South Shore Line Set to Resume Regular Service After Freight Train Derailment

Regular service will resume Friday for the South Shore Line following a freight train derailment on June 24 near East Chicago. The busing substitution between the Hammond Gateway and East Chicago stations will end with the final train on Thursday, as announced by the railroad.

The June 24 South Shore Freight derailment damaged the catenary system on the South Shore Line’s Grand Calumet River Bridge. Workers have been busy hooking up overhead lines to power the line’s freight cars.

Chief Experience and Engagement Officer Nicole Barker stated on Wednesday that the busing effort has cost the railroad approximately $750,000. The first train to follow the normal schedule on Friday will be eastbound Train 401, departing Carroll Avenue Station in Michigan City at 3:50 a.m.

The trains have been operating on a modified schedule, including weekend/holiday timing and additional early rush hour trains from Munster/Dyer on the Monon Corridor route since the service disruption.

The derailment involved 13 cars from an empty South Shore Freight coal train tipping over on the Grand Calumet River Bridge, damaging supports and overhead power wires. Fortunately, no injuries occurred. New parts were fabricated and installed to restore the line.

David Dech, South Shore Line President, expressed gratitude in a news release, saying, “We thank the South Shore Line crews, Iron Workers Local 395, Operations Local 150, DLZ, and Superior Construction teams that worked incredibly hard to make these repairs in a safe and timely manner. We also thank our passengers for their patience during this challenging time.”

Doug Ross contributes to the Post-Tribune as a freelance reporter.