Passenger Trains > First day of service on new South Shore Line branch in Indiana

Today is the beginning of revenue service on the new electrified South Shore Line branch to Munster/Dyer, Indiana, called the Monon Corridor, as it operates on the former right-of-way of the Monon Railroad.  The 9-mile line is also known as the West Lake Corridor.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/31/26 07:26 by LTCerny.

Vert  Good!! Now  if  METRA  wen to  Kankakee!!

One of those good news out of bad news situations.  The original plan was to have the ribbon cutting in a tent then have all the VIPs on a special train running south through banners at each station. The special train was to be followed by the first revenue train at 11:45am.

There was a severe thunderstorm warning that came at the wrong time delaying the ceremony. The first revenue train ended up carrying the governor and other VIPs along with hundreds of regular people who showed up for the first run. I was in the second car back (the first held the governor, media and many VIPs) as we traveled south togther. A few fans spent the rest of the day riding back and forth to check out each of the three new stations (four counting the platform at Hammond Gateway).

It is a well built line and a smooth ride. 79 MPH MAS with the exception of elevated curves near each end. No grade crossings or connections to other railroads - all road grade crossings having quad gates and a quiet zone.

I know this may be a bit premature, but any plans/right of way capability for an extension further to the south?
Nice to see new transit opening up on an old corridor.
--j

jofegan Wrote:
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> I know this may be a bit premature, but any plans/right of way capability for an extension further to the south?
> Nice to see new transit opening up on an old corridor.

I'd call it a desire. The South Shore wants to go further south. But there are no firm plans to do so at this time. The original thought was to build the corridor south to Lowell and possibly have a branch off this branch running trains to Valparaiso. Due to the availability of the corridor through Hammond and Munster the plan was cut back to the current end of track on the city line between Munster and Dyer.

They will be building an additional station on this corridor in downtown Hammond. The mayor states that ground should be broken this month for the project. The additional station could not be rolled in to the initial project since the funding was based on the plan presented for funding approval. Minor adjustments were made that will support the downtown station, within the scope of funding but paid for by the City of Hammond.