NWI.LIFE, Valparaiso, IN 5/1/21
Last Stop for 11th Street Station as South Shore Line prepares for new era in local rail transportation
In the calm, early morning hours, while most of the area was asleep, a dedicated group of hardcore train enthusiasts gathered to witness history in the making. As the 2:18 a.m. train rolled to a stop at the Michigan City station, and its sole passenger stepped from the train down to street level, a new era in the Region quietly began.
“This means a lot to me,” said passenger Bruce Stahl as he stepped down from railcar #10 of the eastbound train. “As a railway fan, it’s a pretty cool thing.”
SNIP
Tonight’s closing of street boarding marks the end of interurban railways in the area.
The station will be closed for an extended time to allow for pre-construction to begin on the new 11th Street Station, which will feature some styling cues from the original historic building while helping to usher in a new, modern era for rail transportation in the area. The change is part of the South Shore Line’s preparations for the upcoming double track program which will greatly improve travel times across the Region and improve service frequency.
Related: NICTD: Double-Tracking Gary to Michigan CIty