Jan, since I live in Chicago, I thought I would try to match up some of the pictures you posted that were in Chicago and the surrounding area with pictures of the same locations. I came up with 3.
First is the Elmhurst station in 1899. Back then the tracks belonged to the Chicago Northwestern. Today it's Union Pacific
Next is the 12th st. bridge over the Chicago River in 1905. Today it,s called Roosevelt Road.
Last is the south Water St rail yard in 1943 with the Tribune Tower in the background. The rail yard is no longer there, but the Tribune Tower is.