These are stunning photographs! Thanks for taking the time to post all the images.

You are very welcome. I'm happy that these slides have value to some people. The slides are 67 years old and as time marches on there are fewer around from that time.

Steve

The last two photos were a new exhibit at the Rail Fair for 1949; The Cypress Gardens Water Show:

http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1949 ... s-tomorrow

The Chicago tribune article linked above explains that over 1,200,000 people visited the fair in 1948.

All photos from June, 1949.

Steve

Steve -

Like the photo of the exhibition of cabooses from the 1949 edition of the Fair. NYC, Pennsy and, what looks to be, B&O. Wish the numbers of the cars could be seen to determine if any of these particular cars ended up being preserved. The odds are probably against it, but you never know!

Les

I might try to display these on a screen with a projector and see if the focus is any better. I suspect that the camera and film were capable of better clarity but I don't know if something went wrong back then or if the film has degenerated over the past 67 years or if my scanner has an issue.

Steve

I think the slides are faded, as is common for slides that old. I find I can bring out better colors with fade correction in my software, and some other massaging, before they go on my Railroad Fair web site. But as to sharpness of focus, that was probably not affected by age so I don't think enlarging the image will help a lot. In any case it is great to have such comprehensive coverage of a long-ago event.

I agree. I had no idea that these existed until I cleaned his house out. I knew he had thousands of slides but didn't know what subject matter.

He also took many of rail yards around Chicago including locomotives and rolling stock. He was very interested in model railroading and might have taken those for possible reference for model building.

Steve

If your dad was taking pictures or slides of locomotives in the late 1940s or early 1950s, I'll bet he has some great shots of steam locomotives! Those would be of great interest to many, I am sure -- as well as to me, of course!

Yes, there are steamers in his slides. When I finish the Rail Fair I can go through the Chicago rail photos.

Steve

Here is a nice video about the Chicago rail system in the 1940's.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPzpi_fEJEo

Steve

North Special Events Stand; "Holland Day".



Dad wrote "C&EI Exhibit"



Rogers Locomotive



San Francisco Cable Car - Western Pacific Exhibit

All photos from June, 1949.

Steve

Interesting fact about that Rogers locomotive is that it (if im remembering correctly) is now is in the IRM collection but, is located at an off site location to keep it safe and secure as it is actually an old parade float car not an actual steam engine.

Here is information on where it is and what its condition currently is in.



http://hickscarworks.blogspot.com/2012/ ... e.html?m=1

Right you are. I had no idea this was not a real unit.

Steve

The last is described as the "Rio Grande" exhibit.

All from June, 1949.

Steve