Chicago South Shore & South Bend (NICTD) discussion (2023-2024)

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AmtrakMaineiac

AmtrakMaineiac

Streetcar Motorman
AU Supporting Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2021
Messages
2,112
Location
The Real Maine (East of Ellsworth)
South Shore double track opens

The South Shore Line has released new schedules effective Oct. 25 for the resumption of train service between the Carroll Avenue station in Michigan City, Ind., and Dune Park in Chesterton, Ind., as well as continued bus substitution between Dune Park and the Gary (Ind.) Metro Center station.
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This includes the new double track segment that replaces street running in Michigan City, the last interurban style street operation left in the US

Full rail service over the entire line is slated to resume in spring 2024.
 
AmtrakMaineiac said:
South Shore double track opens


This includes the new double track segment that replaces street running in Michigan City, the last interurban style street operation left in the US

Full rail service over the entire line is slated to resume in spring 2024.
Click to expand...
There have also been discussions about eventually running AMTRAK Michigan service over South Shore Line between Kensington and Michigan City in order to avoid congestion on the current NS route.
 
Looking at the new CAT for the SS it appears that all structure and insulators resemble installations that are for 25 kV AC CAT. Now the contact wire does appear thicker for the 1500 DC Volts. Could this be for a future conversion from 1500 Volt to 60 Hz? It will be informative how the CAT appears on the Dyer extension.
 
west point said:
Looking at the new CAT for the SS it appears that all structure and insulators resemble installations that are for 25 kV AC CAT. Now the contact wire does appear thicker for the 1500 DC Volts. Could this be for a future conversion from 1500 Volt to 60 Hz? It will be informative how the CAT appears on the Dyer extension.
Click to expand...
For this either the entire system including Metra Electric District (former ICRR) would have to convert as well, or they would have to obtain dual mode equipment. The latter should not be a big deal given that in Europe there is a lot of multi mode operation given that 1.5KV and 3 KV DC, 15KV 16.7 Hz AC, and 25 KV 50Hz AC are all prevalent and many trains have to run over some or all of these systems.
 
AmtrakMaineiac said:
For this either the entire system including Metra Electric District (former ICRR) would have to convert as well, or they would have to obtain dual mode equipment. The latter should not be a big deal given that in Europe there is a lot of multi mode operation given that 1.5KV and 3 KV DC, 15KV 16.7 Hz AC, and 25 KV 50Hz AC are all prevalent and many trains have to run over some or all of these systems.
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I'm not an EE but also think the difference between the two probably don't matter.

I was watching this HSR Alliance video and Rich Harnish said (51:55) Chargers convert from high voltage (25kV) AC to 1500VDC, then AC for the actual motors. Making CUS 1500VDC would enable electric running while also allowing far shorter clearances (he says "inches of clearance").
 
Also in news regarding the South Shore Line, a few days ago it was announced that busing will end and full rail service resume on April 9th, with the new schedule taking advantage of the double-tracking starting on May 14th.
https://www.abc57.com/news/south-shore-line-busing-to-end-april-9-double-track-opens
SOUTH BEND, Ind.-- South Shore Line leaders announced Monday construction to the double track should wrap by early April, with new service lines starting in May.

The South Shore connects South Bend to Michigan City and all the way to Chicago. Right now, passengers must bus for part of the trip to Chicago as crews work on the double track.

But that all ends April 9, and with two tracks instead of one going back and forth, plus more trains, ride times to Chicago should speed up to only be about 90 minutes.

The busing ends April 9 but the current train schedule will continue. Then, on May 14, the new train service will start. This means seven additional trains westbound and eastbound, more rush hour trains, and hourly trains during non-peak hours.
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AmtrakMaineiac said:
South Shore double track opens


This includes the new double track segment that replaces street running in Michigan City, the last interurban style street operation left in the US

Full rail service over the entire line is slated to resume in spring 2024.
Click to expand...
The South Shore still runs through the streets of Michigan city. The difference is now there are two tracks running through the streets!
 
turtlypo said:
I'm typing away aboard the SSL right now. You can see the road lane they reduced to make way for double track, as well as the new short wall to separate "street" running. Track on ballast too.

View attachment 36438
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Your picture shows a transformer on a pole connected to some off picture invisible wire. So, at least some of the electrification is already using 60 hZ. How many conversion stations to 1500V DC are on this rebuilding?
 

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