THE CHICAGO, SOUTH SHORE AND
SOUTH BEND RAILWAY

This rather short, but very diverse railroad operates from South Bend, Indiana to the state line just south
of Chicago, Illinois.  It operates an electrified passenger service in addition to its important freight service.

I visited the line several times in 1976, 1979 and again in 1992.  During my cross country Amtrak trip in
1979, I had the wonderful opportunity to ride in the cab of a midday local from Chicago to Michigan City.

I will begin in downtown Chicago at the Illinois Central's Randolph Street Station.  The South Shore used
the IC tracks from Randolph Street Station to the junction at Kensington, Il.  

  A two car local for Michigan City leaves the Illinois Central's Randolph Street Station.  The Prudential Insurance
                            Company building was built over the tracks after having bought the air-rights.  

  Heading out of the station after depositing Indiana commuters.

  Meeting a IC Highliner at 12th Street, the last stop before Randolph Street Station.

  A five car train about to stop at the 12th Street station.

  Unpowered trailer car 205 brings up the rear.  I boarded the local to Michigan City here and asked if I could
                            ride up front.  The crew  was very polite and accommodating.  Thanks guys.

  At one of the IC south side stations.

  We meet a local at the junction of the IC's South Chicago Branch.

  We are now about to cross over the IC mainline at Kensington.  

  A friendly wave from our engineer to a westbound local along the Indiana Toll Road.

  Arriving at Gary, Indiana and looking into the morning sun.

  Little Joe electric 801 waits out the weekend at Gary, Indiana.  For those not knowing what I am refering to, the term
                            'Little Joe' comes from the fact that these units were originally destined for the Soviet Union until the Cold War of
                            the late 1940's.  They were never shipped and most went to the Milwaukee Road for their Pacific Coast Division.   
                            The South Shore picked up three of the powerful GE built units.  They were numbered 801-803.  Photo March 1976.

  The station at Beverly Shores is of a Spanish style architecture complete with a neon sign.

  We are now on the famous street trackage on 12th St. in Michigan City, Indiana.

  My first visit in March of 1976, netted this Saturday morning train headed west to Chicago on 12th St.

  The South Shore station appears boarded up on this dreary cold day in 1992.

  Three GP38's with one gondola pass by the old station in downtown Michigan City.  1992.

  With most of the cars in Chicago during the weekday, these two were parked by the shops.  May 1, 1979.

  GP9 1506, formerly of the Chesapeake and Ohio, which partly owned the Shore Shore, wears a quick decal patch job.

  Two of the Little Joe's are present during my short layover.

  Veteran car 503 has seen better days, but was still around in 1992.

  An overview of the shops area in 1992 with the three GP38's.

  New car number 13 leads a westbound over a N&W branch at Michigan City. 1992

  Passing by the shop buildings.  A small note on the dreary weather.  At the time of my visit the Chicago area
                            experienced a 28 day period without seeing the sun.  Just for the record, it was not my fault!

  New cars at the South Bend, Indiana station.  Note the Amtrak depot to the right.

  Off the train heads west to Chicago.  1992.

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