One of my favorite spots. I've never had an issue being in the triangular parking lot at A-M, but the pedestrian walkway east of here has the best overall views. I am surprised you've drive all the way to Hick. I've walked down to it a couple of times, but worry I will be viewed suspiciously.
NS has applied for and hired an engineering firm to begin the replacement of their drawbridge. This location is also part of the "south of the lake reroute" between INDOT and MDOT. NS will like build a new drawbridge where CSX non-working one is just north and then put a second one where the active span is for four active tracks.
If you take Cline Ave, get off at the Michigan Avenue (Arcelor Mittal Plant 1) Exit. Look for a parking lot right in the middle of the IHB/NS interchange. Drive through the parking lot going East towards the access road parelleling the NS line and the signal bridges. Keep going down the road until you see the tower and bridges. It's a little hard to explain how to get here. I'd say check it out on Google maps.
Interestingly, ArcelorMittal has completed a new bright blue lift span just to the north of the ex-EJ&E span. AM filed a letter of concern to the STB that the CN takeover of the EJ&E put their access at risk to the bridge and line connecting the twin plants on either side of the Indiana Harbor Canal. You can see it on Google Earth. How difficult was it to get to this location and did you get permission?
From EB Cline, take the Michigan Ave. exit. Make a left then your next left which leads below the Cline Ave. overpass. Keep to the right and go past the bldg. on your left. Continue forward until you see a driveway on your left, leading across the tracks to the parking lot. Continue forward across the tracksthrough the parking lot in a northwesterly direction to the dirt access road which leads to the bridges. Beware. Trespassing is involved though, on both Arcelor Mittal and NS property. :-(
@BoxcarFrank - I've went to this area a few times this summer to railfan. I only got as close as the utilities bridge, since i figured railroad employees in the tower might chase me off. But clearly you managed to get right up there, did you need special permission or just mind your P's and Q's? I actually thought I would get in less trouble shooting from the Mittal parking lot, apparently I've had this backwards all along! :-P
Left to right: x-B&O, x-NYC, x-PRR, and EJ&E. Not pictured is the bridge to left of the B&O one which was a lead to a yard the B&O had on the other side of the canal.
Wow! Imagine what it must have been like back in the day when they had to raise and lower all 5 bridges at one time!
Awesome as always Frank!
One of my favorite spots. I've never had an issue being in the triangular parking lot at A-M, but the pedestrian walkway east of here has the best overall views. I am surprised you've drive all the way to Hick. I've walked down to it a couple of times, but worry I will be viewed suspiciously.
Awesome video! You had some great lighting, especially for train 1.
Great video, Frank.
Great video Frank.
Cool vids of the bridges.
Ex-PRR crossing was south of here. Piers are still there, but the bridge has been gone since 1991.
NS has applied for and hired an engineering firm to begin the replacement of their drawbridge. This location is also part of the "south of the lake reroute" between INDOT and MDOT. NS will like build a new drawbridge where CSX non-working one is just north and then put a second one where the active span is for four active tracks.
If you take Cline Ave, get off at the Michigan Avenue (Arcelor Mittal Plant 1) Exit. Look for a parking lot right in the middle of the IHB/NS interchange. Drive through the parking lot going East towards the access road parelleling the NS line and the signal bridges. Keep going down the road until you see the tower and bridges.
It's a little hard to explain how to get here. I'd say check it out on Google maps.
Interestingly, ArcelorMittal has completed a new bright blue lift span just to the north of the ex-EJ&E span. AM filed a letter of concern to the STB that the CN takeover of the EJ&E put their access at risk to the bridge and line connecting the twin plants on either side of the Indiana Harbor Canal. You can see it on Google Earth. How difficult was it to get to this location and did you get permission?
From EB Cline, take the Michigan Ave. exit. Make a left then your next left which leads below the Cline Ave. overpass. Keep to the right and go past the bldg. on your left. Continue forward until you see a driveway on your left, leading across the tracks to the parking lot. Continue forward across the tracksthrough the parking lot in a northwesterly direction to the dirt access road which leads to the bridges. Beware. Trespassing is involved though, on both Arcelor Mittal and NS property. :-(
@BoxcarFrank - I've went to this area a few times this summer to railfan. I only got as close as the utilities bridge, since i figured railroad employees in the tower might chase me off. But clearly you managed to get right up there, did you need special permission or just mind your P's and Q's?
I actually thought I would get in less trouble shooting from the Mittal parking lot, apparently I've had this backwards all along! :-P
Are bridges that are up during all of the video, are those tracks abandoned?
Is the bridge that comes into view at 1:27 a pedestrian bridge?
Left to right: x-B&O, x-NYC, x-PRR, and EJ&E. Not pictured is the bridge to left of the B&O one which was a lead to a yard the B&O had on the other side of the canal.
Ex-PRR is south of this view by 200 yars at least.
No, its owned by the mill. It bridges pipes and electrical cables between the two plants. I guess the walkway is for maintenence.
SW1500.
Not exactly trespassing. No signs warn not to be there. Mittal has no jurisdiction of this area.
Except you cross two A-M parking lots to get to this location.