Norfolk and Southern in Chicago

[Anonymous]

Hey peeps. Is there anywhere in Chicago that is safe and within walking distance from a bus stop or a Metra station that the Norfolk Southern runs frequent freight? I am really interested about the ex-NYC line close to the lake shore.

[Anonymous]

The best that I can suggest is the Whiting area, just east of the state line. I think you cn take the South Shore to Hammond and get a city bus that goes to Whiting. Or you can just take Amtrak to the Hammond-Whiting Station by Phil Smidt's Restaurant. You may be able to find a Horseshoe Casino bus tha would take you to the Casino which is just across the tracks there.
Mitch

[Anonymous]

(OOPs, the above post was made just while I typed this - I guess you have two of us from there around here.)

I don't know about the bus station aspect but you could go to Whiting, Indiana.

Next to Whiahala Beach the old NYC line runs right next to the lakeshore. Paralleling this line is the EJ&E and the IHB. You can also see the remains of the once-paralelling
Pennsy.

Stay away from Indiana Harbor, though. Very Dicey.

[CShaveRR]

Can you take Amtrak from Chicago to the Whiting station? I don't have a timetable handy, but I seem to remember that eastbound trains only stop to pick up passengers and westbounds to drop 'em off, with no passengers handled locally.

I'd suggest the South Shore as far east as Ogden Dunes, but only on a nice day.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

I'm not sure how heavy the traffic is, but the former Nickel Plate line is very easily reached by taking the South Shore Line (NICTD) to Hegewisch. The two lines parallel each other from about 131st Street to the state line. The South Shore does not honor Metra tickets, though.