As my wife is a Domer, every now and then, I spend a little time at Notre Dame University, in South Bend, Indiana--more so in the fall of the year . . . .
On the north side of the Campus has got to be one of the shortest shortline operations in the world. There are about 10 100-ton gondolas and a motorized crane. I have not seen the operation in practice, but it appears as though the crane loads coal onto the coal cars about 250 feet from the University Power Plant, then hauls the cars over the rail crossing and to be unloaded.
The joke of it all is, the rail line is isolated from the rest of the rail system, as the line is covered by tress just south of Saint Mary's and the coal is trucked in and unloaded into a pile about 250 feet from the power station.
Any ideal why they do it this way? Given what we know about short hauls, is this really the most efficient way to do things? Notre Dame has more money than it knows what to do with, so it probably doesn't care if they are losing money.
Anyone know about when trains actually used to serve the power station? Does anyone know if there is also a power station at Saint Mary's? I really find the spur to look pretty cool the way it comes accross the field just to the east of Saint Mary's. A train on it would be a cool sight.
I suppose I am a sentimental fool, but given the history of hauling trains into Notre Dame for football games--or new students at the beginning of each year--I think it would be pretty cool if the University rehabilitated the spur for that purpose. I think it would be good publicity and perhaps even a money maker to give freshman the option of taking the train to the University to be greeted by the president as was done in the days of old--to say nothing of football games in West Lafayette, Lancing, or Ann Arbor.
Given the history, the novelty, and a student network that is not hurting for cash, I could see how that could at least pay for itself while simultaneously adding something to the gravitas of the University.
Wake up the echoes . . . call to bring back the trains . . .
Gabe
Gabe:
FD-34960 over on the STB Website. carefully read the filings and decisions. In between whiffs of laughing gas remember that coal was originally delivered by rail and this is an old Wabash branch, 3.2 miles in length of which they are, for some reason, only using a small portion that you described.
Happy reading.
Gabe,
You've opened a wonderful can of worms with this question. The city has tried to remove that track without authority or compensating the owner with the tacit approval of NDU. Someone was trying to purchase the line with the hope of builiding other traffic. Read more about it here: (make sure you're sitting down)
http://indianarailroads.org/board/index.php?topic=288.0
mudchicken Gabe: FD-34960 over on the STB Website. carefully read the filings and decisions. In between whiffs of laughing gas remember that coal was originally delivered by rail and this is an old Wabash branch, 3.2 miles in length of which they are, for some reason, only using a small portion that you described. Happy reading.
No, the railroad line that connected the Notre Dame & Western to the outside world was never part of the Wabash. It was formerly part of the Michigan Central line that ran from Niles, MI, to the southwest side of South Bend. In later years it was operated by the NYC, PC, and Conrail. When NS took it over it forced ND to switch to coal transloaded from the former NJI&I Olive Yard then trucked to campus. The NJI&I was later purchased by the Wabash.
It became a moot point when ND switched to natural gas as its primary fuel for the power plant.
See this thread for details.
https://indianarailroads.org/board/index.php?topic=288.0
Photos of the ND&W and the former Conrail line on South Bend's west and southwest sides before the tracks were taken up are viewable here.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/39092860@N06/albums/72157657380349710
Tom Burke
Here is a linked story from2010(+-)
@http://cs.trains.com/trn/f/111/p/170706/1873898.aspx?page=3
The Thread delt with Colleges and Universities that either had railroads on their campus' or adjacent.
The Uof ND's line is mentioned... It was a line that wound through residential, and light commercial areas for a couple of miles to deliver coal to the campus steam (and power plant?). The City of South Bend was wanting it gone, due to the residential area on the West side of town.
https://archive.org/stream/MN42054ucmf_2#page/n189/mode/2up
http://www.monon.monon.org/rr/ndwrr.html
The line has not been used for several years. Don't know where the gondolas came from, but when Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum was given the only locomotive, the only things left were an inoperable crane and a couple of coal cars. When we picked up the Baldwin center cab, we were told that it had not been used for several years. Mice had eaten wires in the controls and the museum still has not been able to get it in servicable condition. It is true that an effort was made to reopen the line, the person was enterested in running several of the old orange South Shore cars from the airport to Norte Dame as a commuter service. At the time, the MC connecting track to the ex NYC main line was still in, but South Bend had taken out the tracks at most of the road crossings and really fought to keep that service from starting up. They did not want the expense of replacing the crossings.
Many years ago, maybe 50 now the South Shore eneded at or near Notre Dame. Then it was cut back to the west side of town next to the Amtrak station by Bendix Corp.. Then it was extended a mile or so to end at the airport which is its terminus today. I suspect if there was demand it could find a way to get there. I rode the South SHore one Saturday morning probably 30-35 years ago. There was my wife, son and me and one guy who started hoofing it toward Notre Dame for the game. Don't think public transport will ever be acceptable as a solution.
South Shore cut back its South Bend terminal to Bendix Drive around 1970 or so to eliminate a mile-plus of street running that was in need of some heavy repair. The city had also been pushing for the abandonment for some time. The original terminal was 1-2 miles south of the Notre Dame campus. At any rate, traffic for football games probably all but disappeared after 1956 when the Toll Road was opened.
I recall the old Notre Dame fight song, you all know the music:
Cheer, cheer for old Notre Dame
You're gonna win cause we are insane!
Stomp their faces in the mud
Kick out their teeth and draw some blood!
Jump on their bodies, break all their bones
we wanna hear some screams and some moans
If you follow our advice
We'll win a clean victory!
From Mad magazine, I think. The closest I ever came to Notre Dame was buying a car with the college decal in the back window. ND alumni used to honk and wave.
“Knute Rockne standing outside rear of train car, flanked by Mr. Cariedo and Mr. Conley, members of the Notre Dame football team, before departing to California”
“Group portrait of cast members of 'The Spirit of Notre Dame,' as they prepare to board a train to Hollywood, Chicago, Illinois, 1930. Pictured are, from left, Paul O'Connor, former fullback, Arthur McMannon, ex-tackle, Adam Walsh, captain of the famous 1924 'Four Horsemen' team, Mrs. Knute Rockne, who will help direct the film, Alonzo Stagg, University of Chicago coach, John Law, 1929 captain, Bill Rockne, son of the coach, and Don MIller & Jim Crowley, two of the 'Four Horsemen.' Knute Rockne's untimely death prevented his appearance in the picture.”
“Aerial view of Yankee Stadium during the Army Black Knights game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Yankee Stadium on October 29, 1938 in the Bronx, New York.”
54light15I recall the old Notre Dame fight song, you all know the music: Cheer, cheer for old Notre Dame You're gonna win cause we are insane! Stomp their faces in the mud Kick out their teeth and draw some blood! Jump on their bodies, break all their bones we wanna hear some screams and some moans If you follow our advice We'll win a clean victory! From Mad magazine, I think. The closest I ever came to Notre Dame was buying a car with the college decal in the back window. ND alumni used to honk and wave.
Attended a Notre Dame football game at South Bend in 1960 with my family
Final - Purdue 51 Notre Dame 19
Ended up attending Purdue for a year and a half - 1964-66 - my mind was not cut out for higher level mathmatics.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Excerpt from Chicago Tribune, Feb. 24, 1985
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1985-02-24/entertainment/8501110164_1_santa-fe-industries-architects-daniel-h-burnham
The Railway Exchange Building at 224 S. Michigan Ave. used to be a prime example of how old-time Chicago architects became rich. Today, it stands as a model of how skilled contemporary architects can modernize a huge office building without ruining its original character. Daniel H. Burnham & Co. designed the Railway Exchange, completed in 1904. The “make no little plans” man himself promptly moved into a studio on an upper floor and began turning out master plans for San Francisco and Manila. Two years later, he began work on the famous Plan of Chicago. It is hardly farfetched to assume that Burnham`s dreams about a Europeanized Michigan Avenue and downtown lakefront were partly inspired by the fact that he could see little else from his office windows all day…
The Railway Exchange was originally built to house the offices of many rail companies, but the Santa Fe eventually became its chief tenant and owner. Its big-windowed main floor ticket office, decorated with large murals of pueblos and other Indian scenes, was long a familiar sight to Michigan Avenue pedestrians. As the railroad diversified its holdings and became Santa Fe Industries Inc., its officers began thinking about the future of their corporate headquarters. After studying options including a move to the suburbs, they eventually decided to rehabilitate the 17-story building in which they were already based. A 25 percent federal tax credit was available because the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
https://mendoza.nd.edu/ideas-news/news/notre-dame-buys-out-partner-in-michigan-avenue-building/
http://kd5urs.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3696080
http://kd5urs.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=3695442
Expressman's KidBaltACD: I saw Notre Dame return the favor in 1966. The student body chanted “Good-by Griese, Good-by!” They were glad to see the last of Purdue’s great quarterback who had given ND fits. ND won, but I don’t remember the score. But I do remember those Purdue Golden Girls! Ah, fond memories, except for those two mile walks.
Was a student at Purdue for 3 semesters in 1964-65. Got to watch Griese work his magic from my seat in Ross-Ade Stadium. Even went down to Bloomington to watch the IU-Purdue game in 1965.
Subsequently went on to Vincennes University to restore my self confidence that was shaken by my Purdue experiences. Graduated from Kent State in the tumultous year of 1970.
http://news.nd.edu/news/former-notre-dame-coach-ara-parseghian-dies-at-age-94/
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