

 

Before I became a paratransit bus operator, I used to work as an outside sales rep.

 

One place that I always enjoyed doing business with, was a cozy neighborhood

pizzeria restaurant in Chicago's Roger's Park neighborhood known as

Carmen's Pizza.  The manager and staff that worked here, were some of the nicest

and kindest people I knew back then. Their pizza was pretty good as well.

 

I was always up for a pizza slice or two to go whenever I would visit here.

 

Thanks.

Eddie K.

Selfkantbahn Metre Gauge Railway July 2013

The New York Central Railroad's 1960's era black and white color scheme with the NYC corporate "Cigar Band" logo.

 Like many of my fellow Chicago area railfans, I have always been fascinated
by the former New York Central Railroad.

I was only 5 going on 6 years of age, when the New York Central and the Pennsylvania
railroads had merged, and became the Penn Central Railroad in January of 1968.

I spotted this model of a Lionel O27 gauge model of a New York central Alco s series
yard switcher diesel electric locomotive on the internet.

The New York Central introduced this color scheme and cigar band logo during the late
1950's. Several locomotives from the New York Central's own Chicago subsidiary railroad
Indiana Harbor Belt, rolled around in this color scheme in to the mid 1980's.

I have always enjoyed this particular New York Central color scheme.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Eddie starts up a "New" Facebook photo page and discussion group entitled "North Side Chicago"!

 

Hi everyone!

 

This is Eddie K, your host and photographer here at Eddie's Railfan Page.

 

For all the readers of Eddie's Railfan Page who are also avid and very regular viewers

of the many Facebook photo and discussion groups, I started a new one up today for

your reading and viewing enjoyment.

 

If you had grown up on the "North Side" of Chicago, the north or northwest suburbs, and

have photographs and happy memories to share...then feel free to check out my "New"

Facebook photo and group discussion page entitled "North Side Chicago'.

 

If you grew up in Logan Square, Portage Park, Cragin, Avondale or any number of

north side Chicago neighborhoods or the surrounding north or northwest suburban

communities, then this page is for you.

 

Although I was born and raised on the near southwest side of Chicago, I had family

and friends on the north side of the windy city, and visited many places in this part of the

city as well.

 

Welcome aboard.

Thanks.

Eddie K.

Picking up a delicious Friday night Pizza to go at Dino's Pizza on West Higgins Avenue. Chicago Illinois.Friday, May 16th, 2014.

 

Work is through at the end of the day, the paycheck is cashed, and now

it's time for some really great pizza to take home tonight. Oh- Yeeeaaah!

Juke Box selections at the Hala Kahiki Lounge. River Grove Illinois. May 2014.

A late 1950's era Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe local freight train enters the tunnel.

 

Photographed at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale

Model Railroad Club.  Oak Park Illinois.  May 2014.

Standard American railroad box cars from the sometimes colorful 1950's era.

I took this photograph last week, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale
Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois.

For many years, American railroad boxcars pretty much wore a standard rusty brown or
dark red solid color scheme, with either bold markings or very small ones. During the
1950's and 60's era, some railroads actually began experimenting with brighter colors
and stylized markings to modernize their image.

Seen here are two H.O Scale models of these boxcars wearing these colorful period markings
and color schemes. To the left is a model of a 40 foot box car from the Chicago & NorthWestern
Railroad in the green and yellow color scheme, promoting their "400" name train Streamliner
passenger trains, which advertised travel to the twin cities as being" 400 miles in 400 minutes."

The car to the right is a model of a 50 foot single sliding door prototype for the New York Central
Railroad, wearing the bright bold Jade green and black color scheme, with the NYC "Cigar Band"
style logo introduced during the late 1950's.

Thanks.
Eddie K.
 

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

First Transit takes delivery of "New" 2014 Ford E 450 paratransit mini buses. Glenview Illinois. Friday, May 9th, 2014.

                                   After several months...the rumors became true.

        First Transit began taking delivery of several new 2014 model Ford E 450 Super Duty
        paratransit mini buses, at their North Cook garage facility in north suburban Glenview
        Illinois on Friday, May 9th, 2014.

        The new buses burn unleaded gasoline fuel, operate very quietly, have superior acceleration,
         are two feet longer, and are 10 feet , 6 inches in height.  The older diesel Ford paratransit
         mini buses acquired by First Transit in 2008 and 2009, will be gradually phased out due to
         age and various mechanical and dependability issues.

                                                                          Thanks.
                                                                           Eddie K.
 

A scene right out of the 1950's in H.O Scale.

 

I took this photograph recently, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers

H.O Scale Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois..

 

My 1950's era Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad switching local,

passes a 1950's era Flxible Flyer intercity motor coach and

early 1950's era taxi cab on the urban viaduct.

SEPTA 1970 GMC Fishbowl #4300 and 1974 Flxible New Look #6569 at Cornwel...

Roy Clark "Thank God And Greyhound"

Eastbound Chicago Transit Authority Route # 51 / 51st ACF Brill electric trolleybus. Photographed on West 51st Street near South California Avenue. Chicago Illinois circa 1950's.

 

I found this historic 1950's era Chicago Transit Authority electric

trolleybus photograph at my Link page Tom's Trolleybus Pictures,

which is located to the right of your computer screen at

www.trolleybuses.net.

 

The Chicago Transit Authority was formed in 1945, but did not begin

operations until November 1st, 1947.  One of the first orders of CTA

business for the new company, was the replacement of electric streetcars

on surface transit routes, with cost effective and efficient transit buses.

 

On the southside of Chicago, the CTA's Route # 51 / 51st -Lake Park

transit route, was converted to bus operation in May of 1948. An extra

overhead wire was added to the existing overhead wires from the recent

electric streetcar era that ended, and electric trolleybuses would then

serve this line beginning on June 20th, 1948, and was converted to diesel

and propane bus operation on June 21st, 1959.

 

In this photograph, an eastbound CTA 1948 ACF Brill electric trolleybus,

is viewed across the street from the huge Central Steel and Wire Works

plant near South California Avenue, in Chicago's Elsdon neighborhood

during the early 1950's.

Emergency! intro

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

One of my all time favorite television shows I enjoyed watching when I was
growing up in Chicago during the 1970's, was the prime time television drama
"Emergency".

This program which featured actors Kevin Tighe and Randolph Mantooth playing
Los Angeles County Firemen / Paramedics Roy De Sote and John Gage, gave real
people that work as everyday emergency first responders some much needed credit
and appreciation.

I can watch this program anytime I want now, because me and my lovely wife
Cheryl, have a few boxed sets of this on DVD.

We both grew up watching this tv show, and we both are still big fans of it today.
Emergency aired from 1972 until 1979.

Thanks.
Eddie K.

Westbound C P freight at sunset. Elmwood Park IL. Mar 2012.

The Shell convenience gasoline station at North Harlem and West Higgins Avenues during the 5:00 AM hour. Chicago Illinois. May 2014.

 

I took this photograph one morning last week, during my commute to work.

 

A sight that greets me every morning, is the brightly lit and well maintained

Shell convenience gasoline station at the southwest corner of North Harlem

and West Higgins Avenues on the northwest side of Chicago near Harwood

Heights Illinois.

 

This is how the Shell gas station looks like around daybreak.

Rapid Express is now LEO Express - RaillyNews

A late 1950's era Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad local freight train crossing the Missisippi River.

 

I took this photograph last night, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers

H.O Scale Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois.

 

In a Midwest scene right out of the late 1950's, My Bachman model of an

American Locomotive Company (Alco) model S 4 yard switcher diesel -

electric locomotive decorated in 1950's era Santa Fe colors, pulls a train

of period freight cars across the Missisippi River lift bridge on the club layout.

 

Fellow club member Hal, had just assembled and added that bridge operators building on top of the bridge recently. All the hard work and dedication on behalf of my fellow club members, has helped to make this scene very believable.

 

Thanks.

Eddie K.

Outdoor roller blading fun. May 2014.

Southbound Metra Northern Central line commuter train. Des Plaines Illinois. May 2014.

W B CTA green line train. Chicago IL. June 2007.

Athearn H.O Scale Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad 250 Ton steam wrecking crane.

 

Hi everyone!  This is Eddie K, your host and photographer here

at Eddie's Railfan Page.   (A Chicago area transportation site.)

 

I am an avid H.O Scale model railroader myself. Although I mostly

model 1960's and 70's era American freight trains, like the ones

I grew up seeing first hand in Chicago many years ago, I am

starting to develop a little bit of an interest in the non revenue

maintenance of way equipment, as well as the specialized heavy

cranes and equipment used to clear train derailment sites.

 

In the years and days before specialized outside firms like Hulcher Rail

Services ever existed, railroads often performed their own clean ups and

repair operations, and housed several pieces of heavy equipment at most

any system terminal.

 

The 250 ton steam crane shown here, was a very specialized heavy piece

of equipment used to clean up disaster and derailment sites. These were

important pieces of heavy equipment to have on hand..."Just in case."

 

These cranes actually spent most of their time in storage. They were

expensive to operate, and were only used as rarely needed. Diesel

and electric powered wrecking cranes eventually replaced the steam

models, however several steam derricks lasted in to the 1970's on

some railroads, as they were good usable machinery.

 

This Athearn model, is painted in the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe's

1960's era blue and yellow billboard color scheme, which had replaced

the previous all black color scheme.

 

Some wrecking cranes, can be found at the Illinois Railway museum

in Union Illinois www.irm.org, as well as several other railroad museums

across America.

 

I am seriously thinking about adding one of these models to my H.O roster.

 

Thanks.

Eddie k.

Paris Metro Subway System Metro de Paris

Bangor And Aroostook Railroad EMD NW 2 yard switcher diesel locomotive # 20. Derby Maine. September 1968.

I found this classic east coast North American late 1960's era photograph at my Link page
Fallen Flags.Org, which is located to the right of your computer screen at the URL address
www.rr-fallenflags.org

For many years, the classic first generation EMD end cab diesel switcher locomotives, were
an everyday sight on most any North American or Canadian railroad.

Although mostly seen moving back and forth switching cars at terminals, assembling or
disassembling freight train consists in freight yards, or switching passenger cars at -
large city railroad passenger terminals, these locomotives also picked up and delivered freight
cars from industrial spur sidings, as well as worked on non revenue maintenance of way trains
and even performed shop switching at locomotive and freight car repair facilities.

These locomotives were eventually replaced from their original duties, as freight trains
became longer and heavier.  many found second and third careers later working for a -
number of shortline railroads, private industries, and in some cases, "Tourist railroads."

Bangor And Aroostook EMD NW 2 yard switcher diesel electric locomotive # 20, is viewed
working what appears to be a switching local freight train in Derby Maine, during September
of 1968.

Big Train (From Memphis) John Fogerty with Lyrics

A westbound BNSF Railway freight train passing through Riverside Illinois on a very cold and snowy day. December 2013.

 

I took this photograph one Saturday afternoon, back in December of 2013.

 

With sharp winds and blowing snow, a westbound BNSF Railway auto rack

train, passes through west suburban Riverside Illinois in a holiday Christmas

card scene. It was bitterly cold outside, I froze taking this photograph. Being

a true Chicago railfan, I can honestly say..."It was worth it."

 

Thanks.

Eddie K.

Grand Trunk Western Railroad EMD SW 1200 yard switcher # 1513 idling at the GTW Elsdon Yard locomotive terminal. Chicago Illinois. October 29th, 1977. J.R Quinn. hotograph.

 

I found this photograph at my Link page Fallen Flags.Org, which is

located to the right of your computer screen at www.rr-fallenflags.org

 

I immediately recognized this old steam era southside Chicago railroad

locomotive servicing terminal. Wearing the pre 1972 black and red color

scheme from the parent railroad company Canadian National, is GTW

EMD SW 1200 yard switcher diesel electric locomotive # 1513.

 

This locomotive is idling on the ready tracks, at the GTW Elsdon Yard

site, just immediately west of the 1914 built Elsdon roundhouse which

was located on the west side of South Kedzie Avenue, at approximately

West 49th Street.

 

This facility as well as Elsdon yard, was closed by the GTW in October

of 1983, and sat disused and abandoned until demolished in January of 1988.

 

Thanks.

Eddie K.

HOn3 Roundhouse 2-8-0 "C21" Outside frame "Bitolinha" demo with Soundtra...

An Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Alco S 4 yard switcher pulling a 1950's and early 1960's era freight train.

 

I took this photograph last week, at the Oak Park Society of  Model

Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois.

 

In a scene out of the late 1950's and early 1960's era American

railroading , my Bachman H.O scale model of an Alco model

S 4 yard switcher diesel electric locomotive wearing 1950's

era Santa Fe colors and markings, pulls a typical freight train

of those times complete with brown box cars on the club layout.

Florida East Coast Railroad EMD GP 7 # 676. Jacksonville Florida. April 1968.

 

Our last photograph on today's posting of Eddie's Railfan Page, comes

to us today from sunny Florida. Ah yes, the sunshine state.

 

I spotted this photograph at my Link page Fallen Flags.Org,  which is

located to the right of your computer screen at www.rr-fallenflags.org

 

Seen here on a bright and sunny springtime day in April of 1968, is

Florida East Coast Railroad EMD GP 7 diesel electric roadswitcher

locomotive # 676, idling at Jacksonville Florida.

 

Thanks.

Eddie .

Seasonal paddle boat rentals return to Lake Park. Des Plaines Illinis. May 2014.

 

Hurraa-aaaay! It's finally springtime again!

Where the heck is that loud airhorn sound coming from?

 

I took this photograph today at work, as I was heading out on my morning lunch break.

 

I had just turned on to Chestnut Avenue in Glenview Illinois from Johns Drive, when

I head this loud "Obnoxious" air horn blasting in the distance. Although the railroad -

crossing gates were still in the up position, a convoy of self propelled railroad vehicles

were soon spotted crossing Chestnut Avenue, enroute to a job site somewhere on the

Metra / Milwaukee District north line.

The Three Karaoke Stooges at Mike O'Donnel's Pub. Franklin Park Illinois. Saturday, May 3rd, 2014.

 

This is what happens when three good friends who at some point or another

had hosted live amature karaoke singing shows, get together after a long absence.

 

To the left of the photograph is my now retired show hosting buddy Billee Blue,

who has since remarried, and moved to Branson Missouri. Behind me in the rear,

is another wonderful friend Billy Andrews / aka "The Wolfman", who happens

to be the Saturday night karaoke host at Mike O'Donnel's Pub. Me? Heck! I'm

the man in the black Chicago Blackhawks T shirt joining in the fun.

 

I used to host karaoke on an "On Again -Off Again" basis, mostly doing private

parties during the 1990's and early 2000's. I was an occasional "Guest Host"

for awhile at a local northside Chicago neighborhood tavern, when the club's

regular weekly K J couldn't make it to work some nights.

 

Billee Blue hails from Hammond Indiana, and for many years was a popular

local northwest Indiana and southside Chicago karaoke host and DJ.

 

Billy Andrews ,"The Wolfman"...is the regular Saturday night KJ at Mike

O 'Donnels in Franklin Park. He loves animals, primarily Wolves, which

is how he got that unique stagename, plus he jokingly likes to "Howl" like

a wolf, if someone picks a really fun song to sing.

 

The two Billys knew each other for many years, and have always been

really great friends. Billee Blue used to drop in and visit our buddy

the wolfman, when he either wasn't working, or just wanted to have

some musical fun after one of his own shows had ended.

 

Billee Blue surprised me last week with  a phone call, informing me that

him and his wife was in town on a visit. Before it was all said and done,

we all ended up having a long overdue reunion that night. It was great!

 

I consider myself privlidged to know both Billys, as they are a couple of really

nice guys to know as friends. They are always sharing a good laugh or two,

and both of these gentlemen were there for me when I was once down and out.

 

I hope you had a fun visit Billee. It was great to see you again. Wolfman?

All I can say to you is  "Ah-Rooooooooo!"

 

Thanks guys.

Eddie K.

 

Northbound CSX night freight. Glenview IL. Feb 2013.

A 1970's and 80's era Santa Fe local freight train. Photographed at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club. Oak Park Illinois. Late April 2014.

 

I took this photograph 2 weeks ago, at the Oak Park Society of Model

Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois.

 

I wasn't able to attend tonight's operating session, due to long overtime

working hours at my place of employment. (It happens once in a while.)

 

In a scene typical of working Santa Fe local freight trains during the 1970's

and 1980's era, a rebuilt Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad EMD model

C F 7 light roadswitcher diesel electric locomotive, is assigned to a local freight

train serving the online industries and various freight customers.

A,T & T Ford utility truck. Elmwood Park Illinois. Wednsday, May 7th, 2014.

             Transportation subjects have always fascinated me, ever since my won childhood.

          I took this photograph this evening after I came home from a long day at work today.


      My working day had came to an end already, but this hardworking and dedicated crew from
      A,T & T, were answering a residential service call on North 74th Court in Elmwood Park -
      Illinois just before sunset, making sure that whos ever home telephone, internet or cable TV
       systems are in fine working order.

       Parked on North 74th Street in Elmwood Park Illinois this evening, is the A,T & T's own
       modern Ford utility truck, complete with one of the newest safety features long overdue on
       commercial vehicles known as "Break Away Mirrors".

                                                            Thanks.
                                                      
                                                            Eddie K

Denver and Rio Grande Steam Train 315 - Durango and Silverton

A comparison of cabooses both working and former in H.O Scale.

 

 

I took this photograph last week Wednsday night, at the Oak Park Society of -

Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois.

 

Cabooses are an image a person in today's world, associates with American

railroading past. Although a handful of railroads actually use cabooses to -

some extent these days on switching locals where often long back up moves

are involved, many railroads began phasing out their cabooses after the

industry De regulation during the early to mid 1980's.

 

Cabooses were expensive to operate and maintain in the long run. Originally

designed for the brakeman to observe the train from the elevated observation

cupola to monitor "Hot Boxes" caused by the once industry standard  friction

bearings used on the cars trucks, when bearings would sometimes overheat,

catch fire and cause derailments. Freight car heights which became increasingly

taller, obstructed the crew members view. Train lengths became longer, and -

eventually...electronic talking trackside detectors were better able to monitor

any hot running roller bearings, and read the particular freight car numbers back

to the crew and -or dispatchers. Cabooses had outlived their usefulness, but were

required to be coupled on to most freight trains prior to De regulation, per previous

and long standing Union Agreements, and other in house politics.

 

Some railroads that had a surplus number of cabooses, some that were no longer in use,

rebuilt them in to unique idler cars that are sometimes refered to as "Shoving Platforms."

 

Myself and several other nostalgic members of the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,

H.O Scale Model Railroad Club, prefer to model the pre De regulation era, when cabooses

could still be found on most every freight train. My good friend and fellow club member

Chuck Colin, has decided to model modern contemporary freight trains, complete with one

of those "Shoving Platform idler cars complete with blanked over windows and welded

shut permanently doors. (CSX and the Belt Railway of Chicago use these.)

 

In this photograph of interesting comparison, My 1950's and 60's era Atchison, Topeka

& Santa Fe freight train complete with a plain brown cupola caboose from pre 1966 times,

meets Chuck's train with the modern rebuilt shoving platform ex caboose on the rear.

 

Thanks.

Eddie K.

A peaceful springtime evening at the big pond. Glenview Illinois. Monday, May 5th, 2014.

 

I thought that I would end today's posting of my blogsite, with this lovely photograph.

 

Work had just ended about 10 minutes before I arrived at the large city park in

north suburban Glenview Illinois on Chestnut Avenue, and I stopped to take this

serene evening image...that I personally felt was just "Too good to pass up."

 

With the late day sun heading toward the horizon just before sunset, the recently

blooming weeping willow trees and other vegetation beginning to turn green, this

image of a peaceful and very serene water scape, helps to end the day with a smile.

 

Thanks.

Eddie K.

Your host and photographer Eddie K taking a roller blade break.

 

Hi everyone!

 

This is Eddie K, your host and photographer here at Eddie's Railfan Page.

 

One really fun activity I often enjoy now that the weather is beginning to

warm up during this 2014 Springtime season here in the Chicago aea, is outdoor roller blading sessions at some of the local city and suburban area parks.

 

Here I am recently on a delightfully warm, no jacket required day in northwest

suburban Des Plaines Illinois, at a place known as West Park.

 

Last week was nothing but constant cold temperatures in the 40's and low 50's, with

several days of cold rain and drizzle conditions. A thunderstorm or two was tossed

in for added wet measure. I'm sure that the ducks, geese and various species of

local water foul birds appreciated it more than I did.

 

Thanks.

Eddie K. 

Westbound Metra local departs Elmwood Park Illinois. Sunday, March 30th...

Jim Reeves - Railroad Bum

A 1950's and 60's era local freight train from the former Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad in H.O Scale.

 

I took this photograph last week Wednsday night, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois.

I have been a lifelong fan of the former Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. I fondly remember this railroad when I was growing up on the near southwest side of Chicago during the 1960's, 70's and 80's. Prior to 1960 when the Santa Fe had introduced a blue color scheme with yellow ends and frame that was refered to as the "Billboard" or "Book Ends" color scheme, the Santa Fe painted their diesel yard switcher locomotives in this black with silver stripes color scheme between 1950 and 1960. This was known as the "Zebra Stripe" color scheme.

With a consist of 1950's and 60's period American freight cars in tow, my Bachman model of an American Locomotive Company (ALCO) model S 4 yard switcher from the early 1950's era, helps to recreate one of those local freight trains that the Santa Fe had switched numerous industrial spur sidings with back in those days.

Thanks.
Eddie K.