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…
Rails Around Northern Illinois will feature a lot of action in and around Chicago, with views such as this which aren’t always as recognizable today. On October 7, 1977, Rock Island’s Peoria Rocket departs LaSalle with just two coaches. The Rock Island would discontinue the train the following year, with the last run on December…
In writing/researching my upcoming book, Rails Around Northern Illinois, I developed a fondness for the then-rural areas northwest of Chicago. Tonight I offer this excerpt from Chapter 7, which covers this corner of northern Illinois: The Soo Line’s depot in Grayslake was on the west side of the mainline north of County Road A27. A…
The former NKP roundhouse in Frankfort, Indiana is currently being torn down after years of sitting abandoned. In honor of its memory, here are a pair of shots of former NKP 2-8-2 #587 at the roundhouse in June 1991. She would power excursions to Muncie the following weekend. A second volume of Rails Around Indiana…
From Chapter Five: The CGW cross the Fox River in St Charles on a six-span, five-pier plate-girder bridge north of the downtown area. Eastbound train #192 is captured crossing the bridge in January 1968 behind six F-units. The Great Western Trail now occupies the span. (Terry Norton) There are more fantastic shots like this of…
I will be at the 2026 St Louis Railroad Prototype Modelers Meet at Gateway Center in Collinsville, Illinois Friday July 24 and Saturday July 25, 10am-4pm. I will have copies of Rails Around Central Illinois, Southern Illinois and Missouri, plus a way to pre-order my next book, Rails Around Northern Illinois! Stop by and say…