South Shore Electric Freight

[081552]

When did the South Shore stop running electric freight service? Was this with Little Joes or did it include the old NYC units?

 

Thanks! 

[erikem]

IIRC, the old NYC units were retired in the early 70's and the last class 800 (AKA Little Joes) was retired about 1980. Recall that parts were getting hard to find.

Current IGBT technology would allow the inverters for AC traction motors to run directly off the 1500V trolley potential - and with GE working on battery technology for hybrid locomtives (so you don't need to electrify the industrial spurs) - it wouldn't be too much of stretch to imagine new electrics for the South Shore. Doubt that it would be economically feasible. 

[PBenham]

Without the steel traffic that kept the South Shore alive, the numbers wouldn't work for electrified freight. BUT-- you never know.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

Without the steel traffic that kept the South Shore alive, the numbers wouldn't work for electrified freight. BUT-- you never know.

From about 1966 onward, there was also a fair amount of coal traffic, mostly unit trains to various NIPSCO power plants.  Ironically, the coal traffic led to the eventual dieselization of South Shore's freight business.  The existing electrical system could not support the power demands of moving 10,000 tons of coal in one train, so South Shore had to shuttle the trains in two parts between Burnham and either Bailly or Michigan City.  Because of this limitation, South Shore leased switchers (at first) and GP7's from C&O to move the coal.

[arkansasrailfan]

Look in one of issues of Railfan and Railroad mag from about 1981, it talks about the end for the Little Joes.