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South Shore Line

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For other uses, see South Shore Line (disambiguation).

South Shore Line
Silver single-level electric passenger train on the street in front of a brick church in Michigan City, Indiana
A street-running South Shore Line train passes a church in Michigan City, Indiana
Overview
StatusOperational
LocaleChicago, Illinois to South Bend, Indiana
Termini
Stations19
Websitenictd.com
Service
TypeInterurban
Commuter rail
Services1
Operator(s)NICTD
Ridership3,606,926 (-1.67%)[1] annually
History
Opened1903
Technical
Line length90 miles (140 km)
Track gauge4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
ElectrificationOverhead catenary, 1500 V DC
Route map
Template:Infobox rdt

The South Shore Line (reporting mark NICD) is an electrically powered interurban commuter rail line operated by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) between Millennium Station in downtown Chicago and the South Bend International Airport in South Bend, Indiana. The name refers to both the physical line and the service operated over that route. The line was built in 1901–1908 by predecessors of the Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad, which continues to operate freight service. Passenger operation was assumed by the NICTD in 1989.

History

Private operation

Main article: Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad § History

The South Shore Line was constructed between 1901–1908 by the Chicago and Indiana Air Line Railway (reorganized as the Chicago, Lake Shore and South Bend Railway in 1904). Revenue service between Michigan City and South Bend began on July 1, 1908. The Lake Shore leased the Kensington and Eastern Railroad on April 4, 1909, giving it access to Chicago. That year the full line to Kensington on the Illinois Central was completed, and beginning on June 2, 1912, the electric cars were coupled to IC steam locomotives and run to downtown Chicago.[2]

A Chicago, Lake Shore & South Bend limited train near the Indiana Dunes in the 1920s

The Lake entered bankruptcy in 1925 and was bought by Samuel Insull's Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad (CSS&SB).[3] The line continued to handle both freight and passengers. Under Insull, the company embarked on a major rehabilitation program. This included new ballast and ties, 100-pound (45 kg) rail in place of 70-pound (32 kg) rail, brush clearance, and an overhaul of the line's block signals.[4] In 1946 the company acquired three Little Joe electric locomotives for freight service. These locomotives had originally been constructed for the Soviet Union, but changing attitudes due to the Cold War prevented them from being delivered. These locomotives continued in freight service on the South Shore until 1983, making them the last electric locomotives in regular freight service in the United States. One, number 803, is preserved in running condition at the Illinois Railway Museum.

The power system was changed from 6600 volts AC to 1500 volts DC on July 28, 1926, allowing trains to operate directly to the Illinois Central's Randolph Street Terminal without an engine change. Trains began running to Chicago on August 29.[5] That same year, the original line between East Chicago and Indiana Harbor was abandoned.[2]

The CSS&SB turned a profit during World War II due to the industrial nature of Northern Indiana. However, highway competition and suburban growth led to ridership declines. By the 1950s all interurban lines were seeing a decline in rail travel as automobile use increased.[6] On September 16, 1956, a street running section in East Chicago was removed with the building of a new alignment alongside the Indiana Toll Road.[citation needed] A truncation to west of downtown South Bend removed street trackage in that city from July 1, 1970.[2]

A Pullman Company electric interurban unit heading west toward Michigan City in 1980.

The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway acquired the CSS&SB on January 3, 1967 and continued the operation of passenger services.[7] The CSS&SB was one of six railroads with "long-distance" passenger services to decline joining Amtrak in 1971 and in 1976, they asked the Interstate Commerce Commission to abandon passenger service. The ICC gave the State of Indiana a chance to reply and subsequently, the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District was formed in 1977 to fund the service. When the railway went bankrupt, passenger service was taken over by the NICTD in December 1989. In December 1990, the track was sold to the NICTD and freight service was taken over by the new Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad, a subsidiary of short line operator Anacostia and Pacific.

Public operation

Southbound NICTD South Shore train, led by car No. 109, seen entering the 55th–56th–57th Street station in Hyde Park (Chicago)

On November 21, 1992, the line's South Bend terminus moved from the Amtrak station to the airport.[8] On July 5, 1994, NICTD closed the Ambridge, Kemil Road, Willard Avenue, LaLumiere, Rolling Prairie, and New Carlisle flag stops. A seventh station, Dune Acres, closed around the same time once parking was expanded at nearby Dune Park.[9]

The railroad began a three-year project in 2009 to replace all catenary on its line between Michigan City and Gary, some of which was nearly 90 years old. The project cost $18 million, and caused service disruptions on weekends (five in August–October 2009, one in May 2010 and five more in August–November 2010) while new wires were strung. The 2009 and 2010 weekend outages truncated trains at Gary Metro Center.[10] During the August–November 2010 disruptions Amtrak's Wolverine provided service to the Amtrak Michigan City station.[11]

In 2015 NICTD began an express service between South Bend and Chicago. Targeted at business travelers, the train will make just two intermediate stops: Dune Park and East Chicago. The total scheduled travel time is 1 hour 55 minutes; more than thirty minutes faster than existing services.[12]

Route

Departing South Bend Airport, the South Shore Line makes a loop around a section of South Bend, before connecting with the tracks that ran to its former terminus. Between that point and Hudson Lake, Indiana, the South Shore Line runs parallel to Norfolk Southern's Chicago Line, also used by Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited and Capitol Limited, on the north side of the tracks. From Hudson Lake, the South Shore continues straight west to Michigan City. In Michigan City, the track runs down the middle of 11th street, crosses the line used by Amtrak's Michigan Services, and then runs down the middle of 10th street. West of Michigan City, the track travels through Indiana Dunes State Park, crosses over the Chicago Line and runs parallel to it, this time on the south side, past Long Lake. At Gary, Indiana, the route heads west to service the Gary Airport, at times running parallel to the Indiana Toll Road, to Hammond, Indiana. Just west of the Hammond station, the route crosses into Illinois, at which point the track curves northwest, through the Hegewisch neighborhood and, after crossing the Bishop Ford Freeway and the Calumet River, converges with the Metra Electric line south of Kensington/115th Street station. The South Shore Line then shares Metra Electric tracks from Kensington/115th Street the rest of the way to Millennium Station.

Rolling stock

Current

A bilevel unit at Miller in 2011.

The South Shore Line operates with a fleet of 82 rail cars built between 1982–2009 by Nippon Sharyo. The fleet consists of 58 single-level self-propelled cars, 10 single-level unpowered trailers, and 14 bilevel self-propelled cars.[13] The single level fleet's design is shared with MARC's locomotive haul MARC II fleet.[citation needed]

Builder Model Built Road Numbers
Nippon Sharyo Single-level electric multiple unit 1982–1983, 1992 1–48
Nippon Sharyo Trailer 1992 201–210
Nippon Sharyo Single-level electric multiple unit 2001 101–110
Nippon Sharyo Bi-level electric multiple unit 2009 301–314

Retired

CSS no. 102, built by Pullman-Standard in 1926, street-running in South Bend in 1962.
CSS no. 31, built by Standard Steel Car in 1929, at Randolph Street in 1968.

Pullman-Standard and the Standard Steel Car Company delivered electric multiple units to the Chicago, South Shore and South Bend Railroad between 1926–1929. Many were lengthened in the 1930s and 1940s.[14]

Builder Model Built Road Numbers Notes
Pullman-Standard 56-seat coach smoker 1926 1–10
Pullman-Standard 80-seat coach 1926 11–15 Lengthened in 1942–46
Pullman-Standard 80-seat coach 1927 16–25 Lengthened in 1945–47
Standard Steel 80-seat coach 1929 26–29 Lengthened in 1948
Standard Steel 48-seat coach smoker 1929 30–37; 39
Standard Steel 56-seat coach 1929 38
Standard Steel 48-seat coach smoker 1938 40 Rebuilt from trailer no. 213
Pullman-Standard 64-68 seat coach-baggage 1926 100–109 Lengthened in 1943–44 and modernized in 1949–50
Standard Steel 64-seat coach-baggage 1951 110–111 Rebuilt from coaches nos. 10 and 29
Pullman-Standard 80-seat coach trailer 1927 201–206 Lengthened in 1946–48
Pullman-Standard 50-seat coach smoker trailer 1927 207–210
Pullman-Standard 50-seat coach smoker trailer 1929 211–212
Standard Steel 56-seat coach trailer 1938–39 353–354 Rebuilt from parlors built in 1929

Fare policies

The South Shore Line uses a zone-based fare system, with prices based on the distance traveled and stations' proximity to Millennium Station. There are a total of eleven zones (1–11). Tickets may be purchased at stations, aboard the train, or online. Ticket options include one-way, 10-ride, 25-ride, and monthly passes. NICTD assesses a $1.00 surcharge for passengers who buy ticket on the train after boarding at stations where the agent is on duty. Children 13 years of age or younger, seniors 65 or older, passengers with disabilities, and active-duty military personnel are eligible for reduced fares. NICTD accepts cash aboard trains, cash and checks at ticket offices, and credit cards online. Some stations have ticket vending machines which accept credit cards.[15] For Hegewisch station (zone 3), fares are set by Metra.[16]

Proposed expansions

Michigan City realignment

South Shore train at the 11th Street stop in Michigan City, Indiana

Since 2005, there has been an ongoing debate pertaining to plans to relocate trackage off the streets of Michigan City.[17] In July 2009, NICTD announced its intention to relocate the Michigan City track south of its current location in order to smooth out the curves, cut down the number of grade crossings, increase speed and reduce maintenance costs.[18] The plan also calls for the replacement of both current stations with a single new station. It would be located a block west of the current 11th Street boarding location, between Franklin and Washington streets, with a modern, high-level platform and a large parking lot. The plan would require a demolition of residential and retail buildings currently located on the south side of 11th Street.[19]

The relocation effort faced a setback on March 2010 when NICTD announced that it did not have the funds necessary to complete the preliminary engineering study. Unless the funding was found, the relocation would have been postponed indefinitely since, without the engineering study, NICTD would not be able to get state and federal funds necessary to complete the relocation.[20] NICTD and the city continued to work on obtaining the funds needed.[21] In 2011 NICTD accepted bids for a $1 million study and expects to award the contract at the end of March. The study is expected to take 18 months.[22]

West Lake Corridor

At a legislative hearing in October 2008, NICTD officials said they would drop further study of a Munster-to-Valparaiso route, known as the West Lake Corridor, and begin study of a Gary–Valparaiso route. At the hearing, NICTD officials said the projected cost of $673 million for the Munster-to-Valparaiso route as well as low projected ridership would have made it ineligible for federal funding. The Gary-to-Valparaiso route would utilize the partially abandoned former Pennsylvania Railroad rights-of-way. NICTD officials contend the shorter length of a Gary-to-Valparaiso run, as well as the chance to use existing tracks there, may make it a lower-cost alternative to the Munster-to-Valparaiso route. NICTD planned to apply for federal funding for a preliminary engineering study and environmental survey of the Hammond-to-Lowell leg in 2009. Building that leg had a 2008 projected price tag of $551 million.[23]

Station listing

The South Shore Line and how it corresponds to the Metra system

The line operates over the tracks of the Metra Electric Line from Millennium Station to Kensington - 115th Street. Metra owns the track in this territory. As part of a non-compete clause with Metra, outbound South Shore Line trains to Indiana are boarding only at Metra Electric stations; inbound trains to Millennium Station are discharge-only.

South Shore Line trains make the following station stops: (not all trains stop at all stations)[24]

Tail end of a South Shore train
South Shore Line stations
Station Location Notes
Millennium Station Chicago, Illinois Connections
Metra: Metra Electric
CTA Bus: 4, 6, 19, 20, 26, 60, N66, 124, 129, 143, 145, 147, 148, 151, 157
CTA "L": Red, Brown, Green, Orange, Purple, Pink Lines
Pace: 855
ChicaGo Dash
Van Buren Street Chicago, Illinois Connections
Metra: Metra Electric
CTA Bus: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 14, 26, X28, 126, 129, 130, 132, 145, 147, 148, 151
Museum Campus/11th Street Chicago, Illinois Connections
Metra: Metra Electric
CTA Bus: 1, 3, 4, 12, 129, 130, 146
McCormick Place Chicago, Illinois Flag Stop. Service provided on weekends only
Connections
Metra: Metra Electric
CTA Bus: 3, 21
53rd Street Chicago, Illinois South Shore service withdrawn October 16, 1966, replaced by 57th Street
57th Street (Hyde Park) Chicago, Illinois Connections
Metra: Metra Electric
CTA Bus: 15, 28, 55, 170, 171
63rd Street Chicago, Illinois Flag Stop. Limited service provided
Connections
Metra: Metra Electric
CTA Bus: 63
Kensington - 115th Street Chicago, Illinois South Shore service withdrawn February 15, 2012
Hegewisch Chicago, Illinois Connections
CTA Bus: 30
Pace: 355, 358, 364
Hammond Hammond, Indiana
East Chicago East Chicago, Indiana Connections
East Chicago Transit: 1, 2, 4
Gary Airport/Clark Road Gary, Indiana Flag stop
Connections
GPTC: 12
Ambridge Gary, Indiana Closed July 5, 1994
Gary Metro Center Gary, Indiana Connections
GPTC: 1, 6, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23
Miller Gary, Indiana Connections
GPTC: 13
Portage/Ogden Dunes Ogden Dunes/Portage, Indiana
Dune Acres Porter County, Indiana Closed 1994
Dune Park Porter, Indiana Connections
V-Line: Orange Line route (Friday-Sunday only)
Kemil Road Porter County, Indiana Closed July 5, 1994
Beverly Shores Beverly Shores, Indiana Flag Stop
Willard Avenue Michigan City, Indiana Closed July 5, 1994
11th Street Michigan City, Indiana Connections
Michigan City Transit: 1, 2, 4
Carroll Avenue Michigan City, Indiana Connections
Michigan City Transit: 3
LaLumiere LaPorte County, Indiana Closed July 5, 1994
Rolling Prairie Rolling Prairie, Indiana Closed July 5, 1994
Hudson Lake Hudson Lake, Indiana Flag stop
New Carlisle New Carlisle, Indiana Closed July 5, 1994
South Bend Airport South Bend, Indiana Connections
Greyhound Bus
Coach USA
TRANSPO: 4
Allegiant Air
Delta Connection
United Express
South Bend South Bend, Indiana South Shore service withdrawn November 21, 1992. Current Amtrak station.
South Bend South Bend, Indiana Closed 1970. Located in downtown South Bend.

Notes

  1. ^ http://www.in.gov/indot/files/Transit_2013PublicTransitReport.pdf
  2. ^ a b c http://southshore.railfan.net/ss-hist.html
  3. ^ Ogorek 2012, p. 9
  4. ^ Middleton 1998, pp. 6–7
  5. ^ Middleton 1998, p. 8
  6. ^ Economic Adjustment Study: Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad Corridor, Final Report; Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission and Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District,; March 1980; pg 1
  7. ^ "South Shore Line Switch Approved". Chicago Tribune. December 23, 1966. p. 2 Section 10.
  8. ^ Wieland, Phil (November 21, 1992). "New train terminal could have folks heading east, young". The Times of Northwest Indiana. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  9. ^ Dodson, Paul (June 17, 1994). "South Shore Railroad Will Close 7 Flagstops". South Bend Tribune. p. B2.
  10. ^ "NICTD Board Meeting Minutes July 31, 2009" (PDF). Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District. July 31, 2009. Retrieved September 11, 2010.
  11. ^ "August 7–9, 2010 Temporary Weekend Outage Cancelled" (PDF). Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District. July 22, 2010. Retrieved August 7, 2010.
  12. ^ Allen, Kevin (February 3, 2015). "Chicago express a major step for South Shore". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  13. ^ "2013 Indiana Public Transit Annual Report" (PDF). Indiana Department of Transportation. August 2014. p. 111. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  14. ^ Randall, W. David (1974). Railway Passenger Car Annual, Volume I, 1973-1974. Park Forest, IL: RPC Publications. pp. 74–75.
  15. ^ "Fare Policies". Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  16. ^ "NEW METRA FARES TAKE EFFECT AT HEGEWISCH" (PDF). Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District. February 1, 2015. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
  17. ^ Maddux, Stan (February 14, 2008). "Michigan City weighs South Shore track route". Post-Tribune. Archived from the original on January 2, 2009. Retrieved February 18, 2008. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ South Shore re-route map
  19. ^ Wink, Laurie (June 9, 2009). "More South Shore details released". The News Dispatch. Retrieved August 22, 2009. [dead link]
  20. ^ Ebaugh, Alicia (March 25, 2010). "Funding dire for South Shore study". The News Dispatch. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
  21. ^ Field, Matt (August 17, 2010). "City prepares to study South Shore routes". The News Dispatch. Retrieved August 19, 2010.
  22. ^ Field, Matt (January 28, 2011). "Bids sought for NICTD study". The News Dispatch. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  23. ^ Benman, Keith (December 17, 2008). "Study: Valpo-to-Munster SS line would add few riders". The Times of Northwest Indiana. Retrieved September 1, 2009.
  24. ^ Economic Adjustment Study: Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad Corridor, Final Report; Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission and Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District,; March 1980; Appendix A

References

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