CERA's 4th Friday, October 23, 2026 7:00 pm CT In Person and Zoom: William Shapotkin: "South Shore Line - America's MODERN Interurban"

CERA In Person and Zoom Meeting

4^th Friday, October 23, 2026 7:00 pm CT

In Person and Zoom Presentation

400 E. Randolph St., 7th Floor Hospitality Room, Chicago, IL

In Person and

Easy Link to ZOOM Here

https://tinyurl.com/4thFridayCERA

Or

Older longer link to Zoom

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84655931559?pwd=CJDX4VulLCzaLufaL7cEvQiZ6d8EXQ.1 

Zoom meeting Number 846 5593 1559    Passcode  214592

WILLIAM SHAPOTKIN

"South Shore Line -- America's MODERN Interurban"

"South Shore Line -- America's Modern Interurban," by William Shapotkin. It has been 100 years since the re-electrification of the South Shore Line from an AC-powered operation to 1,500 Volt DC operation and extension of thru trains into Chicago. In the intervening years, street operations thru East Chicago, Michigan City and South have been eliminated. The railroad has been double-tracked as far east as Michigan Blvd in Michigan City and the east end-of-line has been changed to serve South Bend Airport. Additionally, we will look at the short-lived streetcar operations to Indiana Harbor and Tolleston -- as well as thru train-bus service to Benton Harbor and Detroit, MI.

Join us as we take a look at the changes have happened along "The Little Orange Railroad," as it transformed itself from a country interurban into a modern suburban operation -- including bi-level equipment and the creation of the "Monon Corridor" to serve Dyer, IN.

This program will also be presented on Zoom (CERA members only) for those members unable to attend the meeting in person.

If you have not yet paid your 2026 CERA Membership dues please do soon or contact me

for more information: Elmer Haneberg

ceraoffice@gmail.com

(773) 972-0470