Westbound Canadian Pacific Railroad freight train. Bensenville Illinois USA. August 2006.

Seen here passing through the Metra commuter rail station in northwest suburban Bensenville Illinois, is a westbound Canadian Pacific freight train. The manifest freight run has just left Bensenville Yard and is picking up speed as it leaves the town behind it. Prior to 1990, this was the Soo Line Railroad, wich had bought out the former and very bankrupt Milwaukee Road back in 1985. This line is the former Milwaukee Road mainline.

Northbound Canadian Pacific Railroad freight train on a hold order. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2006.

Seen here waiting for clearance to proceed, is a northbound CP Rail freight train on Belt Railway of Chicago trackage. This is alongside North Kenton Avenue on Chicago's westside. The overpass viaduct crosses over the Union Pacific Ex Chicago & North Western west line. The factory building in the background is the abandoned Brach's candy factory.

Northbound Canadian Pacific freight train with Indianna Railroad diesel locomotives. Chicago Illinois USA. August 2006.

Seen here waiting on a "Hold Order", is a northbound Canadian Pacific Railroad freight train with a couple of extra diesels on board from the Indianna Railroad. This train is on the Belt Railway of Chicago trackage alongside North Kenton Avenue on Chicago's Westside. The Indianna Railroad diesel locomotives are secondhand EMD SD60 locomotives from the former Soo Line Railroad. The sides were hastilly painted over with Indianna Railroad markings, but the colors are 100 percent Soo Line.

Westbound Metra commuter train at Elmhurst Illinois USA.

Seen here on a Tuesday afternoon, a westbound Metra commuter rail train from Chicago has -
stopped at the Elmhurst commuter rail station.
This depot is located on York Street in downtown
Elmhurst Illinois.

Elmwood Park Metra station. Elmwood Park Illinois USA. August 2006.

Seen here on a hot August morning in 2006, is the Elmwood Park Metra commuter railroad
station in Chicago's northwest suburbs. This
was taken after I had bought My first digital
camera.

Autum in the city of Chicago. Late October 2006.

Yes folks ...It's that time again. Grab the rake.
Welcome to Eddie's Railfan Page. I don't know why I had taken this unique photograph of a Sewer Lid, but it seemed kinda of Artistic in some seasonal sort of way, and I felt it captured the mood of a very colorfull Chicago season.
This sewer with fallen leaves is located on West Thomas Street just east of North Damen Avenue. I was getting out of My car to service one of My Tavern sales accounts across the street.

Warning sign. CTA Blue Line rapid transit to O'Hare Airport. Chicago Illinois USA. November 2006.

I had taken this photo on the I-90 Kennedy Expressway near Addison Street in the city of Chicago Illinois. I was stuck in a traffic jam, and since I couldnt move fast at all...I made the best of it all and took it in stride.

Inbound CTA Blue Line train on I-90 Kennedy Expressway median. Chicago Illinois USA. November 2006.

On occasion, a traffic jam can benefit ones opportunitys to capture various railfan subjects. I was stuck in this particulair Traffic Jam heading westbound in the Express Lanes on the I-90 Kennedy Expressway . The location of the afternoon sun and the Expressway Median used for the Chicago Transit Authority Blue Line rapid transit to O'Hare Airport worked to My advantage. Having a camera handy helped too.

In loving memory.My friend Punkin. 1991 -2006.

The last photo on todays posting, is dedicated in loving memory to a wonderful pet friend that passed away last night.
Seen here approximately one week ago, is My Wife's dog "Punkin". I met My wife Cheryl at Karaoke 4 years ago, started steady dating -became engaged after two years -and said the magic words "I do" on June 24th 2006. Punkin and her Sister Chihuauhua "Lucky" (died 2004) had a reputation of not taking to everyone. Lucky and Punkin loved Me from day one and basically welcomed Me into the Family. Her Family was impressed that these two dogs wanted to be My buddy and it was great having Punkin greet Me after work, or just to hang around and follow Me everywhere around the house. She was fun.
Punkin unfortunately has been suffering from heart related illness for the last 3 years, and the lord decided that Heaven needed a loving little dog. She passed away last night at age 15.
Her loving mannerisms and cute comical little antics will be missed.
Peace My friend.

Elgin,Joliet & Eastern Railroad switching local. Cresthill Illinois USA. March 2000.

I had taken this photo of an Elgin,Joliet & Eastern Railroad switching local near the Joliet Illinois area. I was working at the time as a delivery truck driver in the area, and was fortunate enough to take My camera to work that day. At the time of the photograph, The E,J,&,E was painting their road service diesels in a bright orange color scheme, while the yard switchers such as the one seen here were painted in a green color scheme. This elederly EMD SW Series diesel switcher was photographed near Route # 53 and Caton Farm Road in southwest suburban Cresthill Illinois, near the city of Joliet.

Eastbound Indianna Harbor Belt Railroad freight train. Chicago Ridge Illinois USA. October 2003.

A cloudy but mild day In October of 2003, finds an eastbound Indianna Harbor Belt Railroad freight train passing through southwest suburban Chicago Ridge Illinois. A crew member is enjoying a little fresh air riding on the front locomotive platform. This photograph is looking west from Ridgeland Avenue. The bridge in the background is U.S Route # 7 Southwest Highway.

Southbound Union Pacific freight train. Bridgeview Illinois USA. April 2006.

This photo was taken at West 71st Street in the village of Bridgeview Illinois. I was living in Bridgeview at the time, and photographed this train on My way home that day. This train is travelling southbound over the Indianna Harbor Belt railroad mainline.

Northbound Canadian Pacific freight train. Bridgeview Illinois USA. November 2003.

Seen here moving north over the Indianna Harbor Belt Railroad trackage, is a Canadian Pacific freight train with leased or recently purchased former Union Pacific Railroad locomotives. This train was spotted moving north through southwest suburban Bridgeview Illinois on a cold November morning in 2003. Notice how the Union Pacific markings on the lead unit have been painted over.

Westbound Metra local commuter train. La Grange Illinois USA. March 2006.

I had taken this evening photo after work in March of the year 2006. A westbound all stops Metra local is stopping at the Metra / BNSF La Grange Road station, located in downtown La Grange Illinois in Chicago's western suburbs. The locomotive is a late 1980's vintage EMD F-59PH.

Westbound Amtrak Illinois Zephyr at Hollywood Station. Brookfield Illinois USA. October 2006.

I had taken this evening photo after work one day in October of 2006. We are at the BNSF / Metra Hollywood Station commuter stop on the east side of the suburban village of Brookfield Illinois. This commuter train station is unique in design and is known as the Zoo Stop for the nearby Brookfield Zoo approximately 5 blocks from this station stop. Zooming by at what appears to be a good 60 to 70 Miles per hour is the Amtrak Illinois Zephyr wich is utilizing a General Electric Genesis Series P-42 diesel locomotive in the Acella color scheme. On the other end of the train is an elderly late 1970's vintage EMD F-40ph , wich had long since been rebuilt into a very practical baggage control car. This way the locomotive crew doesn't have to run around the train or be wyed for the other direction at the terminal. Time saving genious.

Metra commuter locomotives during the Mid day layover. Chicago Illinois USA. October 2006.

Seen here looking north from West Kinzie Street in the city of Chicago Illinois, are several Metra commuter service diesel locomotives at the Union Pacific Railroad's M-19 Diesel Locomotive Shops located at 400 North Pulaski Road. The blue vechicles behind the engines are several City of Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation garbage trucks at a maintenance garage facility.

The Union Pacific Railroad M-19 Diesel Locomotive Shops. Chicago Illinois USA. October 2006.

A former Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad EMD SD 45 T acquired through a mid 1990's Merger is seen at the Union Pacific Railroad M-19 Diesel Locomotive Shop located at 400 North Pulaski Road on Chicago's Westside. Notice the yellow "Patch" panel with red Union Pacific style markings under the cab window.
Also seen behind the freight locomotives are several Metra EMD F 40 PH commuter service units for Metra basking in the sun during the Mid day layover around 12: 30 PM.

The Grand Avenue underpass project under construction. Franklin Park Illinois USA. October 2006.

Seen here on Grand Avenue just east of 25th Avenue, is the Grand Avenue Underpass wich is under construction. Grand Avenue passes under the Indianna Harbor Belt Railroad here, wich prior to the construction was notorious for numerous traffic back ups and delays for commuters and motorists.

Northbound Canadian Pacific Railroad freight train on Belt Railway of Chicago trackage. Chicago Illinois USA. October 2006.

I had taken this beautiful morning photo on Chicago's westside in October of 2006. Seen here is a northbound Canadian Pacific freight train passing over the Union Pacific Railroad mainline, at West Kinzie and North Kenton Avenue. The Belt Railway of Chicago passes over the Union Pacific Railroads former Chicago & North Western Railroad West line. The large brown building to the right is the abandoned Brach's candy factory. The Canadian Pacific train is heading north to Cragin Junction at Kenton and Grand Avenues, where it will switch onto the former Milwaukee Road mainline and head west to Bensenville Yard near O'Hare Airport.

Lets eat! Jeri's Grill. On the corner of Montrose and Western Avenues. Chicago Illinois USA. May 2006.

Good morning everybody!
Welcome to Eddie's Railfan Page. Today is bus day here at My blog site. Going on location photographing transportation subjects in and around Chicago requires energy, as the fresh air can really make You hungry. We will start our Bus Day posting by meeting for breakfast at Jeri's Grill on Chicago's northside. Vicky to the right and Julie on Your left are about to serve us a delicious homestyle breakfast with sliced potatoes. There is plenty of hot sauce and other condoments on the counter and plenty of fresh coffee for your enjoyment. This is a nice diner where all the locals know each other and chat.