Welcome to michaelckelly.net, 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 May 2026, my next book, Rails Around Northern Illinois, is in production with an expected release in October 2026. It will cover the…
Sunday Evening Post, September 27, 2026 finds C&NW F7 #419 leading five other F7s crossing Palatine Rd in Palatine with an eastbound train in February 1981. The train is heavy with finished automobiles, and will take the New Line connection at Seeger Junction to Proviso yard. This scene has changed quite a bit, with the…
We have a delivery date! Rails Around Northern Illinois will be in stock October 19! Shipments will begin ASAP on a first ordered-first shipped basis. This includes contributors and dealers as well. Rails Around Northern Illinois, if you haven’t heard by now, is my biggest book ever, weighing in at 360 pages with over 1000…
Railfan & Railroad Magazine published a review of Rails Around Northern Illinois in their October 2026 issue. Written by Railfan’s Frank Garon, the review on page 21 is overwhelmingly positive, and bottom line says it is “Very highly recommended”! See below and order your copy today! Rails Around Northern Illinois
I will be returning to the Monticello Railway Museum Saturday-only, September 19 at their Railroad Days festival! Come out, ride and photograph the trains, and pick up a copy of Rails Around Central Illinois, Southern Illinois, and see the hard-copy preview of the Northern Illinois book, due out next month! The Central Illinois book includes…
In the 1980s, Conrail was operating “hot bottle” trains for Acme Steel using a section of the former Panhandle in Riverdale to Inland Steel’s Indiana Harbor Works plant in East Chicago, Indiana, via connection at Dolton to the IHB. Conrail GP38 #7720 brings one such empty train off the Panhandle onto the IHB in April…