Power Is Back on South Shore Line

South Shore Line Sign by Thomas.Merton.

Power was restored to the South Shore Line late yesterday, after a passing train damaged nearly a mile of wire between the Dune Park and Michigan City stations on Saturday. Metra said riders were experiencing 45-to-60 minute delays while borrowed diesel powered locomotives were used to pull the trains through the unpowered area.

The line typically transports 5,000 riders on a weekend day, but during the Taste of the 4th of July weekend, that number is doubled to 10,000.

The railroad is in the early stages of a wire replacement program, which will upgrade the electrical lines, some of which have been in place since the 1920s. [WBBM]