Union Pacific RR Maintenance Dept Ford pick up truck. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2007.

I took this photo in a parking lot along North Western Avenue near West Armitage street on Chicago's northside. Seen here is an example of the modern vechicles used in maintaining a large railroad system today.

Coming home from work. The Metra Hanson Park commuter rail station. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2007.

I took this photo Wednsday evening this week after work. A westbound Metra commuter local on the Canadian Pacific ex Milwaukee Road west line, has just came to a stop at the Hanson Park flagstop depot near Central and Grand Avenues.
The various passengers are seen returning from their places of employment in downtown Chicago Illinois, and will soon be going home for the night.

City of Chicago Riverscape.View looking south from the West Webster Avenue bridge. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2007.

Hello everyone!
Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page from Chicago Illinois. I took this photo looking south toward the Chicago city skyline, from the West Webster Avenue bridge. This is the north branch of the Chicago River near North ashland Avenue. In the distance can be seen a tow boat at work with two river barges along the west bank. The West Webster Avenue and North Ashland Avenue bridges, were originally working draw bridges in decades past, but now have long since been rebuilt into stationary bridges. Surprisingly the old bridge tenders towers are still in place.

Eastbound CTA Green line train. Oak Park Illinois USA. August 2007.

I took this late morning photo in west suburban Oak Park Illinois. An eastbound Chicago Transit Authority Green line train, has just left the west terminal at North Harlem Avenue -U.S Route # 43 in Oak Park Illinois. The rapid transit train is now passing over the viaduct at Euclid Avenue and South Boulevard on a very hot August day.

The Indiana Harbor Belt RR Norpaul Yard. Melrose Park Illinois USA. August 2007.

I took this photo looking northeast, from the 25th Avenue overpass bridge in northwest suburban Melrose Park Illinois. Seen here switching a large cut of cars on a very hot August day, are two IHB EMD Roadswitchers. The front locomotive is wearing the new orange color scheme that was introduced in 2005, while the second unit wears the older scheme that was introduced in the mid 1980's. The sun was beating down strongly that day with a 96 Degree outside temperature. The steamy humidity was unbearable, and I was glad that I took a bottle of water with Me to this photo location. It was hot!

Southbound Amtrak train from Milwaukee Wisconsin. The Metra Forest Glen flagstop depot. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2007.

I took this mid day photo looking north, at the Metra Forest Glen commuter flagstop depot on Chicago's far northwest side. An inbound Amtrak Hiawatha Service passenger train from Milwaukee Wisconsin, is seen passing through the Forest Glen depot at North Elston Avenue. The locomotive is actually no longer a locomotive, but rather an old 1970's era EMD F-40PH that Amtrak converted into a baggage car with a control cab, like a Metra commuter coach cab car. The Amtrak cab control baggage car is still painted in a weathered Amtrak Phase # 3 paint scheme from the early 1980's. On the opposite end of the train, is a General Electric P-42 Genesis Series passenger locomotive pushing the train to Chicago Union Station.

Chicago's Brighton Junction. ( gone) Early April 2007.

I took this photo back in early April of 2007. Big changes were on the drawing board in 2007 for Brighton Junction. Preparations for new automatic signals were already in place on the property by the time I had taken this early springtime photograph. By the week of the fourth of July 2007, Chicago's historic manual steam era railroad junction at Archer and Western Avenues would close. This view is looking northeast toward the operators little shanty, and the old manual semaphore signals.

Running gear of Rock River Cannonball 4-6-2 steam locomotive. Edgarton Wisconsin USA. September 2006.

My brother in law "Ralph" took this photo for Me, on Labor day weekend in September of 2006. The city of Edgarton Wisconsin, has a miniature railroad with two different size trains, one large and one small operating at the fairgrounds I believe. The event is known as the Rock River Threshers Association -Threshing Bee. Although I have never been here physically, and I don't have much information to write about, I would like to visit this someday. The 18 inch guage locomotive, is modeled after a 4-6-2 Pacific type locomotive. Pacifics were used in passenger service due to their speed and power.
Some railroads like the Illinois Central, The Lehigh Valley, and the Southern Pacific Railroad, used this type of locomotive on freight trains at the end of the steam era. As diesel locomotives took on passenger assignments, these old passenger steam locomotives, now demoted, spent their last working miles on freight trains, commuter runs, or even maintenance of way trains before retirement or scrapping.

Stopping for gasoline, coffee and snacks.The Citgo station on South Harlem Avenue and West 83rd Street. Bridgeview Illinois USA. July 2007.

I took this night photo on My way home, after visiting My parents in Bridgeview Illinois. I was on My way home for the night, and was feeling the effects of fatique from long working hours, and a 20 mile car ride across town to visit My family. The Citgo station at West 83rd Street and South Harlem Avenue in southwest suburban Bridgeview Illinois, has always been one one of the kindest and cleanest convenience gasoline stations that I have come to know in the greater Chicagoland area. No visit to My family is complete without filling My gas tank, or obtaining some much needed coffee and snacks for the long ride home.

Southbound Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad transfer train. The Belt Railway of Chicago South Archer Avenue railroad crossing. Chicago Illinois USA.

A southbound transfer train from the midwest regional railroad Iowa, Chicago & Eastern, with a lead unit from affiliate railroad Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern, is seen crossing south Archer Avenue during the evening rush hour. The train will take the westbound interchange curve at 55th Street Junction, and proceed to the west end of the Belt Railway of Chicago Clearing Yard in Bedford Park Illinois.

Northbound Canadian National transfer train. The Belt Railway of Chicago South Archer Avenue railroad crossing. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2007.

I took this photo after work one day, in early August of 2007. Seen here tying up traffic during rush hour, is a northbound Canadian National Railroad transfer freight train. I took this photo looking eastbound, from the northwest corner of Archer and South Knox Avenues. This is located close to Chicago's Midway Airport, a few blocks east of South Cicero Avenue.

Canadian Pacific Railroad switchstand. Franklin Park Illinois USA. Late July 2007.

I took this photo one evening in northwest suburban Franklin Park Illinois. Seen here just footsteps west of the Scott Street railroad crossing, is this wisely padlocked manual switch stand. This switch leads to an industrial branchline with spur sidings.

Northbound Canadian Pacific transfer train. Chicago Illinois USA. Late July 2007.

I took this photo out of My cars passenger side window. We are on North Kenton Avenue just south of West Lake Street. A northbound Canadian Pacific transfer train, is seen waiting on a hold order on the Belt Railway of Chicago -north / south trunk line enroute to Cragin Junction on Chicago's northside. If I didn't give away the location as the Belt Railway of Chicago's line, this scene could easilly be mistaken for the praries of Canada.

Union Pacific Railroad Proviso Yard. Berkeley Illinois USA. Late July 2007.

I took this mid day photo looking west, from the Manheim Road -U.S Route 12 / 45 overpass bridge. Look closely toward the right of the photo, and You can see a small cut of retired former Illinois Central / Metra 1969 built Hi Liner double deck electric commuter cars. These cars were used on the Metra Electric / former Illinois Central commuter lines, and are in the process of being replaced with new M.U cars.
These cars may be going to either a scrap yard online, or perhaps the Illinois Railway Museum in Union Illinois. Either way, another era in Chicagoland railroading is coming to an end, and is leaving town via Proviso Yard.

Old Coca Cola vending machine. Franci's Deli. 2552 North Clark Street. Chicago Illinois USA. July 2007.

Hi everyone!
Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page.
I took this photo at work one day, in July of 2007. Photo Props are wherever You find them. Franci's deli is a customer I service as a soft drink sales representative.
Franci's Deli is a very Retro / Art Deco style sit down restaurant in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. The food is good, and the dining atmosphere is right out of Chicago's historical past. The old 1950's era Coca Cola vending machine no longer vends bottles of Coca Cola, but rather is used as a vintage restaurant decoration to set the ambiance of it all. Franci's Deli at 2552 North Clark Street has been in business since 1938.

Belt Railway of Chicago wide vision caboose # 126. Clearing Yard. Bedford Park Illinois USA. July 2007.

I took this photo after work one day, in late July of 2007. Seen here at the north entrance to the Belt Railway of Chicago Clearing Yard, is the BRC # 126 red caboose that never seems to be around when I have My camera with Me. This time I lucked out, and was greeted at the north entrance on South Central Avenue with this wonderfull photo prop on location. Notice the reflective safety stripes on the caboose ends.

My last photograph of Chicago's Brighton Junction. July 18th 2007.

An end of another era of Chicago railroading came to an end in early July of 2007. The signal operator at Chicago's Brighton Junction near Archer and Western Avenues, raised and lowered the manual semaphore signals for the last time on approximately July 3rd 2007. This is how the junction location looked like after the semaphore signals were dismantled and removed. The tall signal bridge shown here gives one an idea, of the transition taking place. At last report, the shanty has since been removed from the crosstracks. Word has it that the Norfolk Southern is consideing making the shanty and semaphore signals into a future museum display.

Over and under two train meet. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2007.

I took this photo one morning in August of 2007. An eastbound Union Pacific auto rack train waits on a hold order, while a northbound transfer train on the overhead Belt Railway of Chicago north / south -trunk line waits for clearance at Cragin Junction. The ground leval mainline is the Union Pacific ex Chicago & Northwestern Railroad -"West Line". These are two very busy Chicago railroad lines inside the windy city. The gutted out looking building to the right, is the abandoned Brach's Candy Factory. This photo was taken looking west along where West Kinzie Street meets North Kenton Avenue on Chicago's westside.

Hawthorne Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. June 2007.

I took this photo after work one day, back in June of 2007. Seen here near the Chicago city limits, is the Belt Railway of Chicago's Hawthorne Junction. Prior to 1990, an old wooden interlocking tower stood at the spot where the steel shed cabinet is seen behind the fence. This view is looking south. In the distance can be seen a southbound Canadian National freight train on the interchange connecting to the north/ south-Belt Railway of Chicago trunk line. The track in the foreground, is the Canadian National ex Illinois Central Iowa Division mainline. Hawthorne Junction is located approximately at West 33rd Street about 4 blocks west of South Kostner Avenue, approximately 5 blocks east of South Cicero Avenue at the city limits with west suburban Cicero Illinois. Most of the trains through here, are lenghty and slow moving transfer trains on the Belt Railway of Chicago trackage.

Caboose billboard. Keystone South Dakota USA. June 1984.

I took this photo on a vacation to Mt. Rushmore South Dakota, and the Yellowstone National Park back in late June of 1984. Seen here in downtown Keystone South Dakota, is this now retired Burlington Northern ex Northern Pacific Railroad wooden caboose. The Burlington Northern acquired this caboose from the March 2nd 1970 merger of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, The Great Northern Railroad, The Northern Pacific Railroad, and the Spokane, Portland & Seatle Railroad that formed the Burlington Northern. Wooden cabooses dated back to the 1800's, and were largely obsolete and replaced by the early 1960's. This example may have spent it's last years on switching locals. It is now a billboard.

Metra two train meet. Franklin Park Illinois USA. March 2007.

I took this photo at the Scott Street railroad crossing in northwest suburban Franklin Park Illinois. Two Metra commuter rail trains are seen passing each other on the CP Rail ex Milwaukee Road mainline. The train on the left is inbound enroute to Chicago Union Station, while the train to the right is outbound enroute to Elgin Illinois.
This scene is looking west toward the Manheim Road, U.S Route # 12 / 45 overpass bridge in the background. Winter was nearing the end on this day in March of 2007.

Northbound Norfolk Southern transfer train.The Belt Railway of Chicago West 55th Street grade crossing. Chicago Illinois USA. July 2007.

I took this late day photo after work one day, in late July of 2007. The sun was getting ready to start setting in the western sky near South Cicero Avenue, as a Norfolk Southern Railroad transfer train heads north across West 55th Street. The concrete ramp style bridge in the background, is the Chicago Transit Authority's Orange line rapid transit to Chicago's Midway Airport.

Old car show.The Frosted Mug Drive In. Alsip Illinois USA. July 2007.

A summer evening in the greater Chicagoland area, just wouldn't be complete without taking in a classic car show or two. I took this photograph last Tuesday evening, at the Frosted Mug Drive in restaurant, in south suburban Alsip Illinois. The frosted Mug Drive In, can be seen on My links page to the right of Your computer screen.
The antique and classic car shows are fun to attend, and are a regular activity at the Frosted mug. The Frosted Mug Drive In, has been featured on the Food Network's cable television show " Diners, Drive In's and Dives". This place is located at South Pulaski Road and West 116th street in the village of Alsip Illinois. This is one of the very "Last" drive in restaurants in the Chicago area with car hop service today.

Northbound Canadian Pacific intermodal transfer train. The Belt Railway of Chicago West 47th Street viaduct. Chicago Illinois USA. July 2007.

I took this photo one day after work, in late July of 2007. A northbound CP Rail container train, is seen passing over the West 47th Street underpass viaduct, on Chicago's southwest side. This viaduct is on the Belt Railway of Chicago's north and south Trunk Line, wich operates between Clearing Yard at West 70th Street and South Knox Avenue, all the way to Cragin Junction at Grand and Cicero Avenues on the northside of Chicago. At Cragin, the BRC ends, and the line interchanges with the CP Rail ex Milwaukee Road mainline.

Miniature live steam train ride. Taylor Marshall farm steam threshing meet. Sycamore Illinois USA. August 1986.

I took this photo in August of 1986, on a family outing to a steam threshing meet in Sycamore Illinois. The Taylor / Marshall farm , was holding an annual steam threshers association meet. Here I enjoyed a parade of antique steam and gas powered tractors, antique cars and trucks, and even a 7 and 1/2 inch guage miniature live steam train ride on the property. The railroad itself, was a mere oval of track. The train would go around it twice on each run. This locomotive, is a scale model of a 4-4-2 Atlantic Type steam locomotive. Atlantic type steam locomotives were used on short -light passenger trains during the steam era. Some railroads used these on local freight trains during their final operating days.

Westbound Canadian National transfer train. Ash Street Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. July 2007.

A westbound Canadian National transfer train with former GTW locomotives, has just recieved clearance. The train is now passing through the very isolated Ash Street Junction. This train is traveling over the former Illinois Central Iowa Division Mainline, wich also runs alongside the BNSF Railway's ex Atchinson, Topeka & santa Fe mainline. The north and south crosstracks belong to Norfolk Southern and CSX Transportation.

Eastbound CTA Blue line train at the Harlem Avenue station. Forest Park Illinois USA. June 2007.

I photographed this scene looking westbound, from the South Harlem avenue overpass bridge. An eastbound Chicago Transit Authority Blue Line rapid transit train, is seen leaving the South Harlem Avenue rapid transit station, wich runs adjacent to the I-290 Congress / Eisenhower Expressway, and the CSX Transportation Co Railroad line. In the background to the left, can be seen a CSX switching local spotting cars at the Ferrara Pan Candy Company.

Former Illinois Central trailing diesel unit. Hawthorne Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. June 2007.

I took this photo after work one day, back in June of 2007. A southbound Canadian National freight train had just recieved clearance, and was negotiating the southbound interchange curve at Hawthorne Junction, and would soon be on Belt Railway of Chicago trackage. The last unit in the locomotive consist, was this black former Illinois Central EMD roadswitcher.

Westbound Canadian National freight train. North Riverside Illinois USA. June 2007.

I took this photo one morning, in suburban North Riverside Illinois. A slow moving Canadian National freight train, is seen moving westbound approaching Des Plaines Avenue. The train is traveling alongside Commons Park, wich in past years was originally a Golf practice driving range. The train is traveling northwesterly on the former Illinois Central Iowa Division Mainline.

The River Forest Illinois Metra commuter rail station. River Forest Illinois USA. June 2007.

I took this photo looking north, from the Metra commuter rail station in near northwest suburban River Forest Illinois. This rail line was originally the Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad, prior to the 1998 merger and absorbtion by the Union Pacific Railroad. This commuter rail line is now the Metra / Union Pacific -West line to Elburn Illinois. During the years of Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad ownership, this line only operated as far west as Geneva Illinois. River Forest Illinois is a pleasant and upscale community located just west of Oak Park Illinois.

Chicago city service vechicle honors the Chicago Cubs. April 2007.

I took this photograph through My cars front windshield, on a rainy morning in April of 2007.
Seen here heading east on West Addison Street at North Sheffield Avenue, is a Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation Elgin street sweeper. What better way to clean the streets of the Wrigleyville neighborhood, than with a specially painted sweeper vechicle made to look like a Chicago Cubs baseball uniform.
The Chicago Cubs are actually playing some pretty good baseball in 2007. Maybe they will sweep more than just the streets this year. The city of Chicago also has sweepers painted for the White Sox -The Bulls -and the Bears. Da bears.

Your Host and Photographer enjoying some Friday night fun. The Black Diamond Lounge. Bensenville Illinois USA. July 2007.

Yaaaay! It's finally Friday!
Here I am having a great time at the Karaoke Show with some friends, at The Black Diamond Lounge on West Irving Park Road in Bensenville.
The Karaoke show is hosted by one of My buddys named "The Wolfman"-aka Billy Andrews. This is a fun place to sing and socialize with good friends on Friday nights.
After a long hard work week, It's great to come here. LETS CELEBRATE! Ein Prost ! Cheers!

Former East German meter guage 0-8-0 rounding the curve. The Hesston Steam Museum. Hesston Indiana USA. July 2007.

I took this photo toward the end of the day, around the time that Me and My lovely wife Cheryl were getting ready to leave the museum.
The logs in the foreground, are used at the steam powered sawmill on the museum property. There is nothing like taking in a refreshing afternoon in the country, at The Hesston Steam Museum near the border at New Buffalo Michigan. Check out their web site
www.hesston.org.

Westbound Union Pacific unit tank train.Chicago Illinois USA. July 2007.

I took this photo one hazy summer morning in Chicago, looking east along West Kinzie Street and North Kilbourn Avenue. A westbound Union Pacific Railroad unit tank train has a green signal from the dispatcher, and is picking up speed as it leaves the city of Chicago. Notice the covered hopper car behind the borrowed CSX locomotive,acting as a buffer in case of a fuel explosion or derailment in transit.

Speeding westbound Metra express commmuter train. Stone Avenue station. La Grange Illinois USA. June 2007.

I took this photo on a cloudy day after work, back in June of 2007. Seen here racing west enroute to Aurora Illinois, is a Metra express commuter train. The train was passing through the architecturally stylish depot at Stone Avenue in west suburban La Grange Illinois. I spent much time photographing trains here back in the 1980's, when this now BNSF Railway line was the Burlington Northern Railroad. Stone Avenue station is located in the western part of the town of La Grange, just east of Brainard Avenue.

Louisianna & Arkansas Railroad 2-8-0 # 99. The Illinois Railway Museum. Union Illinois USA. July 1981.

I took this photo back in the year of 1981, on a Family visit to The Illinois Railway Museum. Seen here on static display, and best of all -Outdoors in the sunshine...Is a preserved steam locomotive from the Kansas City Southern affiliate railroad, Louisianna & Arkansas. This locomotive was acquired by the Illinois Railway Museum in the year of 1969. The locomotive and tender were rescued from a swamp that was infested with plenty of Bees, Wasps, and Hornets.
Hmmm. Almost sounds like a "Sting Operation".
This locomotive is now on display inside a barn.

The CTA Orange line maintenance facility, yard, and turnaround loop. West 55th Street east of South Cicero Avenue. Chicago Illinois USA. July 2007.

The sun was getting ready to set on a hot Chicago summer day, at the west terminal of the CTA Orange line to Midway Airport. A 6 car rapid transit train, is waiting it's turn on the loop track. The train has been serviced, and will soon be making another trip to downtown Chicago.

The elusive Belt Railway of Chicago # 126 red caboose. Clearing Yard. Bedford Park Illinois USA. Late July 2007.

I was fortunate one evening after work, to finally snap a photo of the red BRC # 126 wide vision caboose. I have seen this caboose a handfull of times, usually whenI am too busy driving east on the I -55 Stevenson Expressway. I have spotted this caboose on a handfull of transfer trains on the adjacent Canadian National-former Illinois Central and Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Glen Yard trackage. I visited the north entrance of Clearing Yard on South Central Avenue one evening, and found this beautifull red caboose up close and accessable at last. I finally obtained a few photos.

Gyros anyone? How about a Big Baby double cheesburger? Jimmy's Gyros. Archer and Kedzie Avenues. Chicago Illinois USA. 1989.

I took this photo at the long gone Jimmy's Gyros on South Archer Avenue, sometime back in 1989. George the owner was hamming it up for this photographer, and was demonstrating how to slice a gyros. ( pronounced Yeer oh's) Jimmy's Gyros was one of many Greek owned Chicago fast food establishments on the southwest side of town. This is now the site of a large Walgreens Drug Store today. I ate many meals after work here in the late 1980's. I miss it.

The former NorthWestern Atrium Center terminal tracks. Chicago Illinois USA. August 1988.

Before there was a Richard B. Ogilvie Transportation Center, there was a glass downtown Chicago skyscraper on West Madison Street known as The NorthWestern Atrium Center. Prior to the 1984 demolition, this was originally the 1911 built NorthWestern Station.
After the merger and absorbtion of the Chicago & NorthWestern Railroad by the Union Pacific in 1998, the building was renamed The Richard B. Ogilvie Transportation Center in honor of the late Illinois Govoner who passed away in 1988.

Amtrak EMD SW-1 working Chicago Union Station. Chicago Illinois USA. November 1983.

I took this photo from the West Roosevelt Road bridge, in November of 1983. Pardon the unusual camera angle, I was just learning how to use My then new 35MM camera. An elderly, possibly a former New York Central Railroad EMD SW-1, was working the south tracks at Chicago Union Station. It was a sunny but cold afternoon.

Rare photograph! Construction of the CTA Orange line to Midway Airport. South Keeler Avenue near West 52nd Street. Chicago Illinois USA. April 1989.

I took this photo while I was out riding My bicycle, in April of 1989. Seen here looking east from South Keeler Avenue, is the early stages of Chicago Transit Authority Orange line construction. We are standing beside the heavilly ballasted Belt Railway of Chicago track, that serves the nearby Santa Fe Corwith Yard and industries east of there. Just beyond the empty cable spool to the left, is the former Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad Stockyards Branch, minus the track. The former IHB Stockyards branch was being dismantled and redeveloped at this time. The elevated CTA Orange line to Midway Airport, would have it's grand opening in October of 1993. This was one of a few "Last looks" for this photographer back then.

Boxcar delivered. The Northwest Industrial Park. Chicago Illinois USA. Late June 2007.

The factory in the background was just serviced in the morning by a Union Pacific Railroad switching local. I took this photograph looking east from North Kilbourn Avenue, in Chicago's Northwest Industrial Park. Switching locals, are the very lifeline of railroading in metropolitan industrial parks, as car loads of incoming supplies, or an empty car or two required to send out manufactured goods, pays the bills.

Speeding westbound BNSF Railway empty unit coal train. Stone Avenue station. La Grange Illinois USA. June 2007.

I took this photo on a cloudy evening after work, in late June of 2007. Seen here speeding westbound through the Stone Avenue station in west suburban La Grange Illinois, is a BNSF Railway empty unit coal train. This train is more than likely heading to the strip mines in the state of Wyoming. Wyoming's Powder River Basin is an area of heavy coal mining activity.

It finally stopped raining! Forest Park Illinois USA. July 2007.

I took this photo after a heavy thunderstorm had passed through west suburban Forest Park Illinois. The sun is coming out, as the water drains from the parking lot of the K Mart at 7630 West Roosevelt Road near Des Plaines Avenue.
Heavy rains have been known to arrive in the greater Chicagoland Area during the summer months, on very short notice occasionally.

Distant view of preserved ex Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe caboose. The Santa Fe Prarie. Hodgkins Illinois USA. July 2007.

I took this photo after work one day, looking southwest from the "New" overpass bridge that leads to River Road south of West 67th street.
Seen here looking off in the distance, is a preserved 1981 vintage caboose, from the former Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. This caboose is part of an exhibit in a local nature preserve known as "The Santa Fe Prarie".
This nature preserve is located on River Road in Hodgkins Illinois, in the back section of an industrial park, on the north bank of the Des Plaines River. ( out of view behind the caboose)

Eastbound Norfolk Southern Railroad light engine movement. Hayford Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. July 2007.

I took this beautifull summer morning photo in July of 2007, at Hayford Junction in Chicago Illinois. A three unit cut of Norfolk Southern wide cab locomotives, have just left Clearing Yard and are about to cross over the Canadian National ex GTW single crosstrack. In the background can be seen the South Pulaski Road overpass bridge, near Chicago's Richard J. Daley College.

Westbound Metra commuter train departing Chicago's Western Avenue station. December 2006.

Railfanning is an outdoor activity that spans year round depending on how rugged You are. I stood out in the cold to capture this scene last December, at the Western Avenue Metra commuter rail station. It is difficult for one to imagine Snow -Ice -Windchill factors -and seeing a sprinkling of Rock Salt on the station platform as You sit at Your computer on this August day. Just remember...This is Chicago during that "Other time of the year". Cold weather and all, one can find brilliant sunshine during the winter.

Eastbound CSX Transportation intermodal container train. Hayford Junction. Chicago Illinois USA. Early July 2007.

I took this photo after work one day, on a visit to one of My old 1980's era Chicago railfan haunts. Hayford Junction is a busy crosstrack junction and interchange location at West 75th Street and South Central Park Avenue. The CSX container train, has just left Clearing Yard, and is proceeding eastbound on the Belt Railway of Chicago right of way. Soon the train will cross over the Canadian National ex Grand Trunk Western crosstrack and interchange. Hayford Junction was one of My favorite places I visited during My early railfanning days back in the 1980's. Many things have changed here, but Hayford is still a very active junction today.

Former Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe covered hopper. Riverside Illinois USA. July 2007.

A fringe benefit of railfanning on location with a camera, is those occasional "Rare Finds"coupled onto a rolling freight train. I spotted this former Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe covered hopper still rolling around in full Santa Fe markings and reporting marks passing through the Metra / BNSF Railway commuter rail station in west suburban Riverside Illinois. In the year of 1995, the Burlington Northern Railroad, and the Atchinson, Topeka & Santa Fe merged and became todays BNSF Railway. The old Santa Fe was always one of My personal Chicago railroad favorites growing up in the windy city.