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Bringing the World of Railroading To You |
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All pictures displayed are video captures from actual program footage unless noted. Program 125 In existence for over one hundred years, the Indiana Harbor Belt was originally a switching railroad that served many Chicagoland manufacturing industries. Today, it is a completely modern operation that offers freight trains from nearly every Class One railroad in the region a bypass route around Chicago. This program follows the Indiana Harbor Belt's mainline from Franklin Park to the Port of Indiana. Also included are a behind the scenes look at the Harbor Belt's Hammond shops, Gibson Yard and Blue Island Yard. Also included is an interview with IHB superintendent Chuck Allen. |
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Harbor Belt's locomotives populate the tracks outside the railroads Hammond roundhouse. |
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EMD SD's such as #2921 are some of the most recent acquisitions by the railroad. |
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The 2921 is easing onto the roundhouse turntable, one of the oldest operating tables in the U.S. |
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Located west of the offices and shops is Gibson Yard. Gibson is used primarily for auto rack cars. |
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Gibson is equipped with remote track switches, operated by a switchman using a hand-held control. |
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Blue Island features a hump yard for classifying trains. Retarders, visible just ahead of the auto rack car, control the speed of the cars rolling down into the yard. |
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Adding an unique twist to the Harbor Belt's operation is the Port of Indiana. Primarily populated with steel mills, the Port generated about a trainload of freight each day. The Port doesn't open for the shipping season until April, but fishermen populate area as soon as the ice is off the Lake. |
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