5 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

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.

 

More here.

 

Related:  NICTD: Double-Tracking Gary to Michigan CIty

[KevinKorell]

NICTD South Shore Line advisory:

 

 

 

   SERVICE ADVISORY - MICHIGAN CITY 11TH STREET STATION CLOSURE  

 

 

The 11th Street Station closure will be in effect to help facilitate pre-construction third-party utility work and the Double Track NWI construction project (https://www.doubletrack-nwi.com/), which will substantially decrease travel times to and from Chicago.  

 

As part of Double Track, the 11th Street Station will be reconstructed to include a multi-story station/parking/retail building, new high-level platforms, and track improvements. The closure is expected to last approximately two-and-a-half years, until the end of Double Track construction.  

 

As an alternative to 11th Street, the Michigan City Carroll Avenue Station will remain open and in service throughout the Double Track project. Further, Michigan City Transit bus services will continue to serve the Carroll Avenue Station as regularly scheduled. Please visit https://www.emichiga....com/906/Routes for local bus routes and stop times. 

[KevinKorell]

The street running and on-street station stop were always a railfan highlight of the South Shore Line, but progress prevails (as does the ADA).  Preferred alignment seems to be 1/2 block south of the current one, which would put the line in the backyards of the buildings that now face it, and require some demolition as well.   More about the 11th Street station and the realignment on Wikipedia here.

[KevinKorell]

Streetsblog Chicago, 5/14/21:

 

 

    Goodbye street-running South Shore service in Michigan City, hello double-tracking 

 

 

Friday, April 30, marked the end of an era for the city of Michigan City, Indiana. For over 100 years, South Shore Line passenger trains traveled, streetcar-like, in the middle of the street through the city center, dropping off passengers in the middle of the road at the 11th Street station.

 

Article

[CNJRoss]

Trains News Wire

 

South Shore sets schedule for resumption of Michigan City-Dune Park trains

 

October 15, 2023

 

Trains to begin operation on first completed portion of Double Track project Oct. 25

 

CHESTERTON, Ind. — The South Shore Line has released new schedules effective Oct. 25 for the resumption of train service between the Carroll Avenue station in Michigan City, Ind., and Dune Park in Chesterton, Ind., as well as continued bus substitution between Dune Park and the Gary (Ind.) Metro Center station.

 

New schedules are available here.

 

Trains will now serve Carroll Avenue, 11th Street — reopening for the first time since 2021 — Beverly Shores, and Dune Park, while buses will serve Dune Park, Portage/Ogden Dunes, Miller, and Gary Metro Center. Train service then resumes to downtown Chicago. The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District cautions that delays are possible in the bus segments. Full rail service is slated to resume in spring 2024.

 

 

Continue here.  

[CNJRoss]

Trains News Wire

 

South Shore Line to resume train service through Double Track construction area

 

By Trains Staff | March 27, 2024

 

Long-term bus substitution between Gary Metro, Dune Park to end April 9

 

An eastbound South Shore test train passes through the new Miller station in Gary, Ind., on March 9, 2024. South Shore will resume train service between Gary Metro and Dune Park on April 9. Bruce Stahl

 

CHESTERTON, Ind. — South Shore Line rail service will resume between the Gary Metro Center and Dune Park stations on April 9, ending a bus substitution to accommodate construction for the Double Track Project that dates to February 2022, the Northern Indiana Commuter Transit District has announced.

 

Initially, train service will operate using a schedule implemented in October 2023 (and available here). All station pick-up areas relocated during the project will be returned to their permanent locations, including at the newly built Portage/Ogden Dunes and Miller stations. New schedules, including the addition of new strains, are forthcoming, the agency says.

 

 

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