Pine Junction: The Midwest's BUSIEST Railroad Hot Spot!

[@jbush9502]

They should totally put a rail fan platform there !!

[@aircraftsandtrains2309]

They really should

[@centerbeamgamingandtrains7451]

I live in the area and the city of Gary does not care enough let alone have the funds to put one in

[@InterstateRailfan8105]

I’ve been to Pine Junction and I saw 11 trains I really wanna go back there for some more NS CP CSX SSF and so much more!

[@markstrahlendorf6325]

Another great film.

[@gp3829]

Hi from the Scottish Borders and thank you for posting, I was only recently hoping that you might have found time to produce a video soon. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching it, especially seeing the IHB and CSS play a part in this important JC for Class 1s. Also, I have often wondered exactly how the Railroads interact with one another (at this location of the semi-flooded Bridge) and the Map you showed was ideal, thank you.

[@trtrproductions]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I actually thought of you as I was shooting the South Shore that day. If there is one place that best encapsulates the Chicago railroading scene, this is certainly it!

[@CRSD60I]

Excellent catches and great documentary. Started going to Clark road in 2002. Need to pay it a visit again sometime soon. Keep up the great work!

[@trtrproductions]

This is such an awesome comment to receive. I've been watching your videos for well over a decade now (back when I was MUCH younger!) and have always loved your content. Thank you so much for watching, and for being one of the key influences to get me out recording trains myself so many years later!

[@davidsharp3110]

Nice shots, nicely edited. I love Pine Junction. Thanks!

[@trtrproductions]

Thank you very much, David. Glad you enjoyed.

[@FallenFlagPhotography]

Another fantastic video! The narration, time, & effort put into these videos is always appreciated!

[@trtrproductions]

Many thanks Ryan! Glad you enjoyed! More to come, very soon!

[@TheIronweed-vx5lg]

Love the Chicagoland railfanning! Well done!

[@trtrproductions]

Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed! Plenty more Chicagoland railroading coming your way soon!

[@RailsofMichigan]

Wonderful video. I visit the Chicago area now and then to see all the rail action and Pine Junction is one of my most favorite places. I loved how you included Train Symbols and gives me a better idea of the railroads you see at this junction. I loved the track map. The only thing I wish I would have loved to have seen a map of pine junction back in the 1950s or '60s to see some of the other rail lines that were at pine junction that are now abandoned.

[@trtrproductions]

Thank you so much! I’m not the best with railroad history but I can’t imagine how much traffic this spot must have seen in its prime - given the enormous amount that continues to this day. Thanks for watching!

[@JoeRailfan]

Excellent video--the best look I've ever had at Pine Junction. Really appreciated the knowledgeable narration as well. I'll be looking for your future productions. I'm still a bit leery about visiting Pine myself, though. A number of railfan websites and commenters have warned people away from Clark Road due to bad encounters with railroad police (as one commenter to this video noted below, especially CN's). For instance, the Chicago Rail Info site flatly states that Pine is "no longer recommended." Has the security situation there for railfans improved recently?

[@trtrproductions]

Thank you very much, Joe. I have not had any bad encounters with railroad police out here, ever. Whether that's just by sheer luck is beyond me, though I will say I visit this spot several times monthly during the warmer months (and have for years). I always park in between the CN CIty Track and the CSX Barr Sub, on the west side of the road where new(ish) stone was laid a few years ago. That parcel extending westward is owned by the City of Gary, so I always figure if I were to be approached by a railroad cop that might have a problem with me out there for whatever reason, at least I'm not parked on their property. Most people don't do this and park on either CSX property across the street, or NS property which extends on both sides of the road north of the CSX main. Some time ago it was also a big problem of people climbing up the embankment of the Kirk Yard leads to get shots of the yard jobs working up there, and that's when I noticed CN police patrolling the area the most, though I haven't seen them over here in many years. I've (personally) only ever seen NS and Amtrak police driving through there, and agents of both have done nothing but smile and wave. That was a mouthful, but hopefully it was helpful! Thanks again for watching.

[@JoeRailfan]

Thanks, and I hope you'll continue to have no trouble when visiting this spot. Caution is always advisable for the railfan, especially in a heavily trafficked location like Pine.

[@Steven_Williams]

Outstanding video! I was at Pine myself twice last month. BTW ,thanks for the explanation of the fighter jets. I also noticed them while I was railfanning East Chicago. The only other time that I see them is during the Chicago Air and Water Show. "Big ups 👍 from Chicago "Train Dawg "!

[@trtrproductions]

Thank you very much as always, Steven! The jets seem to have made a temporary home at the airport for the time being, I've been hearing them from the house (about 5 miles away in Hammond) just about everyday. I've always loved aviation just about as much as trains, so they're always cool to see (and hear)!

[@Steven_Williams]

@trtrproductions Same here! Being a veteran, I get excited and cautious at the same time. Can't wait for your next one in the series.

[@kahunatiki6498]

Fantastic video!!!!

[@trtrproductions]

Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed!

[@ARP_GA]

Nice shots man! I went to Pine for the first time in July, and it was awesome. Definitely need to head back up there soon.

[@trtrproductions]

It is THE place to be for sure, glad you enjoyed your time there! And, glad you enjoyed the video. Thank you!

[@sophiemarie7216]

Great content 🧡

[@trtrproductions]

Big Ranks Big Ralph 😃

[@moosejunky99]

Great job on this video!! crazy how many trains are roaming though this area.

[@trtrproductions]

Thank you very much!! I'm fortunate to live less than 15 minutes from this spot, and many days I'm still in awe at the levels of traffic through here. Thanks for watching!

[@AM-jd9pw]

Great video, I work at US Steel Gary works so I see some of these trains every day

[@trtrproductions]

Thank you very much! Though I imagine these trains can be quite a nuisance for you if you're ever driving in through Clark Road lol!

[@AM-jd9pw]

@ I’m never upset getting stopped by a train

[@markhayes6407]

This is without a doubt a great train watching spot. Others have taken videos here but your content is by far the best I have seen. Can't wait to see what else you will post.

[@trtrproductions]

That is such a great compliment to receive, thank you so much for watching Mark! Plenty more to come!

[@davidcoleman958]

Wow this is awesome! What an excellent documentary on a hotspot I've never been to.

[@trtrproductions]

Thanks David - it’s definitely a spot worth visiting if you have the time! Thanks for watching!

[@NorthernOhioRailroadAction]

Fantastic video really enjoyed the video keep up the fantastic job looking forward to seeing more great content in the future thanks for sharing it and have a wonderful day

[@trtrproductions]

Thank you thank you thank you! So glad you enjoyed! Plenty more to come!

[@robadams5799]

I grew up about two and a half miles from the Bedford Park CSX railyard, and I also took the Lake Shore Limited, seen here at 19:10. 23:15 - What an obnoxious horn. 24:35 - This narrator sure knows a lot about trains and their destinations. All I know is that it's a CSX train and it's going thataway pretty fast.

[@trtrproductions]

Thanks for your comment Rob. I often cite the Styx song Too Much Time on my Hands when people ask how I know so much about trains. It only seems more accurate with time lol! Thanks for watching!

[@northlandg5207]

Excellent Video!

[@trtrproductions]

Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed!

[@braedenhaartman8180]

Great video!

[@trtrproductions]

Thank you very much, Braeden! Glad you enjoyed!

[@20molecula]

Well done 👍

[@trtrproductions]

Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed

[@CombsTowerProductions]

Another great quality video! That IDTX 4706 had a very sad horn

[@trtrproductions]

The quintessential Crisp horn. Thanks for watching Large Pound!

[@CombsTowerProductions]

@@trtrproductions That's Big Ounce to you!

[@4ever_railfan]

Good day of railfanning! 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@trtrproductions]

It sure was, thanks for watching!

[@maccomando111]

Absolutely fabulous video.

[@trtrproductions]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed!

[@brstoffel]

Fantastic video. Thank you for your efforts.

[@trtrproductions]

Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed!

[@natgass8102]

a very interesting video thanks for sharing and recording. Have you ever done a video(s) of CSX’s Bedford Park & their 59th street yard, if not I think it would be of interest to many since they are an important being and ending point for many of their high priority trains ?

[@trtrproductions]

Thank you very much! I've never visited either intermodal ramp on the CSX but that's a great idea for a video! Adding that suggestion to the list!

[@natgass8102]

@ Thanks and I look forward to it. I really enjoy your narration, as too many videos on KZbin just focus on recording a passing train without ever identifying any thing about it and while they maybe entertaining after a while they all look the same.

[@PCBill0622]

Great stuff-thanks for including the train symbols with origin/destination. Interesting that BNSF dispatches that Q train (CSX I172) same as a Z train. Lastly mentioned CP trains were actually CPKC (not easy getting used to)

[@trtrproductions]

Thank you very much Bill. I suppose I'm still not ready to accept the merger lol! Will not happen again in future videos.

[@InterstateRailfan8105]

@@trtrproductionsI would think They get around 110 trains a day

[@Rickybnsf]

Can't wait to see what other hot spots you'll cover!

[@trtrproductions]

Plenty more to come, Ricky. Thanks for watching!

[@sweynforkbeardtraindude]

Good stuff!

[@trtrproductions]

Thank you very much! I appreciate all the comments I get, but the regular viewers like you and others always make my day, and I appreciate that!

[@adamkinsinger7792]

Well done

[@trtrproductions]

Thanks Adam! Glad you enjoyed!

[@railyardfilms6491]

Happy holidays

[@trtrproductions]

Same to you, thank you for watching!

[@Jfrmr1]

This program made possible in part by Swisher Sweets, Olde English 800, depression, the closed Popeyes restaurant on Broadway, purple drank, and viewers like you.

[@nstrainmaster2]

When will we get a Trtr video on purple drank?

[@Jfrmr1]

@@nstrainmaster2 three 6 mafia made a fine lyrical rendition of its finer points but I would love to see a documentary with some interviews with the fine folks of Tennessee St @ 8th Ave or Clark Rd @ 4th Ave to see the local infusion of culture into this popular social delicacy

[@henkmagnetic3103]

Within 20 seconds, the state of the roads in the US of A are appalling. Had to add my appreciation of a great video with great informative narration. Thanks.

[@trtrproductions]

Thank you very much! Clark Road (especially south of the crossing, shown in the opening shot) is especially appalling, even to my American (aka minuscule) standards. I drive a durable-enough pickup and still don't drive the road faster than 15 because of all the potholes.

[@jdm1039]

Very industrial area with a lot of truck traffic.

[@TheMW2informer]

Look at the black oak neighborhood of Gary on street view. The roads there make this one look good. I went just to get abandoned video and had no idea a great train watching spot was so close.

[@colinthepanamerican]

19:50 That is sick I caught 5480 leading I019 back in may ln national train day!!

[@KalamazooAreaRailfan]

Even though the Chicago line isn’t at Wellsboro, Indiana, the CSX Garrett sub and CN South Bend sub cross each other at Wellsboro, and that’s pretty busy itself

[@trtrproductions]

I've been to Wellsboro a few times but never thought to spend a whole day there. Great idea! Adding that spot to the list for sure!

[@TrainsAreReallyCool]

You should make a trip to Ohio some time. We have some pretty well known hotspots down here; Marion, Fostoria, Deshler and Berea. Berea is by far the busiest and the best out of the Four, but all of them are worth checking out.

[@kevinbaker4241]

As a railfan from Northeast Ohio, I've been to all four of those places, but for my money, my preferred hot spot is actually Bellevue. (Fostoria is a close second, as I can use OH-18 to go between the two locations, making railfanning them pretty easy.) I've been to Kemper Railfan Park near the Mad River & NKP Museum in downtown Bellevue multiple times, and it is THE place to see NS trains going into and coming out of Moorman Yard. I caught the SOU 8099 leading a train into the yard in 2020, and I also saw the NKP 8100 passing the railfan park while on the museum grounds back in 2016.

[@trtrproductions]

Thank you for the suggestion, that’s a great idea! Perhaps this spring, a trip out there will definitely be of order!

[@TheMW2informer]

Wonder how this spot compares in traffic to Rochelle or Duplainville?

[@trtrproductions]

I would imagine Pine Junction would be substantially higher, but I’m also biased as I’ve spent infinitely more time there than the others. I recall a few years ago, visiting Rochelle and only seeing two trains in the two hours I was there. Perhaps another visit is in order!

[@railfanjedi]

what part of Gary Indiana were you in, the safe one? or the unsafe? i'm trying to say, were you east, west, south, or north?

[@trtrproductions]

This is located on the far northwest side of Gary, north of the airport. The crossing is located well over a mile from the closest neighborhood, and I've never felt at any danger here. Nothing but steel mill and railroad vehicular traffic down here.

[@orbitsrailfanvids]

Oh my god new trtr video

[@trtrproductions]

Hopefully I didn't disappoint! Thanks for watching!

[@samstranghorwitz]

Hey where is the exact location of this spot?

[@SignalMan9292]

DeKalb, IL

[@newcastlerails1416]

Every time I've been there I've had issues with railroad police. CN especially.

[@Georgiarailvideos6325]

what were they saying?

[@newcastlerails1416]

@@Georgiarailvideos6325 get the hell out essentially.

[@blackdiamondexpress1889]

​@@Georgiarailvideos6325 When I went there about 3 years ago, we were told by CN police that the whole area is RR property and we were trespassing technically. He let us go, and I can't remember why, but he said we should leave if any other RR personnel showed up. I remember he also said to stay on the south side of the tracks if we were going to stay.

[@WildDudeKC]

The biggest one is in North Platte, Nebraska. Also is it true that Gary is a dangerous town or is that a rumour?

[@alanpiorkowski6013]

It's definitely NOT a rumor!

[@WildDudeKC]

@ ok thx

[@TheMW2informer]

I was there this April to walk through some abandoned buildings and it wasn’t too too bad, Chicago is worse because there’s still a lot of people there, Gary feels a LOT more empty than surrounding areas.

[@Railfan_Austin]

What gear do you use?

[@trtrproductions]

I use a JVC GY-HM170U, with an external condenser mic mounted on top for audio. The camera has a lot of quirks I'm not fond of, but it gets the job done!

[@povertyspec9651]

1:25 Good old horrible Indiana roads

[@Straight2_Official]

18:41 Ricky’s favorite

[@Rickybnsf]

😻 (why you gotta call me out)

[@TLT_Productions]

HI DOS

[@NortheasternRailroads]

Can I take a Amtrak to a populated nearby area and walk to on from safely I can’t drive blind in my right eye I live locations like this

[@trtrproductions]

Unfortunately there's no Amtrak station anywhere near walking distance to this location. The closest option for mass transit would be the South Shore's Gary Airport station, but that's nearly two miles of industrial roads away from here.

[@railyardfilms6491]

The Midwest Amtrak passenger cars are better painted then the god ugly looking colors on corridor passenger cars in California

[@tftrainman]

Wow you mean there is something good about Gary indiana?? Color me shocked. Unfortunately I will never visit as I dont beleive in putting myself or my family at risk being in one of the country's most violent cities.