EXTENDED: SSL service suspension- Continues Through Friday, February 1, 2019
Service on the South Shore Line will continue to be suspended through Friday, Feb. 1, 2019. Metra requires additional time to address the damage to the Metra Electric District from a CN freight train derailment and the adverse impacts from the extremely cold weather. The following information is taken from a press release issued by Metra on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 31, 2019, for its Metra Electric service:
CHICAGO (Jan. 31, 2019) – Metra is canceling service on its Metra Electric Line Friday due to damage to the line’s overhead power system caused by a freight train derailment Wednesday night.
A CN freight train derailed Wednesday night near the Metra Harvey Station on CN tracks that run parallel to the Metra Electric Line. The derailment damaged the structures supporting the wires that provide power to the line as well as two electrical substations that supply power to that section of track.
This is in addition to the damage caused to the overhead wires at multiple points along the line Wednesday by the severe cold. Repairs to that damage continued Thursday.
We are hoping to be able to restore service on Saturday, Feb. 2, between Millennium Station and Michigan City Carroll Ave. However, Saturday service is not a certainty at this time. Metra advises that information about weekend service will be announced Friday.
SSL test trains will operate on Friday, Feb. 1 to assess track and wire conditions. These trains will not carry passengers.
If service is allowed to resume on Feb. 2, the SSL will provide substitute bus service between South Bend and Michigan City Carroll Ave. until further notice, due to overhead wire damage caused by a NIPSCO power line break.
Service is suspended to and from Hudson Lake while substitute bus service is in effect. We encourage Hudson Lake passengers to board at Carroll Ave. Station for train service.
Buses will arrive and depart with passengers to match our published train schedules between Carroll Ave. and South Bend. Westbound passengers should be prepared to board buses immediately north of the South Shore platform at the South Bend International Airport and re-board South Shore trains at Carroll Ave. Eastbound passengers will detrain at Carroll Ave. to board buses for the remainder of their trips.
The following trains will be impacted by busing beginning Feb. 2:
• Saturday, Sunday:
o WB Trains 502, 504, 506, 508 and 510
o EB Trains 503, 505, 507, 509 and 511
o The following trains will be canceled: EB Trains 701 & 703
• Monday, Tuesday:
o WB Trains 6, 14, 18, 20, and 22
o EB Trains 7, 9, 11, 17, and 19
o The following trains will be canceled: WB Trains 422 & 424 and EB Trains 401 & 403.
Any disruptions in service will be promptly posted the homepage at www.mysouthshoreline.com, South Shore Line Facebook and Twitter pages, the mobile app, and via email notifications.