Former Philadelphia Pennsylvania rapid transit car. The East Troy Electric Railroad and Museum. East Troy Wisconsin USA. September 2006.

Seen here as it arrives at the East Troy depot, is a former Philadelphia Pennsylvania rapid transit car from the Noristown High Speed line. This car ran for many years for a Company caled Red Arrow Lines, wich later became SEPTA. The agency known as SEPTA is the Southeast Pennsylvania Transit Authority. This car originally operated with 3rd Rail shoes in Pennsylvania, and has now been modified with overhead trolley poles and lower boarding steps.

Hazy winter sunshine. Chicago Illinois USA. Febuary 2007.

The winter in the Chicago area for 2007 has been very blusterry and cold so far. January wasn't too bad considering, but the month of Febuary has been nothing less than "Brutal" so far. We have been experiencing days on end with temperatures below zero, or just above it with severe windchill factors. Many Chicago water main pipes have been bursting under the streets, causing numerous problems. Here is an example of some typical Chicago hazy winter sunshine.
Chicago's winter sunshine isn't always clear and crystal blue.

Chicago Gravel Company 0-6-0 Number # 18. Bensenville Illinois USA. Febuary 2007.

This old relic from the steam era is on display on Main Street just east of Church Road in NW Suburban Bensenville Illinois. This locomotive was built by the American Locomotive Company in April of 1922, and was originally the plant switcher for the Studebaker Automobile Company, wich was located in South Bend Indiana USA. When the Management at the Studebaker plant no longer needed it, they sold it to the Chicago Gravel Company for use at their quarry in South Elgin Illinois. After the quarry retired it, they cosmetically restored it, and donated the locomotive to the village of Bensenville Illinois in 1961. This display also features a Milwaukee road Hiawatha passenger car and a steel bay window caboose as well.

Morning sky in Bensenville Illinois USA. Febuary 2007.

I took this photo at the corner of Green Street and Wolf Road in NW suburban Bensenville Illinois USA. This is a morning photo of the former Milwaukee Road Bensenville Yard located near Chicago's O'Hare International Airport.

A Milwaukee Road remnant in 2007. CP Rail Bensenville Yard.

An unrepainted mid 1970's vintage EMD MP-15DC yard switcher is seen working the car shop tracks at the Canadian Pacific Railroad's Bensenville Yard. The Soo line bought out a very bankrupt Milwaukee Road through a merger in 1985, and later in 1990, the CP Rail bought out the Soo line through a merger too. 22 years later, and they still havn't gotten around to repainting this venerable diesel switcher. I took this photo while working not far from here in Febuary 2007.
A photo selection entitled "Milwaukee Road Remnants" can be seen on the links page entitled
"Join the eddie's railfan group".

My old haunts. It's great to be back again after many years!

Hello everybody!
Welcome aboard "Eddie's Railfan Page". Here I am on location in an area that I consider-"The birthplace of My railfanning"! I am just west of 49th Street and south Lawndale Avenue near My old Alma Matter -Curie High School. What am I doing here in 18 Degree temperatures with a bitter January windchill anyway? Answer - I am smiling! This is the area where My "Actual" railfan experience began during the late 1970's. This area was very countrylike back then, and was a nice "Escape" for Me. I took many long walks back here along this railroad right of way. My early railfanning was pretty much trackside without a camera. In 1979, I had a "Photo Lab" class and took a handful of somewhat poor quality Black and White photographs here. The trains were unpredictable and hard to photograph, as they mostly passed through here during one of My other classtimes. I became a Railfan Photographer in March of 1983, when I had bough My first 35 MM camera. I would occasionally visit this area after I had graduated from Curie High School, and had taken some Post high school railfan photographs.
Although this area has changed greatly in recent years, this is where it all started for Me.

CTA Orange Line train passing Curie High School. Late January 2007.

I took this photo on Chicago's SW side in late January of 2007. I had seen this view almost everyday from 1977 to 1981, minus the CTA elevated embankment. This is Curie High School located at the southeast intersection of Archer Avenue and Pulaski Road. During My high school days, and for a number of years after...I used to spend quality time walking the Belt Railway of Chicago track seen here behind the school. This was a large open field with this set of tracks on the south, and the Indiana Harbor Belt ones adjacent to My high school. This area was very "Countrylike", and was a great place to witness Seasonal Changes to the landscape. I can remember walking along here during the Chicago winter of 1979 past the tall snowdrifts along the right of way. Some were "Waist High" and others were actually "Head high" or taller. I always enjoyed getting to school "Too early", so that I could enjoy a nice morning walk here.
An all time favorite was walking along here during the Autum mornings when there was thick fog conditions and low visibility. It was a piece of Country within the city of Chicago back then.

BNSF Railway one car transfer train. 49th Street and south Lawndale Avenue. Chicago Illinois USA. Late January 2007.

I took this photo of a one car BNSF Railway intermodal transfer train, on south Lawndale Avenue in late January of 2007. I consider this intersection "The birthplace of My railfanning".
I have loved trains since I was a kid. Prior to 1977, My only railfanning I experienced was through the pages of magazines such as "Trains" or "Model Railroader", 3 family vacation trips to Florida on the Amtrak Floridian, or a handful of trips to Michigan City Indiana on the South Shore Railroad. Although I had an industrial branchline served by Santa Fe 5 days a week in My old neighborhood, and lived in close proximity to the Illinois Central Gulf Iowa Division mainline, I didn't go to trackside locations until I started high school in the fall of 1977. This was one of the very "First" places I had experienced on location train spotting. There were 2 rail lines that had crossed south Lawndale Avenue on street leval in back in those days. The line shown here is owned by the Belt Railway of Chicago, and serves the south entrance to the former Santa Fe Corwith Yard facility. Behind the train overhead is the Chicago Transit Authority "Orange Line" to Chicago's Midway Airport, wich had opened in 1993. Prior to December of 1988, this was the ground leval Indianna Harbor Belt Railroad's own "Stockyards Industrial Branch" wich was poorly maintained and had a daily freight train or two that served various industries east of here. The IHB local was operated with first generation EMD NW 2 diesel switchers that wore a black and white New York Central style color scheme and logo. It looked like a 1950's railroad.
Just east of here, was one of My personal favorites...The GTW Elsdon Yard on west 51st Street.
I was blessed with lots of railfan activities while attending My old Alma Matter. Happy times!

Eastbound CTA Orange Line rapid transit train passing Curie High School. Chicago Illinois USA. Late January 2007.

This is a view that shows how things change over the course of time. The elevated CTA Orange Line embankment seen here, was once the ground leval (and poorly maintained.) Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad , single track, "Stockyards Industrial Branch" wich was abandoned by December of 1988. Demolition of this rickety old derailment prone 5 miles per hour line began in January of 1989. The eastbound train to downtown Chicago is passing by My old High School Athletic Field on the other side of the embankment, where I had spent many a Gym class during milder weather. I had spent many happy times walking along this old branchline. The Curie High School athletic field, was used by the city of Chicago for a snow dump site during the infamous winter of 1979. I would climb the snow mountains on the field after school.

Looking south toward west 51st Street on former GTW interchange track. Chicago Illinois USA. Late January 2007.

This view goes back to My high school days. I attended Curie High School just west of here from 1977 to 1981. Prior to October of 1983, The old Grand Trunk Western Railroad Elsdon Yard and wooden 2 story train station were just ahead on this interchange track connection. This track connected the GTW Elsdon Yard , to the former A,T&S,F (Santa Fe) Corwith Yard at west 47th Street and south Archer Avenue. When I wasn't attending class, many times I would spend a little time here either before the school day would begin, or after school was through for the day. I would watch the hump operations at Corwith, or the GTW switching operations blocking west 51st Street with frequent back and forth movements. There were little hills and dirt trails in this area, and many times one could find Young teenage boys riding their BMX bikes here.

Size comparison on south Canal Street. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

Good morning everyone!
Welcome to the "Bus Day" edition of My blog site "Eddie's Railfan Page". Seen here on Canal Street just outside of downtown Chicago, is an everyday sight nobody ever seems to notice. An interstate style long distance bus, the style like Greyhound uses, just happened to be parked in front of a standard Blue Bird school bus. The bus that many family's Children ride to and from school, somehow looks squatty compared to the large over the highway model. For all My friends who are into model railroading or enjoy building miniature scale scenes, just remember that You have seen it here. The differences are real.

CTA Route # 52 Kedzie / California Avenue north terminal. December 2006.

This is the north terminal of the Chicago Transit Authority's Route # 52 Kedzie / California Avenue bus line on north California Avenue approximately 2 city blocks north of Roscoe Ave.
This terminal turnaround loop is on Commonwealth Edison property on Chicago's northside between w Belmont Avenue and w Addison Street. Prior to March 15th 1969, this was an electric trolleybus facility. The bus in the picture is a brand new 2006 New Flyer low floor transit coach.

Pace bus in Elmwood Park Illinois USA. December 2006.

I took this photo just days away from the end of the year in December of 2006. Late December of 2006 was very rainy, mild and springlike in the greater Chicagoland area. We had a "Muddy" Christmas Holiday season instead of a snowy one.
Seen here on the east side of the Elmwood Park Public Library, is a suburban Pace bus in the blue color sceme, waiting to head southbound on Harlem Avenue, to southwest suburban Summit Illinois.

Shopping Mall shuttle bus. Clinton Iowa USA. September 2002.

I was working for a local Chicago marketing company, for a short period in late summer during the year of 2002. I took this photo while on a business trip to the city of Clinton Iowa.

Seen here in a large parking lot next to a Kohl's department store, is a small shuttle bus used by the Clinton Iowa MTA. This tiny bus was not much larger than a small delivery truck.

Secondhand Seatle Washington USA bus working for the CTA. Bridgeview Illinois USA. October 2002.

Seen here heading west on 79th Street in SW suburban Bridgeview Illinois, is a used M.A.N articulated transit bus from Seatle Washington.

During this period of time, the CTA was having

a shortage of reliable buses, and a new order was in the planning stages. During this time, Chicago's CTA bought 20 used M.A.N articulated transit buses from the city of Seatle Washington to temporarily fill the shortage problem. The bus seen here is still in the Seatle METRO color sheme. Within the next year or so, new buses

would be arriving and filling the void on the Chicago Transit Authority's operating roster.

Winter sunset in Chicago. January 2007.

This colorful photo of a winter sunset sky, was taken on location at the Metra Cicero / Grand Avenue commuter rail station on Chicago's northside. I had just left work for the evening, and decided to see this lovely but cold winter sunset firsthand. Just like the 1950's Doo Wop music vocal group called The Platters would sing ... "Heavenly shades of night are falling -
It's Twilight Time.

There is a reference in the song about "when
Purple colored curtains mark the end of day".
It has happened here. A lovely days ending.

The preserved historic Tower B-12. Franklin Park Illinois USA. January 2007.

On display for all to see today, is the landmark Tower B-12 on display in a parklike setting. As the logo on the north side of the tower indicates, this was once Milwaukee Road Country!
Tower B-12 was the Junction tower that controlled the railroad traffic at the crosstracks and interchange with the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad just east of 25th Avenue. This tower was used until the late 1990's, and moved approximately 6 blocks west in it's display location. Many of the towers I photographed during the 1980's have long since been demolished. Thank You Franklin Park and CP Rail for saving this railfan landmark for all.

Eastbound CP Rail passing historic tower B-12. Franklin Park Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo of a CP Rail freight train, passing the preserved and very historic Tower B-12 in NW suburban Franklin Park Illinois USA. Tower B-12 to the delight of many local railfans was actually preserved and placed on display in a small parklike setting in downtown Franklin Park Illinois. I took this picture braving a very bitter and biting windchill factor on a gloomy January day. Chicago winter railfanning. Gotta love it!

Eastbound Canadian Pacific RR transfer train. Franklin Park Illinois. January 2007.

This is a photo of winter railroad operations in the greater Chicagoland area. Seen here in January of 2007 on a very cold and windy day, is an eastbound CP Rail freight transfer approaching the 25th Avenue grade crossing in NW suburban Franklin Park Illinois USA. My face was litterally "Stinging" from the cold air and windy conditions, but it was worth it all.

Northbound to Craigin Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo after work one cold January evening in 2007. As I was leaving the Northwest Industrial Park on north Kilbourn Avenue, I spotted this northbound CP Rail intermodal double stack container train travelling over the Belt Railway of Chicago, and passing over the w Chicago Avenue viaduct. Once the train arrives at Craigin Junction approximately 1 mile north of here, the crew will wait for clearance from the dispatcher, and then proceed west on the Canadian Pacific Railroad's former Milwaukee Road mainline to Bensenville Yard near Chicago's O"Hare International Airport. The old Soo Line railroad was acquired through a merger in 1990 by the Canadian Pacific railroad. 17 years later...Locomotives and cabooses in Soo Line markings still can be found on many Chicago railroad lines today here in the windy city.

Chicago Surface Lines car # 1374 built in 1904. The Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois USA. June 1993.

These vintage black and white scenes were photographed by Myself on a June 1993 visit to the Illinois Railway Museum, wich is located 50 Miles northwest of Chicago in the town of Union Illinois. This operating railroad museum located in northwestern Mc Henry County features a large collection of vintage locomotives -buses -railroad equipment -and electric streetcars that can be seen and ridden during the operating season from April to October.
Seen here is Chicago Surface Lines (A CTA predescessor)
electric streetcar number # 1374. This car was built in 1904 by the St. Louis Car Company, and used in trolley passenger service until approximately the mid 1940's. It spent it's final years in M.O.W or "Maintenance of Way" service as a work motor, mainly as a winter Salt Spreader on Chicago's streets.
After several years of restoration, this car now operates today.

Chicago Transit Authority 4000 series rapid transit car. The Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois USA. June 1993.

Seen here on a June 1993 trip I took with some friends to the Illinois Railway Museum, is an old
1920's era CTA Elevated Rapid Transit car. Just for the sake of having some creative "Fun"...I decided to shoot a roll of "Black and White" 35 MM film that day. My photographs look like a
summer daydream from the past. The old 4000
series CTA car is rounding the interchange curve and is heading to the high leval 50th Avenue CTA rapid transit station from suburban Cicero Illinois. The Junction tower in the background was relocated from Spaulding Illinois, and is now a museum display for visitors.

Preserved Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee Railroad electric interurban coaches. The Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois USA. June 1993.

Seen here between another demonstration run on the museum's mainline, are two former Chicago, North Shore & Milwaukee Railroad electric interurban coaches. These coaches travelled daily between Chicago Illinois and Milwaukee Wisconsin until January 21st 1963, when the line was shut down due to bankruptcy. It's too bad the North shore Line didn't survive, as the traffic congestion on Interstate I-94 can be tough these days. Parts of the old C,N S & M
survive today as a bicycle trail in north suburban places like Winetka and Ravinia.

Inbound Amtrak train approaching Forest Glen depot. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

Good morning everybody!
Welcome aboard another edition of My blog site
"Eddie's Railfan Page", wich comes to You from the city of Chicago Illinois USA. Seen here is an inbound Amtrak "Hiawatha Service" passenger train from Milwaukee Wisconsin, enroute to it's terminal destination at Chicago Union Station. This is on the Metra /CP Rail former Milwaukee Road "North Line", wich has commuter train service to Fox Lake Illinois. The locomotive seen here, is actually a Baggage car with a control cab. This was originally a late 1970's vintage EMD F-40PH passenger locomotive. At some time during the 1990's as their age was starting to show mechanically, Amtrak removed their diesel prime mover, and converted several of these veteran locomotives into cost saving Baggage Control Cab Cars to save time in terminal operations. On the other end of the train is a General Electric P-40 Genesis Series passenger diesel locomotive pushing the inbound Amtrak train to Chicago Illinois.

Brighton Junction.Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

Seen here on a very cold and windy Chicago winter morning, is a BNSF Railway unit coal train waiting for clearance to proceed across the Canadian National Railroad ex Illinois Central mainline. The BNSF train was being held for an incoming Amtrak train to Chicago Union Station.
Unfortunately, My digital camera batteries died on Me just as the Amtrak was approaching from the west. Dang it! However...This scene made it all worthwhile in the long run.

Craigin Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

Seen here waiting on the curve that connects the Belt Railway of Chicago tracks, to the Canadian Pacific ex Milwaukee road mainline, is a CP Rail freight train, with diesel locomotives that are still painted for the former Soo Line Railroad. Once clearance is given by the dispatcher, the train will leave the BRC trackage, and proceed west to Bensenville Yard near Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. Craigin Junction is located just east of the Metra Cicero/ Grand commuter rail station on Chicago's northside.

D.R.S Rail Services operating on former BN branchline. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

A very heavilly grafitti tagged EMD switcher, is seen working industries on west 22nd Street -
aka Cermak Road, in Chicago's Pilsen Neighborhood. The large factory in the background is the Commonwealth Edison Throop Street generating station. At some point after the 1995 A,T&S,F /BN merger, the new company BNSF decided that it didn't need this industrial branchline anymore, and sold it to DRS Rail Services. I have a few photographs from November of 1983, of the former Burlington Northern RR switching a siding on South Paulina Street west of Ashland Avenue on this line.

Twilight in Cicero Illinois USA. January 2007.

This overhead railroad crossing signal seen here being silhouted by the approaching winter night, is located in west suburban Cicero Illinois along west 16th Street near Cicero Avenue. This line is the CSX Transportation 16th Street industrial spur branch, wich serves a handful of local industries in the village of Cicero Illinois.

Union Pacific Railroad switching local leaving siding. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

A Union Pacific Railroad EMD GP-15T light roadswitcher, has just dropped off a freight car on a factory spur siding in the Northwest Industrial Park, along north Kilbourn Avenue.
I photographed this lovely winter morning scene, in frigid sunshine conditions. The small hills and large abundance of trees, make this photograph appear to be out in the country. Actually, it is on Chicago's westside. The snow along this industral branchline give this photograph a very Christmas
card sort of a look and feel.

Your host and photographer in March of 1985.

Hello everyone!
Welcome aboard "Eddie's Railfan Page"from the city of Chicago Illinois USA.
Todays photographs were taken in late March of the year 1985 on a gloomy -Sunday? I forgot.
Anyway...Here I am just days away from My 23rd birthday on a fun and educational railfan excursion sponsored by the Illinois Railway Museum, located in Union Illinois. The old 1950's vintage 6000 series rapid transit cars were in their final years of operation in Chicago, and were gradually being "Phased out" over the next 6 years or so. Some were only being used during off peak hours. Others had been demoted into "Maintenance of way" service. Within the next year or so, many would wind up in various railroad museums. I grew up in Chicago with these cars.

Chicago Transit Authority 6000 series rapid transit train. Chicago Illinois USA. March 1985.

This is a CTA rapid transit train of aging 1950's vintage 6000 series cars. I took this photograph on a chartered fantrip sponsored by the Illinois Railway Museum. Our trip was entitled -
"The snowflake special", and operated all over the entire CTA rapid transit system, except for the "Skokie Swift line" wich is todays 'Yellow Line" rapid transit, and "Still" does not operate at all on the weekends. I believe that this photograph was taken at the Western Avenue station on the old "Douglas Park L", wich in 2007 is the CTA "Pink" line.

Interior view of CTA 6000 series rapid transit car. March 1985.

This is an inside view of a CTA 6000 series rapid transit car. These cars were starting to show their age mechanically, and during the 1980's, a number of charterred fantrips by various railfan groups took place in the city of Chicago Illinois. These cars were gradually being replaced or placed into maintenance of way service for the CTA. This was on a March 1985 charter fantrip sponsored by the Illinois Railway museum in Union Illinois. Our excursion was a late winter outing entitled
"The snowflake special". It was a nice way to enjoy a gloomy Chicago weekend.

The brand new CTA O'Hare Airport transit terminal. March 1985.

The New CTA rapid transit terminal at O'Hare Airport was big news back in the mid 1980's.
This was our charterred excursion train in the new terminal facility.

CTA Howard Street rapid transit yard. Evanston Illinois USA. March 1985.

My how the times have changed. This is the CTA rapid transit yard and maintenance facility in north suburban Evanston Illinois at Howard Street. This yard has long since been remodeled and improved. You wouldn't believe it if You can see the new facility today. A fleet of aging 6000 series rapid transit cars in the 1960's color scheme, of "Mint Green and Alpine White", sit between assignments in the yard storage tracks to the right. The 6000 series cars were partly built from CTA Electric streetcar components during the 1950's. (The pcc green hornet fleet.)

Your host and photographer at work.

Hi everyone!
Here I am at My job, driving to My sales accounts.
I work as an outside sales representative for a local
Chicago soft drink bottling company. Outside sales
is a career I honestly love. When I am on location, I
occasionally find places to come back to later on, to
photograph the many nice transportation photos
that You see here at Eddie's Railfan Page.
My career comes first, the train photos come later.

Thank You.
Eddie.

Fresh air and sunshine, thats for Me.

Two train meet on the IHB. Brookfield Illinois USA. January 2007.

A southbound Canadian National freight train, is seen passing a northbound Union Pacific Railroad unit coal train,in suburban Brookfield Illinois.
These trains are travelling over the three track Indianna Harbor Belt Railroad. I took this photo
on west Harding Avenue just east of La Grange
road Route # 12 /45.

Westbound Iowa,Chicago & Eastern RR freight train. River Grove Illinois USA. January 2007.

Seen here in the late morning sunshine, is an Iowa,Chicago& Eastern Railroad freight train passing through northwest suburban River Grove Illinois. This train is travelling via
trackage rights on the Canadian Pacific RR
former Milwaukee Road mainline.

Soo Line grafitti tagged caboose. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

Seen here on the Belt Railway of Chicago embankment heading northbound, is a
former Soo Line caboose that has become
a victim of the Ugly side of urban railroading.
The sun is setting to the west as the train heads to Craigin Junction.

A winter sunset in Berwyn Illinois USA. January 2007.

Another day is coming to a close in Chicago's western suburbs. The station, lights,trees, and everything else is silhoutted against the approaching evening sky. Winter sunsets can be quiete spectaculair on location.

Twilight in suburban Berwyn Illinois USA. January 2007.

This is a view to the west on the BNSF mainline in the suburb of Berwyn Illinois. We are on the east side of Berwyn on Ridgeland Avenue at the LaVergne Metra commuter train depot. The sun is already over the horizon as an inbound Metra train to Chicago Union Station is seen in the distance. This was a fine ending to a nice workday for this salesman.

CTA Route # 53A South Pulaski Rd bus arriving at south terminal on w 111Th Street. Chicago Illinois USA. December 1986.

Hello everyone!
Welcome to "Bus Day" here at Eddie's Railfan Page. Today we will view some old and new photographs of Chicago Transit Authority buses.
I took this photograph from the southeast corner of west 111Th Street and south Pulaski Road, in Chicago's "Mount Greenwood" neighborhood. This is an older early 1970's era GMC bus in the eastbound turning or "Only" lane on south Pulaski Road. Once the driver gets the green turning arrow signal, he will enter the south terminal on west 111Th street approximately one block east on the south side of 111Th Street.

Chicago Transit Authority bus loop at w 111Th St and s Pulaski Rd. November 1989.

This is the bus terminal loop at west 111Th Street and south Pulaski Road on Chicago's far southwest side. This turnaround bus loop serves the West 111Th Street CTA line and the Route # 53A South Pulaski Road bus line. This terminal is located in the neighborhood community known as Mount Greenwood, wich has a large population of people from Irish heritage. A recently rebuilt 1970's era GMC Fishbowl bus in the new CTA color scheme, is sharing terminal space with a 1985 M.A.N transit coach from West Germany.
The old GMC coaches were rolling out their last years in service at this time.

Chicago Transit Authority's Forest Glen Garage on North Elston Avenue. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

Seen here are a group of CTA 1990's era Nova buses between assignments. This is a view looking through one of the entrance gates to the large Forest Glen Garage at North Elston and West Bryn Mawr Avenues, on Chicago's far northwest side. Prior to 1973, this was a large electric trolleybus garage facility.

Chicago Transit Authority's "Newest" bus model.

I took this photo from n Elston Ave on Chicago's far northwest side. Seen here at the CTA Forest Glen garage facility at n Elston and w Bryn Mawr Avenues, is the newest transit bus addition to the CTA fleet. This is a 2006 Optimus -Opus 30 Ft transit coach photographed in January of 2007. They look a lot like the 40 Ft Nova buses as they have common structural window and roof details.
Until I found out that these buses were made by the company known as "Optimus"...I had mistakenly referred to them as "Baby Nova's".
Buses 30 feet or less in lenght like this are referred to by bus fans as "Baby Buses".

The BNSF Railway's Corwith Yard south hump. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

I took this photo facing east on Archer Avenue at the intersection of west 47Th Street. A BNSF Railway intermodal double stack container train is being switched on the south hump at Corwith Yard. A "New" 2006 CTA New Flyer transit coach is waiting for the light to change. This was a one time beautiful concrete viaduct with railings carved out of concrete and many asthetic architectural features. By the 1980's, years of heavy train traffic -Chicago weather -and tall semi trailers either hitting it or getting stuck below, caused the Santa Fe to jackhammer the old concrete railings off around 1987 and replace them with a chain link fence. The city of Chicago lowered the street under it in the early 1990's to accomodate tall semi truck trailers. Notice the sections of missing concrete that expose the overpass bridge's steel girder beams today.

Switching the south hump. BNSF Railway's Corwith Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

This is the south hump of the former Santa Fe Corwith Yard on Chicago's southwest side. We are looking east on south Archer Avenue at the intersection of west 47Th Street in the Brighton Park neighborhood community. This old concrete viaduct is showing years of heavy use -errosion -missing concrete from years of being hit by tall semi trailers -and a floor that was lowered sometime during the early 1990's to accomodate them more easily. The EMD roadswitcher coupled immediately to the double stack container cars is in the pre 1995 A,T&S,F blue and yellow "Yellowbonnet" color scheme, while the unit ahead of it is in one of the later and more recent BNSF color schemes seen daily here.

Former Burlington Northern RR locomotives on the south hump. BNSF Railway's Corwith Yard. Chicago Illinois USA. January 2007.

Looking like something in the "N" guage section of a hobby store at this distance, tow former Burlington Northern Railroad EMD roadswitchers are seen on the south hump at Corwith Yard. I spent much time railfanning this location back in the A,T&S,F days during the 1980's. These locomotives are still in pre 1995 Burlington Northern "Cascade Green" colors.
The locomotive to the right has a large Burlington Northern logo still on it's nose.

Hayford Junction 20 years ago this month. January 1987.

20 years ago this month, I had went to Hayford junction at w 76Th Street and s St. Louis Avenue after work one saturday afternoon in January of 1987. I was only working part time at this particulair point in time, but upcoming months would land Me full time steady work elsewhere.
I had a fresh roll of 35mm Kodak asa 100 speed film and a trusty Pentex M.E Super camera in hand ready to record some scenes of Chicago winter railroading.
Chicago had experienced a heavy morning snowstorm, wich had just stopped less than an hour ago when I arrived at Hayford Junction.
Seen here is a Belt Railway of Chicago track maintenance crew shoveling out a track switch.

GTW freight train approaching interchange connection. Hayford Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. January 1987.

A grand trunk Western RR freight train has just left the nearby Belt Railway of Chicago Clearing Yard, and is now entering the southbound interchange track connection to the GTW mainline. Hayford Junction is located on the southwest side of Chicago at w 76Th Street and s St. Louis Avenue near Richard J. Daley College and the Ford City Shopping Center. I was up to My shins in accumulated snow to get this photo.
This is an example of Chicago Winter Railroading after a passing snowstorm.

Eastbound Norfolk Southern Railroad freight train. Hayford Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. January 1987.

A Belt Railway of Chicago track dept crew is busy clearing out a track switch after a heavy morning
snowstorm struck the city of Chicago this day.
An eastbound Norfolk Southern RR freight train has just recieved clearance from the dispatcher, and is seen passing the busy snow shoveling crew. The morning weather was bad that day, but the afternoon winter railfan photography could not be beat.