Our next program…
South Shore in the ’70s- The Little Train That Did
By the 1970s, South Shore Line was the last interurban left in the country. Owner Chessie had petitioned for abandonment, and the rolling stock was really showing its age. Yet somehow it survived, thanks in large part to those classic railcars. In retrospect, the “Little Train That Could” was surely the little train that did. Come join us for what promises to be a fun evening, as we watch films of the South Shore in this era, taken by Daniel Morris and Bill Reynolds. We will also see the classic documentary “Passengers Use Light at Night.”
Friday, November 22, 2013
1900 hrs / 7:00pm
University Center
525 South State Street
Chicago, IL
Admission is free for current CERA members. There will be a $5.00 Admission charge for non-members. Please note that the fourth Friday in November falls the week before Thanksgiving this year. In most years, our program would take place the day after Thanksgiving, but not this year!
To whet your appetite for the program, we present a generous selection of South Shore views from the 1960s to the early 1980s.
#34 in Michigan City in September 1969. (Photographer Unknown)
Cars 7 and 212 in west South Bend on May 24, 1963. (Photographer Unknown)
A two-car train at South Bend station in February 1969. In September 1970, the line was cut back to Bendix at the outskirts of town, but it has since been extended to the South Bend airport. (Photographer Unknown)
#102 at South Bend in December 1962. (Photographer Unknown)
Baggage car 504 at Michigan City in June 1967. According to Don’s Rail Photos, it was “built by St. Louis Car in 1926 as Indiana Service Corp 377.” It was purchased by the South Shore in 1941 from the Indiana Railroad. (Photographer Unknown)
#22 heads up a four-car train in Michigan City in September 1969. (Photographer Unknown)
This may be the downtown South Bend station interior, April 1970. (Photographer Unknown)
South Shore cars 26 and 102 in Michigan City, October 1975. A CTA 4000-series “L” car is barely visible at left, on its way to a railway museum. (Photographer Unknown)
The stock room at the shops in January 1970. (Photographer Unknown)
The Gary station in June 1969. (Photographer Unknown)
The waiting room at the East Chicago station in January 1970. (Photographer Unknown)
Signage at the old Randolph St. station. The neon at left is now at the Illinois Railway Museum. (Photographer Unknown)
Combine 102 at Randolph Street in July 1971. (Photographer Unknown)
Don’s Rail Photos says, “110 was built by Standard in 1929 as coach 10. It was rebuilt into 110 in 1951.” Here we see it on September 1, 1973. (Photographer Unknown)
#203 (built by Pullman in 1927) in July 1976. (Photographer Unknown)
#23 on a fantrip in July 1971. (Photographer Unknown)
According to Don’s Rail Photos: “104 was builtt by Pullman in 1926. It was lengthened in 1943. Air conditioning and picture windows came in 1950.” Here we see the car in June 1975. (Photographer Unknown)
Loco 702 in June 1976. (Photographer Unknown)
Car 106 meets Little Joe 803 in September 1980. (Photographer Unknown)
The shops in March 1970. (Photographer Unknown)
A “Little Joe” at the shops in September 1973. (Photographer Unknown)
At the south end of the Randolph St. station in 1970. (Photographer Unknown)
Combine 1010 heads up a train in July 1971. This is the present area of Millenium Park. (Photographer Unknown)
Car #1 in September 1976. (Photographer Unknown)
A fantrip in May 1975. (Photographer Unknown)
At the shops in June 1971. (Photographer Unknown)
A two-car train led up by combine #100 in September 1976. (Photographer Unknown)
#39 at speed on December 27, 1978. (Photographer Unknown)
The Michigan City Shops in February 1971. (Photographer Unknown)
The caption reads, “Lance and Carol in snow-covered train, South Bend Yards, February 1969.” (Photographer Unknown)
#104 at Michigan City on July 5, 1971. (Photo by Douglas N. Grotjahn)
Michigan City street running in January 1970. (Photographer Unknown)
#102 at the Michigan City station in June 1967. (Photographer Unknown)
A twilight view of the single-rack right-of-way on January 3, 1978. (Photographer Unknown)
