I took this photograph during my first year of employment as a paratransit driver with First Transit.
Seen here shortly after I had hired on, is now retired 2001 Ford paratransit mini bus # 5841 at our former garage location at 1832 Pickwick Avenue in Glenview Illinois.
I took this photograph way back in December of 1985.
Buses from the Chicago Transit Authority's Route # 52 Kedzie / California bus line (Left) and the CTA Route # 52 A South Kedzie line, wait at the bus turn around terminal loop at South Kedzie Avenue and West 63rd Place, in Chicago's Marquette Park neighborhood.
I risked bitterly cold "Frostbite" conditions on this clear and windy single digit temperature winter morning, back in January of 2007.
I am actually glad that I did in the long run.
An EMD SW 1 yard switcher locomotive from the little known shortline Manufacturers Junction Railway, is viewed departing from the former Illinois Central Hawthorne Yard at Cicero Illinois with a short cut of cars in tow.
Update: My good friend and fellow Chicago railfan Anthony C, has informed Me that the MJ EMD SW 1 yard switchers from the late 1940's and early 1950's era, have been cut up for scrap recently on their property.
Thanks.
Eddie K.
I took this photograph one overcast winter morning, back in February of 2008.
An all night heavy lake effect snowstorm. has left several inches of accumulation through out the greater Chicagoland area.
Two snowplow equipped pick up trucks, are double teaming the VFW Hall parking lot in River Grove Illinois in the aftermath of the storm.
I photographed this digital live sound video recently, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club.
Seen here passing by the factories, is my early 1970's era (Circa 1972) switching local freight train, from the Illinois Central Gulf Railroad.
The Illinois Central Gulf was created from the August 10th 1972 merger of the Illinois Central, and the Gulf, mobile & Ohio Railroads.
Thanks.
Eddie K.
I took this night time "Pacing" photograph, back in late August of 2012.
This train was actually moving quiete slowly, and "not" as fast as it appears to be due to low lighting conditions.
This Canadian Pacific transfer freight train has just departed from the former Milwaukee Road Bensenville Yard, and is now passing through the Franklin Park Metra commuter rail station on a warm summer night.
I took this photograph way back in January of 1988.
A three unit set of Conrail locomotives running light, wait for clearance to proceed southbound through Brighton Junction near South Archer and Western Avenues in Chicago Illinois.
I took this photograph way back in January of 1990.
A southbound Burlington Northern Railroad transfer train traveling over the Belt Railway of Chicago, is viewed crossing West 67th Street, and rounding the east leg of the BRC's own West 68th Street wye junction. The train is heading in to the "Chicago" side of the Belt Railway of Chicago Clearing Yard.
I took this photograph back in late November of 2012.
Two modern hi tech diesel electric locomotives from the CSX Transportation Company , are viewed idling just west of the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond Indiana.
I took this photograph during a recent group photo outing to the far southeast side of Chicago.
Seen here on what appears to be possibly moderately active trackage just west of the abandoned U.S.S Steel South Works site, is a modern self propelled vehicle used for railroad track maintenance projects.
I photographed this digital live sound video recently, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club.
My Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad switching local from the late 1960's era, meets an early 1970's era freight train from the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad on the club layout.
Thanks.
Eddie K.
I took this photograph one evening after work back in August of 2010.
A fast moving northbound Metra express commuter train enroute to Kenosha Wisconsin, passes through north suburban Wilmette Illinois.
Hi everyone!
Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page, from the city of Chicago Illinois USA.
Here I am during a recent photo outing to the far southeast side of Chicago, back in late November of 2012. I am standing at the Metra commuter rail station at East 83rd Street in the South Chicago neighborhood.
This Metra station, serves rail commuters on the electrified former Illinois Central Railroad's own South Chicago branch.
Thanks.
Eddie K.
I took this photograph way back in January of 1988.
A northbound Burlington Northern Railroad transfer train, is viewed passing through Brighton Junction near South Archer and Western Avenues.
Seen in the background, is the now long since demolished Campbell Soup Factory at West 35th Street.
I took this photograph on an overcast and occasionally rainy springtime afternoon, way back in April of 1990.
A northbound Grand Trunk Western Railroad transfer train, is viewed crossing West 123rd Street in south suburban Alsip Illinois.
I took this photograph during a group photo outing to the far southeast side of Chicago, and neighboring near northwest Indiana.
I took this photograph at Whiting Indiana. I do not know much about this railroad with a used ex Canadian National EMD yard switcher featuring Savage markings.
I would like to know more about this little railroad, that apparently seems to be serving the oil refineries and possibly steel mills in the Whiting and Hammond Indiana area.
Thanks.
Eddie K.
I took this photograph on a crystal clear but very bitterly cold morning, back in January of 2007.
An eastbound Metra express commuter train enroute to the Richard B. Ogilvie Transportation Center in downtown Chicago (Formerly NorthWestern Station), approaches the River Forest station.
I took this photograph back in December of 2008.
Seen here in a snowy winter setting, is the Schiller Park Metra commuter rail station. This train station serves Metra commuters on the Monday to Friday only Canadian National owned Northern Central line to Antioch Illinois.
Merry Christmas everyone!
Thanks.
Eddie K.
Hi everyone!
Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page, from the city of Chicago Illinois USA.
I took this photograph on a very snowy morning, back in December of 2008.
A heavy lake effect snowstorm has struck the greater Chicagoland area the previous evening and in to the early morning hours.
Three snowplow equipped dump trucks from the Niles Public Services Company, are viewed plowing snow and spreading road salt, at the intersection of Waukegan Road and Oakton Street in northwest suburban Niles Illinois.
Thanks.
Eddie K.
I took this photograph back in January of 2007.
Seen here facing near the intersection of North Lehigh and West Devon Avenues, is the little Edgebrook Metra commuter rail station on the far northwest side of Chicago.
This depot serves Metra commuter trains on the Metra / Milwaukee District northline to Fox Lake Illinois.
I took this photograph on a sunny but very bitterly cold and windy winter morning, back in January of 2007.
We are on the Chicago side of the crosstracks at Hawthorne Junction, located at the border of west suburban Cicero Illinois.
A northbound Iowa, Chicago & Eastern transfer train, is viewed traveling over the Belt Railway of Chicago tracks. The train is passingthrough the Canadian National ex Illinois Central crosstracks at this location.
I took this photograph back in early February of 2008.
The greater Chicagoland area, was just hit with a major heavy lake effect snowstorm. Seen here at the Canadian Pacific ex Milwaukee Road Bensenville Yard alongside Green Street in northwest suburban Bensenville Illinois, are diesel locomotives from the Canadian Pacific, and the CSX Transportation Company railroads.
I photographed this silent digital video with my old camera one snowy morning, back in December of 2007.
We are on location at the former Milwaukee Road Metra commuter rail station at Western Avenue. Seen across from the station during the morning snowstorm, is a slow moving Metra commuter train, heading to the nearby Metra / Union Pacific coach yard and maintenance facility at North California Avenue.
In past years, the Western Avenue station was a great place to view commuter trains from the Milwaukee Road, and the neighboring Chicago & NorthWestern railroads. Both of these railroads had coach yard and maintenance facilities across the tracks from each other,which are operated today by Chicago's Metra commuter rail agency.
I took this wintertime photograph, back in February of 2010.
A recent snowfall, has lightly covered the Chicago Transit Authority's Linden Avenue purple line yard and terminal in Wilmette Illinois.
Although it was quiete cold and windy outside at the time, this photograph was definately worth the time and effort.
Happy holidays everyone!
Thanks.
Eddie K.
Hi everyone!
Welcome aboard Eddie's Railfan Page, from the city of Chicago Illinois USA.
This past Saturday night, I went out on a family outing to the first night of the lighted and very festive "Holiday Magic" celebration at Chicago's Brookfield Zoo.
Brookfield Zoo is normally not open to the public after dark. In recent years, the Brookfield Zoo began a seasonal series of night time events like the annual "Boo at the zoo" Halloween event in October, and the increasingly popular "Holiday Magic" in December.
This photograph was E mailed to me, by my brother in law Ralph. This is one of many lighted displays inside the zoo during the December Holiday Magic event.
Thanks Ralph.
Eddie K.
I took this photograph during the October 1988 Berwyn Houby Day Parade in west suburban Berwyn Illinois.
Seen here marching in the parade and greeting the many bystanders with a smile and a kind wave, is non other than CBS Channel 2 News weather reporter Harry Volkman.
He is nice to watch on television, and he is even kinder in public. I have always been one of his local Chicago area television fans myself for many years.
Thanks.
Eddie K.
I took this photograph, way back in January of 1988.
A northbound Burlington Northern Railroad transfer train being led by two EMD yard switcher locomotives, is viewed passing through Brighton Junction, near the intersection of South Archer and Western Avenues in Chicago.
This is the area where Chicago's Brighton Park and Mc Kinley Park neighborhoods border each other.
This photograph was taken way back in May of 1988.
Me and my good buddy Steve who I attended Washburne Trade School with in Chicago back in 1981, are viewed having fun racing Go Karts, at a place known as Fun Time Square in south suburban Alsip Illinois.
I'm the guy with the black T shirt to the left.
Thanks.
Eddie K.
I took this photograph way back in January of 1990.
The Chicago Transit Authority's "New" orange line rapid transit to Midway Airport is now under construction. A Fiat -Allis front end loader tractor from the Chicago Sewers Department, is viewed parked near West 59th Street on a sunny winter afternoon.
The October 1988 Berwyn Houby Day Queen Gala Verdugo in the Berwyn Illinois Houby Day Parade.
I took this photograph back in December of 2006.
Seen here on a very sunny morning during a mild December day, is an eastbound BNSF Railway unit coal train, passing through west suburban Brookfield Illinois.
Hi friends!
This is Eddie K, Your host and photographer here at Eddie's Railfan Page.
In the latest "Eddie News Brief", word has it that plans are in the works at this time, for a return appearance on the Comcast Public Access Channel 19 cable television production known as "The Larry and Mike Show".
My September taping at the Comcast cable television studios in Elmhurst Illinois, was aired through out the month of October in 2012.
Mike Mikrut has expressed an interest for presenting a show about "Chicago's Amusement Parks Of The Past" sometime possibly early next year.
If you can remember fun summertime establishments from Chicago's past like Riverview Park, Adventure Land in Addison Illinois, Dispensa's Kiddie Kingdom in Oak Brook Terrace, Playland Park in Justice Illinois, or any of the greater Chicago areas once numerous family owned amusement parks that existed prior to the late 1970's and early 1980's era...then you will definately wan't to tune into this fascinating show featuring photos and possibly some home movies taken at these places.
This will definately be a fun show to watch!
Please stay tuned for further details as they become available.
Thanks.
Eddie K.
I took this photograph, during a mild December afternoon back in 2006.
A Ford pick up truck from Chicago's Metra commuter rail agency, is viewed at the Thatcher Avenue railroad crossing in River Grove Illinois.
I took this photograph back in January of 2007.
Looking south from the top of the West Roosevelt Road overpass bridge near downtown Chicago, we see an Amtrak train being serviced at the coach yard, just immeidiately south of Chicago Union Station.
Just recently, several boxes of 35 mm photographs that I had taken during the 1980's, surfaced during a recent visit to my Mother's house. These photos were in storage for several years, and pretty much put aside.
After several years, I decided to scan many of these to photo CD's, and share some of my "Lost" photographs with everyone here at Eddie's Railfan Page.
I took this photograph facing east on West Cermak Road, in the west suburban village of Berwyn Illinois. The event was the annual Berwyn Illinois Houby Day Parade, which takes place every year in October.
"Houby" (Pronounced "Ho -Bee") is actually a Czech language word for Mushroom. Every year Berwyn celebrates their Czech American heritage of the past, with the annual Houby Fest along West Cermak Road.
In this photograph, the parade is just begining. The man operating the Go Kart designed to look like a Police patrol car, is proboubly the official Berwyn Chief of Police. Here he is leading the start of the annual Berwyn Houby Day Parade.
Thanks.
Eddie K.
I took this photograph a couple of weeks ago, in north suburban Glenview Illinois.
A utility pick up truck from the local Glenview Public Works, is viewed waiting to make a sharp right turn on to Chestnut Avenue, as soon as the Amtrak Hiawatha enroute to Milwaukee Wisconsin clears the railroad crossing.
I took this photograph back in late October of 2012.
An eastbound Norfolk Southern Railroad freight train with a few Canadian Pacific Railroad coupled on to the locomotive consist up front, passes through the Elmwood Park Metra commuter rail station around sunset.
I took this photograph recently, in Hammond Indiana.
Parked on a siding near the steel mills in Hammond Indiana, is a specialized machine used in snow removal operations. This machine, is equipped with an old jet airplane engine for snow blowing operations, and is used primarilly for clearing track switches in industrial areas.
Hammond Indiana gets more than it's share of heavy lake effect snow during any given winter season.
I photographed this digital live sound video two weeks ago, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club.
An early 1950's era streamlined passenger train from the former Milwaukee Road, is viewed crossing the Missisippi River lift bridge on the club layout.
Thanks.
Eddie K.
An era has came to an end for local Chicago fans of the Arby's Roast Beef fast food restaurant chain.
The old Arby's that had stood for many years on North Harlem Avenue, just south of the intersection at West Irving Park Road...is about to have a meeting with a bulldozer.
The architecture indicates, that this may have been one of the early original Arby's locations going back to the 1960's and 70's era. Prior to the location being closed for good in December of 2010, this location also featured a tall original neon roadside sign from years past.
For some unexplained reason or another...many of the Arby's locations in the greater Chicagoland area, had closed within the last ten years. Only a small handful are left today.
Thanks.
Eddie K.
I took this photograph one lovely autum morning, back in October of 2007.
An eastbound Metra local commuter train enroute to Chicago Union Station from Elgin Ilinois, makes the station stop at northwest suburban Franklin Park Illinois.
