Train-Watching
Hot spot: Northwestern Indiana, or just east of Chicago
LOCATION: Running north-south along the entire state of Indiana, U.S. Route 421 offers a unique opportunity for railfans. Our journey will begin in Michigan City and cover 27 miles south to the town of La Crosse. In this short distance there are nine rail lines that cross Route 421. Getting a train on each line in one day would be a great feat!
TRAIN-WATCHING There are photo opportunities all along the route. Starting in Michigan City, one can choose between the Amtrak Michigan Line, South Shore street running, and CSX’s former Pere Marquette route. Norfolk Southern offers local service over the Amtrak line. In the coming months, visitors can see the new double-track project develop along 11th Street.
Just 8 miles south, you can stop in Otis and take in the 60 trains a day on the Norfolk Southern Chicago Line. You can follow West Snyder Road both east and west of 421 to capture some impressive locations. There are all types of freight trains along this busy main, and you can see runthrough power on many trains.
The next stop is Westville. A little south of town you will cross the CSX and Canadian National main lines. Both are busy with all types of trains and even offer some with distributed power. If you turn west when traveling south on to West Alida Road and follow a short distance to its end, there are great locations for both east and westbound trains.
Farther south are Wanatah, crossing of the Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern, and South
Wanatah, crossing of the NS ex-Nickel Plate Road route. The CF&E is the exPennsy line of fame, now single track. The railroad will pass underneath you as the journey continues south. There are some old color-position signals along this line. This line has several trains but traffic is hit or miss. About a mile out of town, you will cross the NS single-track main. If you turn right after crossing the track onto road West 1400 South you can see an old silo and both east and westbound signals for the siding.
The Chesapeake & Indiana Railroad uses ex-Pere Marquette and Chesapeake & Ohio trackage, interchanging with CSX in Union Mills. Its route is an inverted “T” shape, reaching Malden and North Judson.
RADIO FREQUENCIES
Amtrak, 161.505; Chesapeake & Indiana, 161.070; Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern, 160.800; CN Chicago Sub, 160.530 and 160.590; CSX Pere Marquette Sub 160.230; CSX Garrett Sub, 160.320; NS Chicago District, 160.275; NS Chicago Line, 160.620; Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District and South Shore Freight, 161.355.
WHAT’S MORE
If you like being outdoors, Indiana Dunes National Park and its Lake Michigan access are minutes west of Michigan City along U.S. Route 20.
At the route’s south end, the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum is a short drive east of U.S. 421 in North Judson. There you will find a pair of EMD BL2 diesel locomotives being refurbished for excursions and a mix of equipment on display, including former Chesapeake & Ohio 2-8-4 No. 2789. The museum operates on former Erie Lackawanna track that would have crossed U.S. 421 in the past. —