NS' Chicago Line: A Railroad Superhighway [2015 edition]

New in 2018: an expanded version of this work, with expanded coverage from the Calumet River/Chicago Border to Butler, IN - giving us full coverage of the Indiana Segment of the Chicago Line!
Norfolk Southern's Chicago Line is one of America's foremost rail freight corridors, handling an endless parade of trains. In this presentation, we'll be covering the Williamsburg (403) to Porter (482) segment of the line, running through northwestern Indiana.
We'll see just about everything this line has to offer, shot on two days in April and July, 2015. Included in this presentation:
- Williamsburg (403)
- Goshen (412)
- The Goshen to Elkhart triple-track project: midway under construction and the final product!
- Elkhart Terminal (421 and 426)
- South Bend (435)
- New Carlisle (448)
- Laporte/Pinola (462-466)
- Otis Hill
- Chesterton/Porter (482)
And much more!
Detailed narration provides plenty of exposition and documentary, however if you have any questions, let them fly in comments!
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Related Links:
Ep. 448: New Carlisle Evening [additional footage from 2015, no narration, 9:54]
--- • TRRS 448: Chicago Line...
Ep. 319: 12 hours, 50 trains at Porter Jct [3-21-14, no narration, 39:58]
--- • TRRS 319: 12 Hours of ...
Ep. 320: Same 12 hours and trains as Ep. 319, but in just 12 minutes!*
--- • TRRS 320: 50 Trains in...
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Recorded with a Sony PJ790 Camcorder
Copyright 2015 Thornapple River Rail Series

[@YardLimit]

Very nicely done!

[@shayfarley7253]

excellent job. you should be proud of yourself! a very professional and superbly executed documentary style video. was thoroughly entertained right the way through. this is exactly why i subscribed. cheers fella.

[@HOTRAILProductions]

What location is that at :40?

[@ThornappleRiverRailSeries]

Pinola, CP 466

[@ThornappleRiverRailSeries]

Coming up soon will be an expanded version of this work, with expanded coverage from the Calumet River/Chicago Border to Butler, IN - giving us full coverage of the Indiana Segment of the Chicago Line - Stay tuned!

[@iusetano]

Well done. Thanks for all the work that you put into this. Excellent video.

[@spartonboat1]

Thornapple River Rail is turning into the best series of railroad videos on KZbin, if it has not already become the best.

[@markschenher4559]

Bravo Excellent video and narration One point, the NYC signal at CP435 you mentioned it being ugly I find it pleasing due to its unique design and economy of material Well engineered, it has lasted for decades supporting signals That said, best video I've seen on the Chicago line

[@Robster4404]

What year did you start narrating your videos. I find them very informative and prefer them over non-narrated ones.

[@ProRailProductions]

Nice to see some good footage of the Chicago Line keep up the good work!

[@ThornappleRiverRailSeries]

+Pro Rail Productions Inc. Thanks!

[@stevenikitas8170]

Very professional, with the commentary and diagrams. Too many of these internet videos leave you wondering where the pictures are taken and where the trains are going.

[@denisetindall1487]

I like train videos on KZbin 👍

[@MrKingJulian11]

Also how did you find out about the new track layout at CP 421

[@ThornappleRiverRailSeries]

+TheTrainMan A very reliable source on a certain forum.

[@evanwaters1074]

+Thornapple River Rail Series Which is?

[@Trainmaster1907]

I've been on Amtrak wolverine 354 before when it got delayed just outside of Chicago and then we paralleled the Pete Marquette all that way to porter side by side. That was cool

[@spaceghost8995]

I live in Laporte, IN. This line is still very, very busy. I always wished the Amtrak stopped in Laporte but South Bend is where you would have to get it. The classic old NYC station has actually been restored but isn't used for much. The line only serves ine industry in Laporte. American Renolit (plastic pellets).

[@spaceghost8995]

The CP trains used to run on the CSX from Detroit up to Grand Rapids and then down to Porter on the old Pere Marquette route. Now they run on former Wabash rail down to Butler, IN and then on NS (NYC, PC) up to Porter. I suppose CN had no interest in letting CP use their mainline (former Grand Trunk) through MI and IN to Chicago.

[@jimlasterni7310]

I'm a big fan of the New York Central I watched it go through Hillsboro Illinois at my grandfather's house where does it break off from the Chicago line to head to St Louis my cousins took the New York Central from Cleveland to St Louis and I was wondering where it came off at the Chicago line at

[@NSSignalGuy]

What is the safest town to railfan the NS Chicago line in. It has perfect ATCS monitoring and a ton of trains but I always get stuck at what towns are safe to railfan along the line. And I mean in Illinois. I would rather not go into Indiana on a one day railfanning trip.

[@GBULL_ADV_1982]

Your videos are amazing not only am I entertained throughout the duration, I have learned so much about different rail places all over. Thanks for the videos and I hope you continue to make more!

[@pv.trevor]

Awesome!!! I didn't Know South Bend Was In The Superhighway!!!!! I Cant Believe I've been There!!

[@nancyoffenhiser4916]

I really enjoyed this video!

[@michaelanderson7427]

Nancy Offenhiser lio

[@gunnyusmc8412]

Your videos are top of the line! My compliments sir😎

[@Robbi496]

You should go to work for Pentrex or Green Frog? You are a natural :)

[@edwardhugus2772]

Thanks so much. I like how you explain the Details in your narrative.

[@michaelwagner9020]

What a joy to watch your videos. Having been raised in Kalamazoo, now living in Florida, it’s a delight watching familiar train watching sites with your excellent narration.

[@ThornappleRiverRailSeries]

Thanks!

[@leemcintyre9490]

Ok! I'll admit it! I didn't sit through the ENTIRE video! I couldn't really! But all this talk of new Signal Bridges, and new Signals in General, does that mean That AMTRAK will Stop at The Legendary Elkhart RR Depot🚂 again!!?? I heard from a "semi reliable" source, that was the Reason AMTRAK wouldn't stop In ELKHART any longer!! They wanted NFS , or CONRAIL, Or Whoever it was to Replace the old Signals!! Not Sure how True that is, but I'd like to See AMTRAK stopping at the old Depot again!!

[@ThornappleRiverRailSeries]

Amtrak still stops at Elkhart. In fact I have an updated video that details the changes. They re-aligned the mains so the track no longer passes right by the station, but perhaps 40-50 feet away - they built a new platform for it.

[@yardlimit8695]

very nice video,,,,,,,,,,,,,i think one of your best.........thanks.

[@Nader620]

I enjoy your videos and I especially enjoy your upbeat and enlightning commentary. Listening to you, I get the impression that things really are improving in the railroad industry, and that's a good thing. Keep up the good work.

[@ThornappleRiverRailSeries]

+Nader620 Thanks! It is a fascinating industry to watch. It is still full of problems, but at least some aren't shy about throwing some cash at the issue!

[@paullindberg9230]

Jan. 2022. I thoroughly. enjoy all of all your. presently. Your. your prresent. and past are treasures Thanks for all you. do

[@paullindberg9230]

2 More things. One is my spelling. and. your videos speak of. manifest or taking God's to market. fuel. to to goods. from Wes to east.

[@robertj.karczewski6775]

Excellent video! You do a great job on all of your videos!

[@newcastlerails1416]

Very Very Very nice!!!!!!

[@vermilionrailfan5651]

Hey man, I've seen your other vids, and they were some of the best I've seen, and this is no acception. I railfan the Chicago Line in the small town of Vermilion Oh, where it connects and crosses the Former NKP. Victory park, around MP 220.9 and 221.0 is where it is.

[@JoeRailfan]

Really nice coverage of one of the best lines for trainwatching in the eastern US. Norfolk Southern has replaced the NYC gantry at CP 435 (for a more detailed look at the old one, search KZbin for "Classic NYC Cantilever Railroad Signal Bridge"). Last time I was at that point the old GRS type G triple head signals facing east were still there, governing movements of westbound NS diesel lashups like they used to govern NYC Hudsons and Mohawks.

[@carmichaeltrainproductionc9663]

That's Nice that you were able to Capture the all the Changes on this part!!

[@tigerphid9677]

Great video. I didn't know much about this line. I will have to check it out.

[@derekinhawaii]

All your videos are professionally researched, shot and presented. Well done.

[@EdEddnEddyonline1]

Some people are impatient at the RXRs & I support Operation Lifesaver

[@gregorysell4529]

Goshen added huge overpasses not long ago.

[@ThornappleRiverRailSeries]

Hi Gregory - check out my latest 3-part expansion of this video, featuring much of the new work in Goshen in detail.

[@maineman11]

The empty wind turbine train was a great catch.

[@robertfogarty3253]

glad I thought to look for some RR action...I worked all the towers Union station to Elkhart .Most if not all of the towers are gone

[@ThornappleRiverRailSeries]

Make sure you check out my updated multi-part edition, if you're interested. Must have been an interesting career!

[@charliebrooks2570]

Nice job, very professional!

[@samfishcreek]

Great work - love the Chicago Line!

[@MikeInPlano]

Really enjoy your videos. Well shot and good narration - to the point and not excessive.

[@ThornappleRiverRailSeries]

Thanks!

[@samhouston1673]

Do you get revenue for advertising the billboards?

[@ThornappleRiverRailSeries]

Nope...I should write them a letter!

[@lightpawshird]

Your footage is very well shot and clean, what type of camera/camcorder you use?

[@ThornappleRiverRailSeries]

I shot this with a Sony PJ790V. Edited with Windows Movie Maker, believe it or not!

[@lightpawshird]

Thanks for the info :)

[@MrKingJulian11]

My hometown is Elkhart IN and I would like to know what the new track layout would look like.

[@ThornappleRiverRailSeries]

+TheTrainMan It has not been published yet. I'm sure soon enough stuff will start showing up at 421, probably next Spring I imagine. FYI - RBBB Circus train is due through Elkhart tomorrow morning/afternoon heading for the GDLK

[@MrKingJulian11]

cool thanks

[@Robbi496]

NOT a slowpoke route!!

[@BenjaminEsposti]

Great video, you have done so much research on this route!

[@ThornappleRiverRailSeries]

Thanks!

[@timtraver7152]

Very enjoyable video!!

[@AgrarfilmeNorddeutschland]

Great video

[@TheIronweed-vx5lg]

Keep up the great work!!

[@oregonrailfanner9835]

7:07 Dude a 90Mac! Wow!

[@davidnorrie1173]

Quality with a capital Q !

[@billsellman6675]

Top notch narrating.

[@MrMocha413]

What an awesome video, I assume the Westbound manifests are headed towards the BRC's Clearing Yard?

[@ThornappleRiverRailSeries]

+MrMocha413 Nope. Some are, but they really do fan out all over the place, with many running right through Chicago to Galesburg on the BNSF.

[@MrMocha413]

+Thornapple River Rail Series The NS may send through manifests to other railroads in Chicago but not to the BNSF. They'll send through intermodal trains via the Chillicothe Sub at Corwith and very rarely via the Chicago Sub at Western Ave. Manifests are interchanged via Streator on the Chillicothe Sub.

[@ThornappleRiverRailSeries]

So the manifests to Streator don't count as run-through? I can assure you it's the manifests go that way, taking the turn at Porter. Intermodal all goes towards downtown Chicago for interchange -- some run through, some not.

[@MrMocha413]

+Thornapple River Rail Series You're right, Porter to Streator for interchange. Don't be surprised to see a through manifest popping up daily on the Chicago Sub heading west. I got word of this last night.

[@Michiganrailfan]

how do narrate your videos

[@ThornappleRiverRailSeries]

+Michigan railfan20002 Scriptwrite, record the audio, and then add it in as another track.

[@TrainSF]

49:49

[@helmitpeak]

Nice

[@JKT_Photo]

Should have gone a little further to Pine Junction! It is truly something else there!

[@ThornappleRiverRailSeries]

+Thompson Railroad Productions Gotta save something for the future! Certainly a farther west and east edition is in order for someday!

[@JKT_Photo]

Nice! One heck of a video man! You did an amazing job!

[@JKT_Photo]

One of my favorite places to go

[@JKT_Photo]

They've become a lot less strict out there!

[@MrMocha413]

+Ace Railroad Productions For your information, Railroad police are provided police authority from state and local governments and are an authorized interstate authority by the federal government. The right of way for U.S. Class 1 railroads is 100 feet from the center of the track. Railroads in the United States are private property, if you are on the right of way and are caught you're subject to arrest for trespassing. Rent-A-Cops usually do not carry firearms, Railroad Police do. How would you like it if someone came into your home unauthorized, started belittling you and caught it all on film?

[@carlflounder5995]

How come there was no meet at 2:25?

[@CPWindsorsub]

There wasn't a second train.

[@carlflounder5995]

He said it was a meet though.

[@ThornappleRiverRailSeries]

No, the next scene after has one. It is very clear. Try watching it again :)

[@carlflounder5995]

Oh sorry, I didnt realise that what u said carried on to the next scene.

[@davidmcdougall5470]

Great looking videos bud keep it up!