What railroad in NW Indiana was this that is now the Portage Bike trail

[CandOforprogress2]

http://www.traillink.com/trail/prairie-duneland-trail.aspx

[Electroliner 1935]

My first guess without consulting the Steam Powered Atlas is former Michigan Central that ran to Kennsington where their passenger trains used the IC to reach Central Station.

[n012944]

EJ&E Porter branch.

[schlimm]

n012944

EJ&E Porter branch.

 

That nails it.

[Electroliner 1935]

Yes. MC line went through East Gary. EJ&E Porter branch is the one.

[Blackhawk NRHS]

The EJ&E's Porter Line (not branch line) was first completed from Griffith to McCool in 1889 to make connections with the New York, Chicago &St. Louis Railroad and the Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad at Hobart and with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at McCool. It was extended east from McCool to Porter in 1899 to make connections with the Wabash Railroad at Crocker and the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad at Porter. The EJ&E abandoned the Porter Line in 1985.

[CandOforprogress2]

So having rode the Porter Line by bike it seems to serve a denser population belt then does the South Shore. It also seems that many of the SS park and riders drive up from here anyway. So building a southern belt on the Porter railbanked right of way might make some sence.

 

[MidlandMike]

Did EJ&E also connect with PM/C&O at Porter?

[Electroliner 1935]

CandOforprogress2

So building a southern belt on the Porter railbanked right of way might make some sense.

But it runs the wrong way. From Porter to Hobart. At Hobart, where do you go? If the destination is Chicago you would have to rebuild the former PRR row to Tolleston where one could access the NS (former WAB) or some other route to Chicago. Or you could access the NS (former NKP). These all presume that the NS is willing to accept your trains and that there was sufficient dollars to make them want to participate in the project.

[Buslist]

CandOforprogress2

So having rode the Porter Line by bike it seems to serve a denser population belt then does the South Shore. It also seems that many of the SS park and riders drive up from here anyway. So building a southern belt on the Porter railbanked right of way might make some sence.

 

 

 

For a Green Field approach it might make but to replace/compete with an already existing/successful commuter route makes no sence at all.