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Bruce Stahl
Shortly after 10 a.m. on March 12, wreck crews had Car No. 40 hooked and ready to move.
MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. — The Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District’s South Shore is running fine today. But on Saturday, March 12, a relatively small derailment took down the commuter railroad’s network. South Shore Train 600 derailed at the shops on Carroll Avenue in Michigan City when cars 40 and 16 split a switch and left the tracks while crews moved the eight-car train into position for the day. The derailment damaged both track and overhead catenary wires forcing the railroad to suspend all of its electrified services through most of the day. The derailment happened hours before Chicago’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities, complicating the commute for those expecting to take train from the east into the Midwestern city.
The photo set by Mr. Stahl is impressive, especially the second shot. That picture apparently shows the switch points as "pickable." Great photography!
Mr Vinson sounds like what they needed was an 87/1 0-5-0 switcher! 🙂
One hand would suffice to re-rail a train at 1/87 the size while cranes are required for full scale trains with track and catenary repairs.
It is a good thing it didn't happen during the festivities, trapping all those Indiana folks in Chicago! Alternate transportation and overnight accommodations would have been in short supply.