First & Fastest

10/12/2026

Norman Carlson kicks off the Autumn 2026 issue of First & Fastest with a great look at Metra’s new SD70‑MACH #525, unveiled as a tribute to America’s 250th birthday. The article digs into the design process, the symbolism behind the paint, and the people who brought this patriotic locomotive to life.
Head to your local newsstand or hobby shop—or become a Shore Line Interurban Historical Society member today—to pick up your copy.

https://www.shore-line.org/

10/12/2026

Photos of the Day! CTA Line car S-606. CTA purchased Line Car 606 from the abandoned North Shore Line in late 1963 to help prepare the former CNS&M trackage from East Prairie Road to Dempster for the opening of the Skokie Swift in April 1964. After that the S-606 worked the Evanston Branch and freight overhead. The car was partially destroyed by fire at Skokie Shop in November 1977. These four photos were taken in 1977 working on her old home rails.

606 was built by the Cincinnati Car Co, in 1923. One of the few line cars built new and not converted from an existing car.

Photos by Lou Gerard.

10/11/2026

South Shore Sunday!
Photos by Lou Gerard.

10/10/2026

This Autumn 2026 issue of First & Fastest brings together work from Norman Carlson, Bruce Moffat, Paul Jaenicke, and more—covering Metra, South Shore, interurbans, Chicago “L,” streetcars, electrification milestones, and a wide range of other historical material - one of the strongest lineups in recent years!

Head to your local newsstand or hobby shop—or become a Shore Line Interurban Historical Society member today to receive every issue.

https://www.shore-line.org/

Shore Line Interurban Historical Society PO Box 425 Lake Forest, IL 60045-0425

10/10/2026

Photos of the Day! Due to climbing ridership, Amtrak has added a fourth Superliner to the Borealis. It occasionally would operate with four cars and sometimes even five. When the Borealis arrives in Chicago in the evening, it doubles back to Milwaukee as Hiawatha 341. It returns to Chicago in the morning as Hiawatha 332 before going back out as The Borealis 1333. The only Hiawatha’s with Superliner equipment.
Photos by Lou Gerard this past week.

10/10/2026

There was some off color language used in some of the comments in one of the posts. This will not be tolerated on this page, so please refrain from using such language. It’s fine to disagree but not like that.

10/09/2026

And here are some night views of the IT photo shoot at IRM.

10/09/2026

A belated posting of some of Bruce Moffat's photos taken at the recent Illinois Terminal shoot at the Illinois Railway Museum. The day included both daytime and nighttime photo opportunities. Here are some daytime views. A big shout-out to Shore Line director Dave Zeman for helping to set up this event.

10/09/2026

Moffat's Retro "L" Photos presents some views taken around the Wilson Avenue shop and yard by CRT/CTA shopman Ed Mizerocki. Ed usually had a camera with him 2hile on the job. frequently bought his camera to work from the 1950's into the 1970's. Seen here are two views of ex-funeral-turned medical car 2756 taken around 1950-51 not long before it was scrapped, and then a few views of other equipment in and around the complex. His cameras were not necessarily the best, but he had an "eye" for what to photograph. The 1958 photos of open platform car are of S-111, the former 1024, which has been restored as Northwestern Elevated 24 at the Illinois Railway Museum.

10/09/2026

Photos of the Day! CTA Green Hornet PCC cars with Pepsi Bottle cap ads for a test that never made it beyond these photos. St. Louis built one man PCC 4059 and Pullman PCC 4151 pose out side of 77th St. carbarn. The Pepsi bottle caps are reminiscent of Johnstown PA. PCC streetcars that carried these advertisements.
CTA photos from Lou Gerard collection.