Steel Mill Switchers @ CP502 and EJ&E surprise

Sorry for the poor video attention
My main focus was to get some good audio from the old Inland Steel Cat Switchers. They are old and warn out, so I dont expect them to be around much more. They do sound great though! During the video CN decided to run the the Lakefront Sub local, with some good ole' original J power.

[@rayinpau.s.a.6351]

Just listening to the engines reminds me of being in the P&LE Rail yards many years ago . RIP P&LE !

[@ForbiddTV]

Inland Steel also had a narrow gauge diesel-electric rail system within the #2BOF mold yard. This was a completely isolated system and couldn't be seen from outside the mill. We had six engines. I worked on them as a conductor and switch man for many years. The whole area was closed down when they built the #2 caster. We weren't allowed cameras in the mill but I sure wish I had taken a few pictures. Anyone seen any photos/videos online of the Inland Steel narrow gauge? We were told that we were the last industry operational narrow gauge in the country. When they closed down that part we were told the engines were sold to industry in Peru, except rumor had it that one of them was museum bound.

[@bradleyw3771]

Nice to see that J train going down what they called the "lake front" track, which went to service the Comm Ed generator station at 100th st. and once into the old South Chicago steel mill. I worked as an locomotive engineer at the J for 34 years leaving in 2003, spent the last 15 or so years working out of Joliet, Illinois, not Gary Indiana

[@Gaven-cn5gq]

My dad was a switchmen running a SW1000 #211 for 17 years at Evraz steel in Portland Oregon for short time they experimented with a remote control GP40 then back to the SW1000

[@gacj2010]

This is so great to see the operation in a steel plant...Is there a supply line where raw materials come from afar and then the switchers do their shunting? I love this working yard.

[@SkyhawkACE123]

Raw materials come in by both water and rail in bulk (taconite, coke, coal, scrap steel, etc)

[@soupdragon12345]

great video thanks for sharing . I am amazed at how busy it all is ! the engines are working really hard with long trains .

[@SkyhawkACE123]

+soupdragon12345 Thanks! I love going here, such an urban scene!

[@tomp8871]

@@SkyhawkACE123 urban scene, thats went through my head watching it. Rail everywhere, trains constantly going back and forth, wires all over and even bigger high tention wires over everything and it's filthy!! I'm not a painter, but I would love to paint that. Thanks

[@SkyhawkACE123]

@@tomp8871 glad you enjoyed it!

[@bfs1054]

Great video! Reminds me of the mill in the beginning of "Unstoppable."

[@celica825]

Loving the shots!

[@Bert4ceasar]

Nice Harbor 4010 GP40-P2 as well.

[@JLJ061]

Nice catch!

[@SkyhawkACE123]

Thank you!

[@PetzMsbt]

May thanks for that great video; the Cat - rebuilt locos sounds awesome but based at the remote contol outfit and that no blue smokescreen can be seen i would not believe that their life end is near.

[@SkyhawkACE123]

Thanks! It sure is a cluster!

[@SkyhawkACE123]

Thanks!

[@TrainTrackTrav]

Great video. But I have to say that jacked up K3 is perfect for a beat up, hard workin' ol' switcher.

[@BurlingtonNorthernModeler]

Fantastic video Austin, this place looks amazing, I do however like that fouled K3 it sounds good on a switcher for some oodd reason. Neat CAT's too

[@OkinProductions]

i like that horn

[@timpriddy349]

Nice action here

[@mattstarr8203]

paint scheme changes they are blue with cliffs written on them

[@Steven_Williams]

Very nice shots! Is this Arcelor Mittal in East Chicago?

[@ForbiddTV]

Yes, Plant 2 South near Cline Ave. Used to be known as Inland Steel when I worked on the railroad there.

[@CombatBuckee]

Can this even still be accessed? And does switching still occur here?

[@ForbiddTV]

Yes, via a publicly accessible walkway.

[@IlikeCatF]

What kind of cat switchers? Like MP 15AC?

[@SkyhawkACE123]

MP15AC's are powered by a 12-645E. In the 90s, Inland steel rebuilt their aging fleet of older end cab switchers like SW8's, SW9's, and SW10's with cat diesel engines, seen here. Most are getting re powered with EMD engines again.

[@SantaFe19484]

Awesome video! Where is this at?

[@ForbiddTV]

East Chicago Indiana.

[@mattstarr8203]

inland steel

[@dwaineholman5037]

Is that spot open to the public?

[@SkyhawkACE123]

+Dwaine Holman Allegedly it is a public pedestrian bridge, however I have been kicked out before.

[@ForbiddTV]

It's a public walkway. I used it for many years when working at Inland Steel. You don't need a badge until you get to the other side and try to enter the south gate which is just to the right of where you are videoing.

[@buixrule]

What year was this? Obviously old I assume since the steel industry in usa is dead.

[@SkyhawkACE123]

Footage was either later 2011 or early 2012.

[@gacj2010]

I understand Steel is coming back due to tariffs but I don't know if these switchers will be used.

[@SkyhawkACE123]

@@gacj2010 I go there about once a month and I see them every time

[@gacj2010]

@@SkyhawkACE123 Thank you....I love this.

[@Gaven-cn5gq]

My dad was a switchmen running a SW1000 #211 for 17 years at Evraz steel in Portland Oregon for short time they experimented with a remote control GP40 then back to the SW1000

[@SkyhawkACE123]

Thanks!

[@Gaven-cn5gq]

My dad was a switchmen running a SW1000 #211 for 17 years at Evraz steel in Portland Oregon for short time they experimented with a remote control GP40 then back to the SW1000

[@Gaven-cn5gq]

My dad was a switchmen running a SW1000 #211 for 17 years at Evraz steel in Portland Oregon for short time they experimented with a remote control GP40 then back to the SW1000

[@SkyhawkACE123]

Thanks!