Service Advisory: Temporary Overnight Busing, Hegewisch-East Chicago Oct. 3-4, 2025
As part of its ongoing commitment to safety, the South Shore Line announces it will host a multi-team emergency preparedness drill on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, between Tulip Road and Smilax Road in New Carlisle, Ind.
The federally mandated drill is a key component in the SSL’s continuing efforts to familiarize first responders with railroad crisis response procedures. It is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. ET and last through approximately 8 p.m. ET on Oct. 1.
The event will cause scheduled train services to reduce speeds while moving through the drill area. Train passengers and passersby may notice multiple emergency vehicles and personnel in the area of the drill.
The drill is to be located on the SSL mainline Track 2 that runs between Smilax Road and Tulip Road. Flaggers will be present to maintain the safety of all drill participants and the motoring public.
The crisis scenario involves an active shooter who causes the collision of a passenger train with a freight train, potentially carrying hazardous material, and will be performed in conjunction with the following agencies and organizations: the Federal Railroad Administration; New Carlisle Fire Department; Saint Joseph County Fire Territory; New Carlisle Police Department; Kankakee Township Fire Department; Saint Joseph Dispatch Center; Laporte County Dispatch Center; Laporte County EMS; NICTD Transit Police; Chicago South Shore Railroad; and others.
Please note: This drill is an internal exercise and will not be open to the public or media.
Service Advisory: Emergency Preparedness Drill Oct. 1, 2025
In order to accommodate system testing related to the West Lake Corridor Project, the South Shore Line will provide temporary busing substitution for late evening/overnight train passengers overnight Friday, Oct. 3, and overnight Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025.
The temporary bus bridge will be in place for all train passengers between 8 p.m. – 3 a.m., between Hegewisch, Hammond Gateway, and East Chicago. No bikes will be permitted on buses.
FRIDAY, OCT. 3, 2025, 8 p.m.-3 a.m.:
· Weekday EB Tr Tr 33, Tr 133, Tr 35 & Tr 101/601 passengers bused between Hegewisch, Hammond Gateway, and East Chicago.
· Weekday WB Tr 32 passengers bused between East Chicago, Hammond Gateway, and Hegewisch.
SATURDAY, OCT. 4, 2025, 8 p.m.-3 a.m.:
· Weekend EB Tr 513, Tr 515, Tr 517, & Tr 601 passengers bused between Hegewisch, Hammond Gateway, and East Chicago.
· Weekend WB Tr 512 passengers bused between East Chicago, Hammond Gateway, and Hegewisch.
Buses will arrive and depart with passengers to match the SSL published train schedule between Hegewisch and East Chicago.
EASTBOUND: Passengers on eastbound trains will disembark at Hegewisch to board buses for East Chicago, and board SSL trains again at East Chicago to continue their eastbound trips. EB Hammond Gateway passengers will be transported via bus from Hegewisch to Hammond Gateway.
WESTBOUND: Passengers on westbound trains will disembark at East Chicago to board buses for Hegewisch, and board SSL trains again at Hegewisch to continue their westbound trips. WB Hammond Gateway passengers will board buses near the train platform from Hammond Gateway to Hegewisch.