Favorite Welcome to Michaelckelly.net!

Welcome to michaelckelly.net, new home for railfan, author & podcaster Michael C Kelly. On this blog you’ll find information on published books, videos, podcasts, railfan experiences, plus info on upcoming projects.

As of January 2024, the Rails Around Train Guy video podcast is well underway, with multiple episodes and growing subscribers. The show focuses on railroad history; encouraging the younger generation to learn about and preserve it. I will be interviewing museums and historical societies, up and coming younger railfans & making that crossover from fan to historical society.

My next book has been announced: Rails Around Northern Illinois. I’ve shied away from it because there are so many books on the individual railroads written by authors far more educated than me. But as someone pointed out, there isn’t a comprehensive northern Illinois book like the format I produce. So here we are! Please check out that page, and the other books I’ve produced. I strive to put forth a quality material that both the serious and casual train enthusiast can enjoy.

So be sure to check out the various pages on my site using the links on the header, and welcome to michaelckelly.net!

New book announcement

working/temporary cover image for Rails Around Northern Illinois. Photo by Jack Hawkins

With the success of the southern Illinois book, I am moving on to Northern Illinois in the same format. This book will cover all of the major railroads from the Iowa/Wisconsin borders down to the same I-70 dividing line used for the Southern Illinois book.

Rail lines I aim to cover include: the Santa Fe, B&O/B&OCT, Chicago, Aurora & Elgin, CB&Q/BN, C&EI, Chicago Great Western, Chicago & Illinois Midland, C&NW, Conrail, EJ&E, Erie/EL, GM&O, Grand Trunk, Illinois Central/ICG (including Chicago Central spin-off), Illinois Terminal, L&N (C&EI and Monon), Milwaukee Road, Monon, NYC, NKP/N&W, The North Shore Line, PRR/PC, Rock Island, Soo Line/Wisconsin Central, and the Wabash/N&W.

I am seeking original color slides or scans from 1945-1995. I prefer ACTION shots over roster, plus there’s always a section in the back with depots & towers. The more remote/branch line or now abandoned, the better. (I love those shots!) I can accept your scans (specific size required) or I can scan them myself. I can provide plenty of references as to safe slide handling and return, as this is my 6th book, and have worked with many photographers. All contributors (images, editors) receive a copy of the book and proper caption credit under each photo published.

If you are interested in contributing/participating, please contact me: atsf101@hotmail.com or 314 809-9310. I don’t always answer numbers I don’t recognize so leave me a voicemail if you get it and I will call you back ASAP.

Rails Around Train Guy is LIVE on YouTube!

Thumbnail for episode 2: Illinois Railway Museum

In a reboot of my 20-year-old YouTube channel, I have launched a new semi-weekly show called The Rails Around Train Guy Show! It is a general-audience video podcast that will feature museums, volunteers, excursions, historical societies, reputable railfan photographers, fellow authors and unique collectors of railroadiana or even model railroads.

The first 3 episodes are live on YouTube and can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD2hjsXkLaMuFvZ-mMNfgQQ

Check out the channel, subscribe and like all of the videos! The more likes and views, the more visibility the channel has in the YouTube algorithm, which grows the channel!

MP Blue @ Rend Lake 1985

Ina is a small town on Rend Lake, just south of Mt. Vernon. A retired couple casts their lines as a Texas-bound Union Pacific train with all-MP blue on the point crosses the lake in April, 1985. At Benton, this train will head southwest for Gorham, where it will connect to the busy St. Louis-Texas mainline. (Bob Schmidt, photo; MPHS collection)
For more great shots like this, order your autographed copy of Rails Around Southern Illinois today: michaelckelly.net/?page_id=7467