TRRS 552: Railfanning the Chicago Line at Porter Junction

CHESTERTON, INDIANA - 05 SEP 2021
On Sunday, September 5th, 2021, we spent six hours at Control Point 482 on the NS Chicago Line, also known as Porter Junction, reveling in the density and variety of trains here. Over those 6 hours, we catch a total of 16 trains, showcasing that density and variety that this place is known for.
NS Manifest EB
Consist:
- BNSF 4691 [C44-9W]
- BNSF 6301 [ES44AC]
- 67 Mixed Carloads
Location/Time:
- NS Chicago Line, Chesterton, IN, CP482/Wagner St xing, on 05Sep2021 at 06:23 CDT
CP Manifest WB
Consist:
- BNSF 8446 [SD70ACe]
- BNSF 7541 [ES44DC]
- CP 8853 [ES44AC]
- 73 Mixed Carloads
- 56 Loaded Autoracks
Location/Time:
- NS Chicago Line, Chesterton, IN, CP482/Wagner St xing, on 05Sep2021 at 06:52 CDT
CSX Q326 Manifest
Consist:
- UP 6462 [AC44CW]
- 43 Mixed Carloads
- UP 7710 [ES44AC]
- 41 Mixed Carloads
Location/Time:
- CSX GR Sub, Chesterton, IN, CP482/Wagner St xing, on 05Sep2021 at 07:00 CDT
NS Intermodal EB
Consist:
- NS 9550 [C44-9W]
- NS 8024 [ES44AC]
- 147 Intermodal Cars
Location/Time:
- NS Chicago Line, Chesterton, IN, CP482/Wagner St xing, on 05Sep2021 at 07:11 CDT
NS Intermodal WB
Consist:
- NS 9355 [C44-9W]
- NS 94?? [C44-9W]
- NS 109? [SD70ACe]
- 61 Intermodal Cars
Location/Time:
- NS Chicago Line, Chesterton, IN, CP482/Wagner St xing, on 05Sep2021 at 07:17 CDT
Amtrak #371 Pere Marquette
Consist:
- IDTX 4608 [SC-44]
- 3 Superliners
Location/Time:
- CSX GR Sub, Chesterton, IN, CP482/Wagner St xing, on 05Sep2021 at 08:05 CDT
Amtrak #350 Wolverine
Consist:
- IDTX 4626 [SC-44]
- 4 Horizon Coaches
- 1 Amfleet Café
Location/Time:
- AMTK MI Line, Chesterton, IN, CP482/Wagner St xing, on 05Sep2021 at 08:19 CDT
Amtrak #29 Capitol Limited
Consist:
- AMTK 107 [P42DC]
- 1 Superliner Transition Crew Dorm / Sleeper
- 1 Superliner Sleeper
- 1 Superliner Diner
- 2 Superliner Coaches
Location/Time:
- NS Chicago Line, Chesterton, IN, CP482/Wagner St xing, on 05Sep2021 at 08:34 CDT
Amtrak #49 Lake Shore Limited
Consist:
- AMTK 108 [P42DC] 50th Ann. ‘Day 1’ Heritage
- AMTK 101 [P42DC]
- 1 Viewliner Sleeper
- 1 Amfleet Café
- 4 Amfleet Coaches
- 1 Viewliner Diner
- 2 Viewliner Sleepers
- 1 Viewliner Baggage
Location/Time:
- NS Chicago Line, Chesterton, IN, CP482/Wagner St xing, on 05Sep2021 at 09:18 CDT
NS Intermodal EB
Consist:
- NS 1212 [SD70ACe]
- NS 9826 [C44-9W]
- 82 Intermodal Cars
Location/Time:
- NS Chicago Line, Chesterton, IN, CP482/Wagner St xing, on 05Sep2021 at 09:23 CDT
Amtrak #351 Wolverine
Consist:
- IDTX 4603 [SC-44]
- 1 Horizon Café
- 4 Horizon Coaches
Location/Time:
- AMTK MI Line, Chesterton, IN, CP482/Wagner St xing, on 05Sep2021 at 09:32 CDT
NS Intermodal WB
Consist:
- NS 8166 [ES44AC]
- NS 9723 [C44-9W]
- NS 7719 [ES44DC]
- 119 Intermodal Cars
Location/Time:
- NS Chicago Line, Chesterton, IN, CP482/Wagner St xing, on 05Sep2021 at 09:45 CDT
NS Autorack WB
Consist:
- NS 4377 [AC44C6M]
- UP 8188 [ES44AC-H/C45AH]
- Car Count Unknown - Loaded Autoracks
Location/Time:
- NS Chicago Line, Chesterton, IN, CP482/Wagner St xing, on 05Sep2021 at 10:43 CDT
Amtrak #365 Blue Water
Consist:
- IDTX 4618 [SC-44]
- 1 Amfleet Café
- 5 Horizon Coaches
- IDTX 4605 [SC-44]
Location/Time:
- AMTK MI Line, Chesterton, IN, CP482/Wagner St xing, on 05Sep2021 at 10:58 CDT
NS Intermodal EB
Consist:
- NS 4131 [AC44C6M]
- NS 9460 [C44-9W]
- 60 Intermodal Cars
Location/Time:
- NS Chicago Line, Chesterton, IN, CP482/Wagner St xing, on 05Sep2021 at 11:15 CDT
NS Manifest EB
Consist:
- NS 7512 [ES44DC]
- NS 7702 [ES44DC]
- 102 Mixed Carloads
Location/Time:
- NS Chicago Line, Chesterton, IN, CP482/Wagner St xing, on 05Sep2021 at 12:01 CDT
Thanks for watching! Make sure to leave a like and subscribe, for more from the Thornapple River Rail Series! Your support keeps this channel rolling - don’t forget to leave your thoughts and questions in the comments below!
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Videography Equipment:
- Primary: Sony FDR-AX53 4K Camcorder
- Radio Scanner: Uniden Bearcat BC125AT
- Edited with: Cyberlink PowerDirector 16
Created by Alex Christmas. Copyright 2021, as the Thornapple River Rail Series, All Rights Reserved

[@csx5945]

been there with my dad 3 times its the best place to watch trains

[@donhunking2286]

You make most enjoyable videos . I like your technique of brief shot of approach , then head end power , little bit of train makeup , then end of train going bye-bye . Other videos make u watch the whole train as it passes . Too boring and hard on data usage. Like the narration too . You know what you're talking about ! Well done 👍

[@StormySkyRailProductions]

Beautiful video, We like stopping there on our way through or just to go there on a day trip once and awhile.

[@stinkychroma]

I can see this as an amazing route in T:ANE and TRS19 tbh.

[@iusetano]

Loved watching. I hope you more from this location. Excellent video as always.

[@Army_Outdoors_88N]

Great documentary dude. So relaxing and interesting

[@csolivais1979]

Was there today while eating a late lunch watching your last video.

[@CombsTowerProductions]

Oh man you’re back in NWI? Nice! Good video man

[@IamValentina66]

I’m not sure where this exact spot is. I drove to Chesterton and parked at Rileys. Not a single train went by. It was a Sunday during COVID. Better chances these days?

[@ThornappleRiverRailSeries]

This is several crossings west of Riley’s. It can go dead at times but it’s always at least 60-70+ trains daily

[@denisetindall1487]

I like train videos on KZbin 👍

[@paulcalkins9031]

I grew up living next to the rail. It’s interesting to see and hear the change over the last 60 years. Thankyou

[@HematomaFalafalPatrol]

12:02 I believe that makes the Capitol third shortest with the Texas Eagle in second and the Pere Marquette in first. The Eagle has been running just 4 cars this year.

[@ThornappleRiverRailSeries]

Yikes!

[@jec9126]

Nice video. I like how you narrate your vids

[@JeremyM-h6d]

Can’t wait for the new video 😁

[@lt.pxtton8528]

nice video

[@Nicola636128]

Good video!

[@TrainBusinfo]

No words awesome 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@galaxyrailfanning7860]

Great video and narration! Sweet catches!

[@dutchbrad8695]

My favorite place to stalk the iron horse. Thanks for this video!

[@jermainewyatt1995]

Amazing video love watching them caint wait til the next

[@misterbonesontour4640]

Nice Video 🤤👍

[@MarquiseRailfanProductions441]

Nice catches keep up the great work 👍

[@NapierNimbus]

Excellent, gorgeous lighting conditions

[@chrischiampo7647]

😀👍🏼

[@ncmainlineproductions9290]

Spectacular video. This Junction has been on my bucket list for quite some time, and this video is giving me more inspiration to make the 13 hour drive.

[@ThornappleRiverRailSeries]

It’s great! Other good spots in the area include Elkhart and everything else ChicagoLand has to offer.

[@timdodge7845]

well narrated, great video, hope to see more videos soon

[@williamkesler2373]

You released a preview of BNSF’s Metra Racetrack over six months ago. When do you think that’s going to be ready?

[@ThornappleRiverRailSeries]

Probably this weekend! I’ve been putting the finishing touches on it the last couple nights.

[@KTrain20]

Awesome catches!! keep up the great work!!

[@misterflibble6601]

Technical and artistic excellence

[@ThornappleRiverRailSeries]

My pleasure!

[@GoogsMindbent]

Got anything from the east Chicago CP 502 area? or Blue Island?