South Shore Line - The Last Interurban - The Last Day of Street Running - Michigan City, IN

For over 100 years the South Shore Line has run down the streets of Michigan City, Indiana. With the NICTD (Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District) project to double-track the main line between Gary and Michigan City, February 27, 2022 was the last day of street running. Here we catch two trains crossing the Amtrak line near the west end of the street running, and one near where the church was razed near the east end of street running. The next day the streets were closed and the construction began. When the project is complete, the two main lines will be flanked by one-way streets allowing for higher speeds while increasing safety.
More info here: www.doubletrac...

[@shopshop144]

I'm surprised there's a need for a train that long, impressive.

[@Sven_Okas1967]

This is a great video, but will the new route be after the end of the streetrunning? Greetings from Berlin/ Germany. Sven

[@rails-n-things]

The route really isn't moving other than a slight reconfiguration in a couple spots or realignment to straighten out curves from my understanding. Basically they're dismantling the street around the existing tracks, the route will be double tracked and then there will be a one-way street on either side of the tracks.

[@harri2626]

@@rails-n-things Yes, it will be like a segregated light rail "median strip" track between two narrow highways but with near-heavy rail equipment. I'm travelling there as part of a longer trip in October to see how many houses they have had to demolish to make space for the double tracks and roads. Once finished, the attraction of riding the line will diminish for rail fans, but the locals will see an improvement in speed and safety. In reality, the line has been under threat of closure many times since the 1960s and it is amazing that it has survived so long. I'm glad I made the effort to ride the line in 2016 and 2019, but my next one in October will be my last. Very sad.