South Shore Line The Last Interurban

The last of the electric railways to carry both passengers and freight, the South Shore Line (Chicago, South Shore & South Bend Railroad) operates between Chicago, IL, and South Bend, IN., although freight service is now diesel powered. In the past, as was common with midwest interurbans, South Shore trains rain on private right of way in open areas, and on the streets of cities and towns. The only city that still hosts CSS&SB trains on its streets is Michigan City, IN; and if plans are followed, trains will be routed onto private R.O.W. there, too. But until then, enjoy the ride!

[@torqued666]

In the 70s, if you lived around South Bend and went to school in Chicago, the South Shore was your best friend. $3.15 one way. Your 2nd best friend was flying standby on Skystream Airlines out of Meigs Field. $5 to SB, and on the night flights you were likely to be the only passenger. The pilots always let me sit nest to them and wear the headsets. I don't think that kind of thing happens anywhere these days.

[@georgemurphy2579]

Nothing happens anywhere these days. A different world out there. Remember the adage, "Never let your guard down?" Well. we have and now we're paying for it.

[@maggie0285]

This is the first I have heard of this train. Freakin cool seeing a locomotive moving in the middle of a street. I guess if you were driving your car and seen a train in your rear view you better get out of the way lol.

[@pacificelectric1955]

When it comes to transportation the US have some really nice surprises!

[@Mark-Milw42]

Thanks for taking the time to record the "last of the interurbans". Seeing the cars running down the middle of Michigan City brings back lots of memories .

[@travelingtom923]

Had no idea the South Shore was still around. Loved the street running!

[@justinanderson181]

Traveling Tom oh it’s still around and arguably better than ever. They are extending it too to south of Hammond about 8 miles here in the future.

[@laurencegray4720]

The South Shore Line got some lucky breaks due to its geographic location in northern Indiana.

[@marryellen7713]

Chicago Metra Electric has a middle of the road ground level on their E. 93 st line. The road bed is in-between E.73 st.

[@laurencegray4720]

Yes and we rode on it when I was child.

[@Tuckaway]

Excellent video with street running and finally capped off with a PCC tramcar. I shall watch this again. Street running is very rare here in Britain.

[@DFWRailVideos]

Train Mechanic: How many pantographs do you have? South Shore Line: *Yes*

[@rr7firefly]

If that train was on Houston's city streets you can be sure that some Texas motorist would be driving his car into it. (Happens all the time.)

[@noob.168]

LA too. And then those Floridian pedestrians.

[@DFWRailVideos]

Hmmm, Sounds like Dallas DART too

[@Passenger--kn3zb]

Imagine a train being stopped at the rail crossing, then having a rail service truck pass through

[@robertfencl4401]

What a cool station at Beverly Shores!

[@CharlieND]

Seeing a train on a suburban street really messes with my mind.

[@ebtmikado]

You were born two generations too late. At one time, it was quite common.

[@Mrcharles.]

The idea of a train running down a street makes me feel worried because some idiot on their phone could run into a massive locomotive.

[@red2theelectricboogaloo961]

@@Mrcharles. it would fuck your day up for sure

[@Poisson4147]

In the Philly suburbs SEPTA runs trolleys down the main street of Media PA.

[@mike89128]

Dune Park is on the ancient lake bed of Lake Chicago, ancestor to Lake Michigan. A slight rise to the south, about 200 feet, is the ancient shoreline.

[@nanaokyere7141]

Wow I've never seen a huge commuter train like this running in the middle of the street! That's like a subway running on the same level as the cars.

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

cOmMuTeR tRaIn, no, it's an interurban

[@ironmatic1]

@@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory shut up

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

@@ironmatic1 no.

[@LJ-xr5th]

The Ravenswood or the Brown line L runs underground as well as parallel to the city streets in Chicago. When driving in the area sometimes you’ll get a red light to let the train pass by you.

[@mic1240]

@@LJ-xr5th and same with pink, blue, yellow lines at grade level through alleys and next to streets (though barriers or at least fences between). Some people have train running behind alley and garages

[@fermitthekrog6318]

Nice video. This would be a wonderful line to see in train simulator

[@vincenthuang6341]

Great video! Thank you for your hard work!

[@andrewcrothers2000_]

It’s definitely one of the oldest interurban transit systems in the US

[@Poisson4147]

But not the only one. Many railfans count SEPTA's Norristown High Speed Line as an interurban as well. It began as the renowned Philadelphia and Western Railroad - grade-separated, standard gauge, third rail power collection; running 13 miles between Upper Darby and Norristown PA. The first cars ran in 1907 and the current route was laid down in 1912. SEPTA unfortunately has dumbed it down from its former 16-18 minute service to more like 30 minutes end to end, and eliminated the flag stop system that helped it maintain such a quick schedule.

[@LARailProductions]

The P2020 light rail vehicles that we have in LA, also built by Nippon Sharyo, have the same type of mechanical bell. It's truly a nice sound!

[@MegaSnow121]

Love trains! Though the last three trams were the best! I grew up in Europe and rode trams all the time since they ran only two blocks from my home. Love, love trams of any type. Thank you for adding those at the end.

[@LibertyRailfan]

Excellent video..

[@BumberenzoManilupinoCity]

Cool to see trains on the streets

[@carmichaeltrainproductionc9663]

Very well Documented Michigan has some amazing stuff that goes throw there!!

[@aidanwilds1419]

The Norristown High Speed Line outside of Philadelphia is also still considered an Interurban.

[@Poisson4147]

Correct. And if you stretch the definition only slightly, the two surviving ex-Red Arrow trolley lines between Upper Darby and Media / Sharon Hill also count.

[@emvvehicles_8]

Aidan Wilds as well as the Metro Blue and Expo lines in LA, they do count as their platform height is HIIIIIIIGGHHH!!!

[@newflyermaniac]

I operate the norristown high speed line, and I get into heated debates with the locals who call it an trolley line

[@iannarita9816]

The P&W doesn't have any street running. The P&W is all grade separated right of way. Not even any street crossings.

[@lexifillems]

Indeed, if it runs in a city it should be intra-urban. ;)

[@calvindavis4902]

I remember back in the early 70's riding the Old Guard Cars when I was 12 yrs old Cars 101-104 and going through the old sounds of humming noise and watching the motorman at full throttle heading westbound old water container shaking lol

[@a.b.sproductionsllc]

It’s something how a commuter rail runs right down the middle of the road with no barrier around it. You definitely better be paying attention.

[@BLACKVIKNGS88]

The Illinois Railway Museum in Union Illinois, have trolly cars Steam and diesel.

[@Robbi496]

I first rode the South Shore Line in 1970. the dune Park Station was then called Tremont and was a large wooden building on the East side of the Mainline

[@michaelplanchunas3693]

LIved at Hadenfeld and Furnessville roads. after moving in in the very early 70s, soon blocked out the train sounds only 200 feet north.

[@dougkubash8673]

Great Video!!

[@laurencegray4720]

In September 1982, I got to ride on the old orange cars from the 1920's from downtown Chicago to Michigan City and back to Chicago. I have also ridden on the Metra Electric train which runs down the middle of Seventy-First Street on the south side of Chicago. I have also ridden on the Norristown High Speed Line as well as the trolley lines in the western suburbs of Philadelphia which run to Media and Sharon Hill.

[@laurencegray4720]

In October of last year, I got to ride on the South Shore Line all of the way from South Bend into downtown Chicago and then all of the way back to South Bend. I wanted to do this at least once before they change the street running segment in Michigan City to double track. While I rode the train through Michigan City, I noticed there were already a lot of empty lots on both sides of the street. On some of the houses, there were large signs stating that this house was empty and was scheduled to be demolished soon. If I am lucky, I am hoping that I will be able to return after they have finished double tracking through Michigan City and ride on the train again.

[@cat1554]

I remember when "Indiana Dunes" was a low level platform.

[@michaelplanchunas3693]

Nothing more than a bare spot next to the tracks. Got off there many times in early 70s.

[@timosha21]

insane footage!!!

[@sophornnmun3479]

Dangerous roads, Good video

[@melatocarias4809]

That is so cool.

[@cats0182]

The "street running" through Michigan City, IN is interesting. I remember the PCC cars from Washington, DC.

[@LSM_Lover]

Iv ridden the bi level cars down them once.

[@michaelglass4701]

Looooove the South Shore, I'm a Model Railroder, i wish i could find a HO Scale of the South Shore Train

[@8avexp]

I still remember when South Shore trains came all the way into downtown South Bend. That PCC is all decked out in the original Green Hornet paint scheme that Chicago's postwar PCCs had.

[@drakeil]

This is so cool. I an imagine "racing" that train like that last car, keeping neck to neck with it. I have to mention that in a video on the light rail lines in San Diego there is a one track section with 2 sidings: one had 2 cars like the one right behind the diesel and another one that had 2 regular freight cars. This means that diesels must travel on the same track to move them as there are switches that go to freight yards near the south side of downtown. That area is also on streets for a short distance before they enter the right of way section.

[@kevinhoward9593]

There are two actually. SEPTA Norristown Highspeed Line is another.

[@cat1554]

Nobody cares about that it's not cool like this is

[@flygirlfly]

The 11th street station is closed for 2 years. It was basically a shelter kiosk, in a parking lot. It'll be interesting to see how they are going to 'improve' it. We used to take the train from Chicago to go to the Blue Chip Casino or the big Outlet Mall.

[@carltonpoindexter2034]

Never got to ride the South Shore line but followed it on the Indiana Turnpike. Did ride the North Shore line.

[@Robbi496]

I wonder how many out of towners who are not aware of this line are freaked when they encounter a passenger train or freight running down the middle of the street? (Unless they are from Oakland, CA, of course)

[@marryellen7713]

Beckett M, "Can someone PLEASE tell me why south shore freight uses diesel locomotives." South Shore use to have 3 electric fright motor units "Little Joe". Milwaukee Road had 2 of the same. They were produced to go to Russia, Joe Stalin. When the cold way started the U.S. government stopped the order. Units 801, 802, 803.

[@hstfan9067]

i like interurban lines

[@albertcarello619]

Street trackage soon to be a memory as double tracking construction is taking place. I use to think that this street running would be as traditional as the Cable Cars of San Francisco and the New Orleans Trolleys.

[@marryellen7713]

What a rare catch seen a S.S. pulling out of the "Y". C.S.S. & S.B. South Shore I actually the name of the freight service. The passenger service is "NICTD", Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District.

[@timosha21]

that is so f(cking cool!!!!

[@nativegerry335]

Pretty much how the system will look if it existed today here in Vancouver bc

[@Theodrehad]

It's like tailgating a train.... lol

[@mohandasghandi3441]

Its cool

[@robertgift]

Fun video! Thank you. Glad you did some following. Please follow a whole street run. 12:25 That interesting lone mee-mool light *(o)T(o)* stays operating way too long. Signal problem?

[@alden5931]

There's one last interurban other than this- SEPTA (Philadelphia)'s Norristown High Speed Line. (It's classified by request stops, right?) The only difference is that it is completely grade-separated and runs on strange one car trains.

[@Poisson4147]

The N-5 cars are closer to light-rail vehicles than trolleys, but it's definitely been considered to be an interurban since its days as the P&W system. It's only a modest stretch to also include the ex-Red Arrow trolley lines to Media and Sharon Hill.

[@timosha21]

I am compiling a video of commuter rail systems in the United States: I have not had a chance to film this system and was wondering if I could use 30 seconds of your footage? I would be more than happy to list your channel as credits under the description once I put out the video

[@ebtmikado]

You are most welcome to use some footage. Please credit L.B. Carlson

[@ebtmikado]

You are most welcome to use some footage. Please credit L. B. Carlson

[@Trailer_Sailor]

Would've been nice to see my stop @ Hudson Lake! :-(

[@cats0182]

As I understand it, the South Shore freight operation is a completely separate, private entity. It has nothing to do with the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, owner and operator of the passenger service.

[@rodhard688]

I made the Air Conditioners for those trains!

[@NeighborSenpai]

Well it did operate them, the NICTD just took over the operation because the company didn't want to operate the line when it was unprofitable, basically the NICTD saved the line from a fate the other lines had

[@jasonpetersrailadventures]

Cool

[@marryellen7713]

Noe Berengena That has happen here many times. It is a bit of a shock to look in your rear view mirror and see a Diesel Train engine following you.

[@chrisfinch8637]

What was that music used at the beginning? I've heard it once before.

[@brushcreek42]

Kind of "tongue in cheek" to still refer the South Shore as an interurban. When it still ran on the streets in East Chicago and South Bend, it was still an interurban. It's nothing more than an electric suburban commuter RR now, especially after they take the tracks up on the Michigan City streets. Interurbans are a memory of the distant past, a victim of the American love of the automobile. I was lucky enough to ride the SS on the streets of South Bend in 1969, just a couple of years before they took the tracks off the streets. I took a few slides and put them on my Flickr pages. www.flickr.com/photos/26903289@N03/13669949503/in/album-72157639352459466/

[@ebtmikado]

Street running is not requisite to be defined an interurban.

[@brushcreek42]

I bet that 95% or more of interurbans that ever existed had some degree of street running. What about the IC electric from the Loop to Blue Island or 93rd Street 50 years ago? It had interurban coaches with street "level" running, but was an electric commuter line. Missing was street running and didn't go through small towns. There are no cut and dried definitions of interurban, but street running should be included. Matter of opinion, I guess.

[@markdebruyn1212]

Notice there is still a street running section in Michigan City, just look on Google Maps

[@torqued666]

Thank you! The billboards in those pics were great to see!

[@iannarita9816]

Illinois Central was a Class I railroad. The commuter operation was electrified in the early part of the 20th century.

[@georgemurphy2579]

Very, very nice job! Loved it! Not a fan of cars and trains sharing the same roadway, though. Is it still running?

[@georgemurphy2579]

@Carl Ferrigno - in this case, both at the same time ........haha

[@JungleYT]

So, WHAT do you call the trains in L.A. that run *partially* down city streets, but mostly separate from city streets? I thought "Interurban" referred to self-propelled passenger train car?

[@ebtmikado]

An interurban is defined as an electric railway, at least 10 miles long, providing service between cities. I would think that the L.A. operation would be best described as a suburban light rail line.

[@JungleYT]

Hey, Thanks!

[@DirkGorgiel]

For me as a German it looks so 1940...I thought we lost 2 wars and been destroyed down to the ground.

[@jtkm]

Dirk Gorgiel we the Japanese got nuked twice and were utterly destroyed, and now we have some of the fastest and safest trains in the world! America has a better fright network though, that’s all.

[@peteradaniel]

Iain Botham yes what was that? 150,000 confirmed covid19 cases with only 5000 deaths as of 28.04.2020? Yeah they really do have Angela Merkel running their country!

[@jrayproductions7790]

Yeeeeah, you got Merkel, which is just as bad as having Hitler.

[@DirkGorgiel]

Johnathan Turner look at the calendar, then call again!

[@jrayproductions7790]

@@peteradaniel Tevas, which is approximately the same size as Germany, has had only 45,000 cases and 1200 deaths. All without threatening arrest, for going for a walk. Fuck Germany.

[@theodoretaylor5228]

What makes it an interurban? Street running?

[@paulmentzer7658]

Connecting urban areas, often nearby urban areas of 1900 to each other. Highways do this now in most of the US. In 1900 it was urban streetcar systems being connected via they own right of way between urban systems. So you had street running in urban areas connected by streetcar only right of way between the urban areas.

[@2teKnoA]

Those passenger trains need more pantographs...

[@atomstarfireproductions8695]

I’m curious about how the electric system works. Why are sometimes only one pantograph raised, while sometimes both are raised?

[@justinanderson181]

atom starfire productions They are typically raised in the direction of travel. So if they are going westbound, they would have the pantographs on the left up. Not sure why some of them were random though.

[@tothlevente3692]

It's a pity that this line is just one. The movie was good! Greetings from Hungary. T. L.

[@ebtmikado]

Thank you, and greetings from the U.S.

[@DJ-ow4hx]

日本と違いアメリカは1960年代に車社会になり、鉄道が衰退してしまった。 しかし、日本は路面電車だったものが普通の鉄道に代わり、専用軌道になった。東京や関西の私鉄の一部がそう。

[@slackjawedyokel1]

was this the one that hit the choir boy in the John Prine song ?

[@andrewstrains5717]

9,999 views 12/28/2017 5:45pm by me

[@juniorgiacomelli492]

Não quero nem imaginar se isso fosse no Brasil. Com certeza teria um carro embaixo do trem todos os dias.

[@scooterboy258roblox7]

The street runner

[@marryellen7713]

@UCdym0RKNovlQ1OUh3rLsjNw @ Wow I've never seen a huge commuter train like this running in the middle of the street! That's like a subway running on the same level as the cars. Chicago does have this. Their "Metra Electric downtown to E 93 st trains run down the middle (between) E. 73rd street.

[@davidclosedthisaccount]

Rails unlimited

[@woxof6969]

The freight services are diesel powered while the passenger services are electric powered.

[@F40PH-2CAT]

Diesel trains go many places where there is no electrification. Constant engine swapping makes no sense.

[@SuperRolyPoly]

Couldn't have this type of railway in the UK. Too many idiot drivers and unless the crossing were fully gated they would be trying to jump them.

[@beckettmurtaugh3170]

Can someone PLEASE tell me why south shore freight uses diesel locomotives

[@ebtmikado]

So that the freight trains can operate on the several miles of non-electrified sidings, yard track, and branch line.

[@beckettmurtaugh3170]

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electro-diesel_locomotive

[@F40PH-2CAT]

​@@beckettmurtaugh3170 expensive. Diesels can go anywhere.

[@Eastkentuckysirensandtrains]

DiNg DiNg DiNg DiNg DiNg

[@Greatlakesrailfan]

10:04 where exactly is that town

[@ebtmikado]

Michigan City, IN

[@elperroazul9992]

I wish south shore could reacquire 803 and use in special trains and in freight service just like Union Pacific uses dda40x 6936 in special trains and freight

[@tramsylweriusz5740]

👍

[@MsGalfreak]

Comparison : 1. Santa Cruz California kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJyZYqiip9J7htk 2. Saint Marys Virginia kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYu4h6Kbr9eMpM0

[@kwydir7362]

That's not true there are two left alive that and the septa nhsl

[@ebtmikado]

Depends on definition. Freight service no longer done on Norristown.

[@mic1240]

What cities (not suburbs of Philly) does SETPA connect to as interurban? This is 90 miles to South Bend, Ind, not a suburb of Chicago or in same metro area as Chicago.

[@Poisson4147]

@@mic1240 SEPTA (rather than SETPA) operates the ex-P&W line between Upper Darby and Norristown PA. They also run trolleys between U.D. and two other towns, Media and Sharon Hill. The AFAIK Media s the only small town in the US to still have trolleys on its main street.

[@mic1240]

@@Poisson4147 thanks, and for typo correct. Take care

[@mohamedibrahim5511]

Both end having no engine, How it’s working

[@ebtmikado]

Self powered electric train.

[@michaelglass4701]

Mohamed Ibrahim , the wires overhead

[@Rickatspeedoflight]

How many people ride it?

[@ebtmikado]

Enough to warrant 6 car trains.

[@spaceghost8995]

A lot

[@atomstarfireproductions8695]

Enough that they also run double decker trains (Highliner)

[@georgeadams1853]

In December 2018, it carried over 265,000 passengers. There were over 3.4 million passengers for the year, down slightly from 2017. www.mysouthshoreline.com/images/December-2018-Ridership-Report.pdf

[@tubbylover9593]

How about SEPTA Regional, is that not interurban?

[@iannarita9816]

SEPTA regional is the old Pennsylvania Railroad or Reading Railroad commuter operations. Basically Class I railroads that electrified their commuter operations. In both cases it eliminated switching of steam locomotives that took up track capacity by being able to reverse directions without switching the locomotive.

[@Poisson4147]

The RRD isn't considered to be an interurban but many rail buffs include the ex-P&W, now Norristown High Speed Line to be up there with the South Shore. A few add the two remaining suburban trolley lines because they connect towns at each end (Upper Darby to Media and to Sharon Hill)

[@WindyCityExpeditionist]

4:19, what kinda horn?

[@ebtmikado]

Air horn.

[@WindyCityExpeditionist]

@@ebtmikado 🤣🤣

[@radanju3]

Why can't they just put a normal train bell on these? Why does it have to be a crossing bell? It just isn't fitting in my opinion.

[@Whitebeard79outOfRus]

it's Japan produced cars, they fitted with their own bells

[@ronaldramos8873]

Those short honks remind me of Teddy the honking cat-- kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4awaqeHppyVbrM

[@brucealanwilson4121]

Pretty pictures. But it would have been nice if we could have learned of the history of the line, why it has survived when other Interurbans have not, the social and economic ipact it has on the communities it serves, etc. In short this video raises more questions than it answers.

[@markstephen5028]

Standing a little too close to the tracks @14:25? Never get closer than 25 feet. You should know better!

[@lydmik]

it bothers me to see those freight locomotives going so fast down the city street

[@scooterboy258roblox7]

Train is named rail runner

[@ebtmikado]

Rail Runner is in New Mexico.

[@sylassmith7626]

No offense but the inner urban is kind a ugly, looks like a cross between a subway and a light rail

[@Poisson4147]

This is only one modern example. Look up things like the P&W system outside of Philly and the North Shore Line, for example. (FWIW, you'll need to look for "interurban" which is the actual term )

[@atomstarfireproductions8695]

It originally ran streetcars, which is why currently it runs through streets. They eventually used trains with several cars. However, they also run double decker electric trains (which also aren’t very common).

[@peteradaniel]

What a shockingly antiquated rail infrastructure system. And you wonder why The US has no high speed rail. This is ridiculous.

[@VieleGuteFahrer]

The U.S. already has high-speed rail. The *Acela Express* and *Brightline* . CHSR, XpressWest, and Texas Central will follow soon. Denver is one example for a modern commuter rail system, New York has a decent and extensive system. Caltrain and MBTA are also upgrading their lines.

[@F40PH-2CAT]

We do have high speed rail....where it makes sense.

[@bobcook3425]

enjoy this while we have it. mc government will screw it up soon.

[@PassionTC67]

pour eux les américains, un tram es un train de taille normale française.et les train ... une maison sur roues xD

[@hartstukken]

typa shit that makes us EU's go wtf

[@jrayproductions7790]

We don't give a fuck what the EU thinks.

[@F40PH-2CAT]

Light rail and trams are common there, and who cares what yesterday's powers think today?

[@jonesjames89]

If it ain’t diesel. It’s junk

[@davidclosedthisaccount]

Rails unlimited

[@marryellen7713]

@UCdym0RKNovlQ1OUh3rLsjNw @ Wow I've never seen a huge commuter train like this running in the middle of the street! That's like a subway running on the same level as the cars. Chicago does have this. Their "Metra Electric downtown to E 93 st trains run down the middle (between) E. 73rd street.