South Shore Line | Farewell Michigan City Street Running

One of America's last interurban railroads is the Chicago South Shore Line. Running between Chicago, Illinois and the city of South Bend, Indiana the South Shore Line offers a unique look back to what railroading used to be. One of those unique sections of line notably, is the street running in Michigan City, Indiana. This section of roughly 2 miles of street running occurs on 10th and 11th Streets. While some sections along 11th street are commercial, most sections of the street running are residential, creating some very interesting scenes.
As change is bound to happen, the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District is now undertaking an ambitious plan to remove the South Shore tracks from the street, onto a separate dedicated right of way. Houses and buildings have already been demolished to make-way for the new rail route, and this process will only increase as the weeks and months proceed.
This past Sunday Feb 27th marked the last official day of revenue street running for the South Shore, ending more than 100 years of this unique operation in Michigan City. While the line is being constructed, busses will shuttle passengers around the construction, however freight traffic will occur at night.
In this footage from December 2021, we take a look back of this unique line in Michigan City.
Thanks for watching! | Video and Content by MichaelLovesTrains 2022
#SouthShoreLine #MichiganCity

[@ParrotGaming123]

While the actual service might not be gone, the end of an era is here. We’ll miss the street-running trains of Michigan City!

[@nolantherailfan5048]

I remember when I was very little and my parents driving on that road and having to pull over for these trains and I really thought it was so cool and that's what got me really into trains

[@jeremypreece870]

Hello from the UK. So sorry to see this street running ending. This is the most spectacular that I have seen on TH-cam for several reasons, 1. Passenger services as well as freight, 2. the sheer length of the street run, 3. that it goes through houses and commercial, 4. from this film it looks like very steep gradients and very sharp bends. I am glad that you have captured this for history!

[@nolantherailfan5048]

On the more positive note at least the south shore line isn't dying

[@curtisdaniel9294]

Nostalgia for me having ridden that route. Alas and Alack!

[@codeeightythree]

Awesome video! Nice camera work!

[@FlyersAviation]

Superb Footage Michael! Gutted that they are moving the rails off the street over there.

[@michaellittlejohns7968]

Where’s that passenger train going to be running to in a view weeks time

[@Robbi496]

If you are talking about the Amtrak train, no change, it is the South Shore Line that ran in the street

[@michaellittlejohns7968]

@@Robbi496 that’s what I ment

[@OntarioTrafficMan]

@@michaellittlejohns7968 The South Shore line will still be there, it's the roadway which is being shifted off of the tracks so the trains can run faster and safer.

[@deauvilledad07]

Great footage Micheal. Strange to see trains running down the middle of the road. Well done 🤓 stay safe 💙

[@willberestartingthischanne9984]

I Love Your Channel

[@ROCKDOG5732]

Is there any updates on the construction so far? Where's the line being relocated to?

[@chicago-l9125]

Having ridden this line through Michigan City a few times, I thought it was a novel arrangement for the residents to have a 100% commuter rail line right outside their front doors. And this would seem to be especially convenient for people who had to do a daily commute between MC and downtown Chicago. This video was taken in early March of 2022. So has the commuter serviced commenced operation on it's new right of way yet? Just wondering.

[@CuteSealYHM]

Lol 5:20 signal protecting the diamond

[@justalurker66]

The signal protects the traffic from crossing the rail in front of a train.

[@CuteSealYHM]

@@justalurker66 ik but it’s funny how it looks like it’s supposed to protect the diamond from collisions

[@kevinhoward9593]

i take it it's easier to just pave over the tracks instead of ripping them up?

[@terryb0241]

If they dont run on the street which was soo cool where will they run then?

[@njtrailfan4508]

Nice new sub

[@paul_ko]

Why does that thing have NINE pantographs? One should be enough for the whole train...

[@user-TheBestRailfan]

First

[@dominichetherington2287]

Fricken roads win again😡

[@justalurker66]

11th St lost this time. The single lane that will remain would have been built as an access road for maintaining the railroad. The railroad wins because they get double tracks!

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

@@justalurker66 the last operating section of streetrunning interurban line is gone, there is now no more places where interurbans run like this. It's a lose for historians.