Chicago South Shore and South Bend Railroad (NICTD)

Gary Metro Center Station

Located on broadway in downtown Gary, the Metro Center is also a major bus station. The station and Metro Center were opened in 1985.

Looking eastbound down Track 2 the "add" track used for daytime storage of a few cars can be seen. Note that the signal cannot show a diverging aspect. "Restricting" could be used for a move onto the "add" track.

The same "add" track is seen looking eastbound down Track 1. This is CP 58.8. Cars move to storage from Track 1 then return for westbound service on Track 1.

Looking eastbound down the platform on the Track 1 side. This track is generally used for eastbound trains. The station has low level platforms with windbreak benches. The community would like to upgrade the station to include high level platforms and gauntlets similar to East Chicago.

Looking westbound down Track 1 a manual switch can be seen. This switch leads to a long storage track that crosses over to Track 2. A spring switch (inset) allows trains to leave the storage track eastbound without changing the points on the switch.

There is an elevator and escalator from platform level down to the connecting walkway to the Metro Center. Retired steam engine E.J. & E. 765 stands in a park next to the South Shore Line.

This is a good location for watching train movements during the day on weekdays as cars are cut from Eastbound trains, added to Westbound trains, and reversed for trains terminating at Gary. 40 of the South Shore's 44 daily trains stop at or pass through Gary (41 daily trains stop with 11 trains originating or terminating at Gary).