[Robert Pence]

I just heard on NPR that the South Shore expects to board its four millionth passenger for 2006 sometime tomorrow (December 12). The last year that ridership exceeded four million was in 1957.

[micro]

There must be thousands of south shores on this planet, so I have no idea which place or country you are talking about :shrug:

[Justin10000]

The South Shore Interurban is amazing.

Does anyone have current pics of it? Especially the street-running sections?

[OhioGuy]

The South Shore is a decent rail line. I rode it last December going from downtown Chicago to South Bend where my family was waiting to pick me up. I wished it could have gone a little faster though. The train goes incredibly slow through the streets of one of the towns it passes through (was it Michigan City?) which I found frustrating because I just wanted to get moving to my final destination. It would be nice if the rail line had its own ROW for speedier travel.

[VivaLFuego]

The South Shore is a decent rail line. I rode it last December going from downtown Chicago to South Bend where my family was waiting to pick me up. I wished it could have gone a little faster though. The train goes incredibly slow through the streets of one of the towns it passes through (was it Michigan City?) which I found frustrating because I just wanted to get moving to my final destination. It would be nice if the rail line had its own ROW for speedier travel.

I know there has been continuous talk, for decades, of relocating the street-running portion to allow a faster and safer route. Not sure of the status of this.

Did it feel like the line's speed was still limited to 55mph in the vast stretches of the lines eastern end? That would seem to be a ripe spot to go higher-speed, maybe 70 or 80mph.

I've heard South Shore has some more rail cars on order so they can increase capacity, rush hour trains are packed and standing room only, which is great to see but not pleasant for a commuter train. Not sure of the delivery timeline or the exact quantity of cars they're ordering.

[OhioGuy]

Did it feel like the line's speed was still limited to 55mph in the vast stretches of the lines eastern end? That would seem to be a ripe spot to go higher-speed, maybe 70 or 80mph.

I don't recall it moving particularly fast along it's eastern stretch. What I most remember is the trains slow crawl through Michigan City and also into South Bend. Here area a few photos of the train going down the middle of the street in Michigan City... obviously this type of route forces to train to move extremely slowly through the area.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b5/Southshoremichigancity.jpg/800px-Southshoremichigancity.jpg

http://web.presby.edu/~jtbell/transit/images/Chicago/SouthShore/11thStreet.jpg

http://web.presby.edu/~jtbell/transit/images/Chicago/SouthShore/11thStreetStation.jpg

[STLgasm]

Those trains look older than shit! I love 'em.

[nick_taylor]

Christ, street-running heavy rail - is that a sick joke?

[Justin10000]

This line is very old. It dates back to the old days when passenger rail line ran through neighbourhoods, and town.

[VivaLFuego]

So it's probably limited to 25mph in those stretches? Or even slower? I'm pretty sure CTA, and the Metra Electric South Chicago branch are limited to about 35 for it's at-grade portions, but those are just with frequent evel crossings albeit on a 'seperate' ROW, not actually smack in the middle of a street like a street car.

Those cars aren't so old, I think from the early 1980s....they're still in good shape, ride very nice, A/C propulsion, etc. Not very quick though. They're just dirty in that picture. When delivered, they replaced the South Shore's fleet from the 1920s.

http://www.monon.monon.org/sobendpixs2/southshore.jpg

nick_t, that's classic interurban streetcar: heavy rail for the stretches between towns, but still street running to function like a streetcar withiin those cities. By some measures this is the only one left in the U.S. (there used to be thousands of miles worth), but some also consider Philly's Route 100 to be one as well.

[STR]

Those trains look older than shit! I love 'em.

Older than shit? How long do you wait before you flush?

[Via Chicago]

perhaps a little OT, but I love the posters that were used back in the day to promote the SSL. i've been meaning to buy some reproductions for a while

http://www.southshoreart.com/images/big/moonlight.jpg

http://www.southshoreart.com/images/big/autumn.jpg

http://www.southshoreart.com/images/big/homewardbound.jpg

http://www.southshoreart.com/images/big/visit.jpg

[micro]

Those trains look older than shit! I love 'em.
I like that "real" train running on the streets.

[fangorangutang]

Just an idea, but how about putting the double decker Metra rolling stock on the South Shore line to increase capacity?

[Jeff_in_Dayton]

I have that Moonlight in Duneland poster framed and up on the wall in a hallway in my house.

Also, that old orange car posted upthread was a rebuild. Note the rectangular picture windows...these as well as air conditionining and modern lighting and some interior work was put in during a rebuild sometime after WWII. Also, I think they actually lengthend these cars as part of that project (dont quote me on that though).

There where even older cars on the line that they used mostly for rush hour traffic, I think, or for local service from Chicago to Gary and Michigan City. The rebuilt cars where run all the way through to South Bend, though.

I remember riding both styles of the old cars, as well as the old Michigan City terminal, which had a bus shed in the back as the SS ran motocoaches up to the Michigan beaches and New Buffalo back in the 1920s.

[Robert Pence]

There's a beautiful book titled Moonlight in Duneland that features excellent reproductions of South Shore advertising art.

You can find a bunch more South Shore photos and links to info here (http://robertpence.com/south_shore.html).

Prior to Urban Renewal in the 1970s, the South Shore station in South Bend was at the LaSalle Hotel, and the train ran in the street to get there.

There's been significant track work on the line between Michigan City and South Bend, and the last time I rode (October 2006), open-country running speeds were pretty good. The long slog from Bendix to the airport station, at grade level on separate ROW with street crossings, is a time-killer though.

The cars are pretty smooth on acceleration and quiet on good track, so they seem slower than they are. I've seen the speed indicator hover around 90mph eastbound in the vicinity of milepost 37, west of Michigan City late at night. It was a smooth, stable ride at that speed.

They've added a lot of double track west of Dune Park and put up a second bridge at Gary to eliminate the gauntlet track that was the site of a multiple-fatality near-head-on collision in the early 1990s.

[atlantaguy]

Jeff in Dayton & rob 1412 - I think from his post Via Chicago probably already knows about this store, but you guys should check out www.posterplus.com for an incredible array of old railroad posters, notecards, Chicago-centric historical books & photos, etc.

The South Shore & North Shore notecards are beautiful and suitable for framing. The large posters are high quality - I have one of the New York Central Building matted and framed in my living room.

Not an ad here - just a plug for a really cool operation. I would love to explore their 3 story store across from the Art Institute of Chicago on a future trip.

[Hysteria]

It's too bad the trains don't come downtown anymore. IMO, it would help promote tourism.

My favorite holiday SS poster:

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/6760/copydn2.jpg

[Robert Pence]

Jeff in Dayton & rob 1412 - I think from his post Via Chicago probably already knows about this store, but you guys should check out www.posterplus.com for an incredible array of old railroad posters, notecards, Chicago-centric historical books & photos, etc.

I've shopped often at that store; it's a regular stop to replenish my supply of note cards when I'm in town.

It's too bad the trains don't come downtown anymore. IMO, it would help promote tourism.

I'd like to see that, too. I can visualize the trains running downtown alongside the former NYC tracks past Union Station, and into the downtown transit center, with covenient dedicated bus shuttles for special events. On game days, they could stop at the ballpark.

[Hysteria]

I'd like to see that, too. I can visualize the trains running downtown alongside the former NYC tracks past Union Station, and into the downtown transit center, with covenient dedicated bus shuttles for special events. On game days, they could stop at the ballpark.

Agreed - especially with the TRANSPO trolley circling downtown.

[VivaLFuego]

^How far is the South Bend station from the various stuff in South Bend? (downtown, Notre Dame, etc.) I've never ridden it out that far.

[Hysteria]

^How far is the South Bend station from the various stuff in South Bend? (downtown, Notre Dame, etc.) I've never ridden it out that far.

It's less than 5 miles from the airport to Notre Dame or downtown. I would advise skipping the typical Lincoln Way West route from the airport to either location - take the US 31 by-pass (North) to the Indiana Toll Road (East) and exit at the Notre Dame ramp heading south. Lincoln Way West is not easy on the eyes. It's probably the most ghetto-like of all of the city's main corridors. When the president or other officials come to town (which has been rather frequent lately) they always take the Indiana Toll Road route.

If the SS did return to the downtown area, that would put visitors in walking distance to the College Football Hall of Fame, Century Center, and the largest hotels Northern Indiana. These hotels also have limo service to the University. The brand new Studebaker Museum (http://www.studebakermuseum.org/) is a short cab ride away.

Let's see the train downtown again - I can't wait to see it from my office window!

Bring it!

[Jeff_in_Dayton]

The Airport location is a lot better than that cinderblock office they used as the end of the line after they ended street running in South Bend..it was this neighborhood at the west end of town, nothing much around it.

I am going to have to make a return trip to SB to check out that Studebaker Museum. I was there a few years ago to see the old museum (and ride the SS to Chicago), so am interested to see whats up.

I really like the South Bend area. Probably one of the more underrated smaller cities in the Midwest.

[Hysteria]

The Airport location is a lot better than that cinderblock office they used as the end of the line after they ended street running in South Bend..it was this neighborhood at the west end of town, nothing much around it.

I am going to have to make a return trip to SB to check out that Studebaker Museum. I was there a few years ago to see the old museum (and ride the SS to Chicago), so am interested to see whats up.

I really like the South Bend area. Probably one of the more underrated smaller cities in the Midwest.


Yes, Jeff, the airport location is MUCH better than the previous location which was/is still NOT safe to park your car overnight (let alone get out of your car at night).

If you do come to SB to check out the new Studebaker Museum, be sure to visit the adjacent Northern Indiana Center for History (http://www.centerforhistory.org/cops.html) to at least visit the J.D. Oliver mansion, and also the Polish worker's home (http://www.centerforhistory.org/workers_home.html) to connect with the blue collar worker side of this once mighty city of heavy industry.

If you plan on spending the day, be sure to have lunch down the street at the former Clement Studebaker mansion, Tippecanoe Place (http://www.tippe.com/).

Have fun!

[Robert Pence]

For folks arriving in South Bend via South Shore, Transpo runs regular bus service between the airport and downtown. I don't know the schedules, but I'm sure you can find it online.

Forumers are usually pretty willing and enthusiastic walkers, and once you're downtown, just about all the places Hysteria mentioned are walkable from the Transpo facility.

Lovely 1920s South Shore trains at quaint, charming Randolph Street, 1980
http://robertpence.com/south_shore/03_randolph_1980.jpg

Disgusting trash-hole shared by South Shore and Amtrak prior to CSSB move to airport
http://robertpence.com/south_shore/26_bendix.jpg

http://robertpence.com/south_shore/27_bendix.jpg

South Shore platform at airport
http://robertpence.com/south_shore/78_south_bend_airpt.jpg

Bunch of South Bend photos here (shameless self-promotion):

http://robertpence.com/south_bend.html

http://robertpence.com/south_bend_p1.html

http://robertpence.com/sbend_10-03-05.html

[miketoronto]

Those old ads show why public transit has lost out so much.

Read some of the wording there, and they mention limited stop trains to the parks, etc.

I bet if our transit systems put routes like that back into service, people would use them.

[VivaLFuego]

Will there ever be the option of extending the SS from the airport terminal, or is that it? It looks pretty blocked in there (I'm just dreaming about South Bend maybe someday getting something resembling its own local rail transit that just happens to be an interurban linking it to Chicago. . .

[Robert Pence]

Those old ads show why public transit has lost out so much.

Read some of the wording there, and they mention limited stop trains to the parks, etc.

I bet if our transit systems put routes like that back into service, people would use them.

Mike, you can still get to the Indiana Dunes on South Shore trains. Across the tracks from the Dune Park station (major stop) there's a sign that marks the trail, and it's about a mile to the beach and dunes via the trail and then the park entrance road. There's also a large campground and miles of excellent trails.

[Via Chicago]

Mike, you can still get to the Indiana Dunes on South Shore trains. Across the tracks from the Dune Park station (major stop) there's a sign that marks the trail, and it's about a mile to the beach and dunes via the trail and then the park entrance road. There's also a large campground and miles of excellent trails.

Yup, the Dunes is one of my favorite retreats in the world. I've even done winter camping there in December/January. Theres nothing more tranquil than walking down miles of abandoned lakeshore in the winter just listening to the surf crash and the gulls.

[orulz]

Mike, you can still get to the Indiana Dunes on South Shore trains. Across the tracks from the Dune Park station (major stop) there's a sign that marks the trail, and it's about a mile to the beach and dunes via the trail and then the park entrance road.Did just this on Black Friday this year. Great day trip when the weather is nice. I wish there was a sidewalk or a shoulder or something along the park access road, though. Seems like the entrance roads are under serious construction right now, maybe they'll add one in.

A relative of mine attended the University of Chicago in the early 70s and he tells stories of getting on the train in Hyde Park and riding it to the dunes every chance he got.

[Hysteria]

Beverly Shores is my favorite spot in the Dunes National Park (has its own SS station too). I posted the following on another forum in a thread about traveling from Detroit to Chicago. Beverly Shores is on US 12, BTW. It's worth a visit.

Hysteria
Member
Username: Hysteria

Post Number: 1378
Registered: 02-2006
Posted on Thursday, September 21, 2006 - 9:23 am:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Beverly Shores is a failed 1920s suburban resort community built on the southern shore of Lake Michigan in the Indiana Dunes. It was planned as a rail-suburb of Chicago. It mainly now consists of large modern homes in the dunes and woods. A few of the buildings from the original resort still stand (see train station photo in my last post). There are about six homes from the World's Fair held in Chicago in the 1930s(?) that are still there, but they have not been maintained properly. A few of them serve as private residences.

From the Arcadia series 'Images of America':

Beverly Shores' planning and architectural history illustrate several major social movements of the past seven decades and how they shaped the built environment.

The plan of Beverly Shores and the development image created by its buildings are a significant example of the design affinity for Mediterranean Revival resort suburbs which spread outward from Florida in the 1920s. The town was shaped by a private developer to create an image attractive to the residents of South Chicago who were generally aware of the prestigious resorts in South Florida.

When the Depression virtually halted development within the original plan, its developers responded by drawing on the popularity of the Century of Progress World's Fair through the location of several of its structures to the resort. The World's Fair buildings are unique remnants of the Fair in themselves, and gain added interest from their role in Beverly Shores.

After the rather exclusive resort years of the 1930s, Beverly Shores reflected the thriving industrial development of the 1950s by becoming a balanced community of permanent and seasonal residents. Finally, the impact of the Federal acquisition of two-thirds of the town to create the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore graphically illustrates the growing sentiment agains the unchecked development of natural lands which grew in the 1960s and 1970s.

The town of Beverly Shores exists today as a tangible physical product of each of these succeeding currents in American planning, and architectural and social history.


Beverly Shores South Shore station:
http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/1469/bsyt3.jpg

[Chicago103]

I heard that the State of Indiana does a crappy job at funding the South Shore Line though. Its the only commuter rail service in Indiana isnt it?

[VivaLFuego]

I heard that the State of Indiana does a crappy job at funding the South Shore Line though. Its the only commuter rail service in Indiana isnt it?

I'm not sure if it's still the case, but at one point the RTA actually funded something like 18% of the South Shore's operations, despite the fact that the South Shore doesn't actually pick up any inbound passengers in Illinois other than at the Hegewish station.

[brian_b]

I heard that the State of Indiana does a crappy job at funding the South Shore Line though. Its the only commuter rail service in Indiana isnt it?


Yes, it is still poorly funded.

Check out this article, explaining how uncertain anything is
http://www.nwitimes.com/articles/2006/12/02/business/business/2be3787a7adf5b608625723700718476.txt
However, after this was published, they got the $17.5 million request approved (that's just one of their funding request).

Also, for those that use the South Shore out of South Bend, good news is in the pipeline... The FAA is supposed to finish an environmental impact study this month for a new western access line into the airport that would shave 12+ minutes off the travel time to/from Chicago. Once that comes back, they're going to try to get funds for it. It's good to hear that they're already well into the planning stages...

[brian_b]

One more thing. The planning for the two spur lines is moving along still. Cities along the proposed routes are falling over themselves to get this done too. It may take another 10 years, but I think it's going to happen. Once it does go into service, ridership records are going to be shattered.

Here are the proposed new routes, BTW
http://www.nictd-wlc.com/images/previous_study_alignments.pdf

[RockfordSoxFan]

How long is the ride from South Bend into Chicago right now? Twelve minutes seems like a substantial improvement. Kudos...

[brian_b]

How long is the ride from South Bend into Chicago right now? Twelve minutes seems like a substantial improvement. Kudos...

It's about 2.5 hours. Driving the same distance, with light traffic and no construction, takes about 1.75 hours, plus or minus half an hour.

However, in real life, you are probably going to make the drive during a time of the day in which there is fair to heavy traffic, plus the construction overload on the south side expressways we will be having for the next few years... It's fairly equal, maybe faster to take the train. Plus no stress.

I've read that a lot of people from Michigan are driving down to South Bend, parking, and taking the train the rest of the way into Chicago. That should indicate that it currently competes very well with driving.

[miketoronto]

Sounds like it could be faster though. Maybe they need limiteds from South Bend.

[Hysteria]

Sounds like it could be faster though. Maybe they need limiteds from South Bend.

Now that would be great!

[brian_b]

The system as a whole could use an upgrade on the shared tracks on the south side of Chicago. Right now the trains go for miles on separated-grade tracks at a very slow speed. I'm not sure if it's the fact that it's a "railyard" of sorts or if the tracks can't handle the speeds.

Anyway, I don't think they have the cars or tracks available to run the limiteds from South Bend all the way in.

[Robert Pence]

... It's fairly equal, maybe faster to take the train. Plus no stress.

... driving down to South Bend, parking, and taking the train the rest of the way into Chicago ...

No stress, and not having to pay for parking in Chicago!

I drive from Fort Wayne to South Bend and take the South Shore in to 59th Street (Hyde Park/U of Chicago). It actually takes me a little less time than driving, and it's much less tiring.

... limiteds ...There were limiteds to/from South Bend, back in the day. Currently there's not enough ridership from South Bend to justify them. That may change, and limited service, itself, would probably be an incentive for more South Bend ridership.

Only five of the eighteen weekday trips run all the way to South Bend, and those usually only have a handful of passengers east of Michigan City. Four trips terminate at Gary, and the rest terminate at Michigan City, where the shops & yards are.

On weekends and holidays there are eight trains from South Bend to Chicago, running every two hours.

Metra track on the south side of Chicago is probably the best track the South Shore runs on. South Shore trains run amid frequent Metra Electrics that make several station stops, and they can't interfere with Metra's schedules. When there are no conflicts, they can run pretty fast there.

Current South Shore schedules and info are at http://www.nictd.com/

[pdxstreetcar]

So if one was taking the South Shore to South Bend, the only station is at the airport on the outskirts?
What kind of connections are there between South Bend Airport Station and Downtown South Bend?

[Robert Pence]

So if one was taking the South Shore to South Bend, the only station is at the airport on the outskirts?
What kind of connections are there between South Bend Airport Station and Downtown South Bend?

Taxi, or Transpo (public transit buses)

http://www.sbtranspo.com/

Downtown transit center is within walking distance of most attractions and downtown is pretty compact. The Notre Dame campus is a little far to walk but can be reached by bus.

Northern Indiana History Center at Cophshaholm, the Oliver Mansion, is very good. The mansion was the residence of the Oliver farm machinery makers, later merged into White Industries. It was donated by the family complete with the furniture, the dishes in the cupboards and the clothes in the closets, and an endowment for maintenance. It's just a short distance from Tippecanoe Place, the former Studebaker mansion, now a nice restaurant.

[Jayayess1190]

I rode this line from Chicago to South Bend. I love it. :D :D :D

[Robert Pence]

... The FAA is supposed to finish an environmental impact study this month for a new western access line into the airport that would shave 12+ minutes off the travel time to/from Chicago. Once that comes back, they're going to try to get funds for it. It's good to hear that they're already well into the planning stages...

I went to the NICTD web site to see what I could find out about this. I found the following info in the September 2006 board minutes:
--------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.nictd.com/info/corporate/minutes/Sep292006.pdf

3. CONSTRUCTION AND FINANCE UPDATE

a. Proposed South Bend Realignment

Mr. Schalliol, Executive Director, the Michiana Airport spoke briefly about the airport’s planned expansion. Lincoln Way West is being relocated requiring a new interchange with the U.S. 31 Bypass. The South Shore terminal at the airport is being moved from the east side of the property to the west side.

It would be necessary to purchase 15 homes to relocate the train. The realignment will reduce the number of at-grade crossings near the airport from the current 23 to 3 crossings (maybe 4). This will aid in reducing travel time to Chicago by 10 minutes.

Mr. Schalliol mentioned that the NICTD ridership out of the airport has increased more than 23% year-to-date. Passengers come from southwestern Michigan and east of South Bend. Mr. Schalliol said the airport had its final public hearing for the expansion’s environmental assessment Wednesday, September 27, 2006. Approximately 200 people attended this meeting.

The new rail lines would be bermed, landscaped and fenced and the area would be a “quiet zone” without excessive train whistles blown. He feels that by the end of the year it will be known whether we’re set to go or not.

Completion of this project is slated for Thanksgiving, 2009. Mr. Schalliol said the airport hopes to tap some of the state’s Major Moves funding; a last resort would be bonding through St. Joseph County.

Mr. Smith asked about the South Shore building a spur into the Gary Airport. Mr. Hanas said NICTD is waiting for the airport to complete its master plan identifying whether it prefers a direct rail line, a shuttle bus or a tram into the terminals. At Mr. Smith’s suggestion, he, Mr. Hanas, and Ms. DuPey were authorized to discuss the spur with Gary airport officials.

[VivaLFuego]

Oooh a direct spur to Gary Airport, that would be incredibly awesome.

So South Bend airport is also having some expansion done?

[Robert Pence]

Oooh a direct spur to Gary Airport, that would be incredibly awesome.

So South Bend airport is also having some expansion done?

The main runway, 8,000+ feet, I think, runs east-west which is OK most of the time because of prevailing winds. Crosswinds sometimes are a problem, though, and the north-south runway is only about half that length. They want to extend the north-south runway to the same length as the main runway, and part of that project will involve relocating Lincolnway West, the road that runs along the south perimeter of the airport. The project will include a new interchange between the relocated Lincolnway West and US 31 and hopefully a new alignment for the South Shore.

Elimination of street running in Michigan City has been discussed almost for as long as I can remember, and the discussion continues. I know that one proposed route involves a swing bridge over Trail Creek that is old, worn-out and unreliable, and would require major investment. A reroute in Michigan City and the South Bend Airport realignment are estimated to have a collective effect of reducing South Bend-to-Chicago running times by twenty minutes. Current schedule between South Bend and Randolph Street / Millennium Station is 2:20, and they hit it pretty close most of the time.

[Busy Bee]

With the talk of NICTD piggybacking on a Metra contract for those doggy generic new double decker electrics, I just want to remind you of what the rest of the world is getting.

This video is a clip of snazzy new MU's on an interurban system in Brisbane, AUS, which consists appear to be very similar to CSS&SB. Enjoy, and hope that we start taking the connection between good design and appeal seriously again in Chicagoland.

The video:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=0I0UPm-kWcY

[VivaLFuego]

With the talk of NICTD piggybacking on a Metra contract for those doggy generic new double decker electrics, I just want to remind you of what the rest of the world is getting.

This video is a clip of snazzy new MU's on an interurban system in Brisbane, AUS, which consists appear to be very similar to CSS&SB. Enjoy, and hope that we start taking the connection between good design and appeal seriously again in Chicagoland.

The video:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=0I0UPm-kWcY
Those are pretty nice, but a reality of transit in most U.S. cities is that everything is on a tight budget, so it's all gotta be simple and to the point (and a fan of Modernism would like that: no bullshit). The simple ribbed stainless steel exteriors of both Metra and CTA railcars make for lower-maintenance vehicles, no painting required and the ribs discourage graffiti.

[Robert Pence]

http://cbs2chicago.com/northwestindianabureau/local_story_001155703.html

Drunken Riders On South Shore Cause For Concern
Alcohol Use On Trains Heavy During Summer

(AP) Hammond, Ind. Officials with northern Indiana's South Shore commuter line are becoming increasingly concerned about drunken riders.

They say the troubles with people drinking alcohol before boarding and while riding the trains have grown in the past year, during which it topped the four million passenger mark for the first time since 1957.

While drinking typically is allowed on the South Bend-to-Chicago line, officials banned alcohol on Sunday for New Year's Eve activities.

Alcohol use on the trains is especially heavy during the summer, said Robert Byrd, the police chief for the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District, which operates the South Shore line.

"Cubs night games have probably become one of the biggest problems of the year," Byrd said. "They go to the night games, then they go to Wrigleyville and drink and get pretty tanked up, then they get on the train."

Just riding the train out of Chicago does not mean that a person has become sober enough to drive after they reach their South Shore stop, he said.

"A lot of people are smart drinkers and have designated drivers or have people picking them up from the station," Byrd said. "But we do have people who stumble out to their cars and we try to stop them before they get in and start to drive away before it becomes a problem."

The South Shore mirrors the policy of Illinois' Metra line in banning alcohol on certain days of the year, including during the midsummer Taste of Chicago, St. Patrick's Day, some other large festivals in Chicago and New Year's Eve.

Byrd said some riders become belligerent with transit police officers and conductors who confiscate their alcohol on days when it is banned.

"We've had people try to grab their beer back from them and try to get in fights," he said. "A few years ago, we had a guy break a beer bottle and threaten to cut another guy with it."