My dad worked this train. The company was"The Big Four" railroad. Amtrak owns nothing. That is now N.S. trackage. I work indirectly for N.S. right now. Niles city government is responsible for the railroad moving out. Once that happened? Industry in Niles died. Niles yard was once the largest classification yard in the world! Ignorant people did ignorant things to ruin our town.

Freedom train used this spur on it's way to park behind St.Joe. H.S. back in 1976. I used to watch the trains go by as I was a student at Holy Cross Elementary school for 8 years 1955-63. I also remember that the tracks went pass the Mushroom factory in Niles Twp. The factory used a lot of manure so we always closed our windows as we drove past the place.LOL.

My in-laws live off Bertrand. Life long Niles resident. His career was with NYC, PC, Conrail, and NS working out of Elkhart when he retired. Wrecking crew and derrick operator. He sure has the stories. Great video. I always like to try to seek out these places when on visits.

A great video as always. Thanks to you and Dave for sharing this bit of history.

Hi from the UK again. That is fantastic viewing and thanks to you and Mr. Korkhouse for sharing. It must have been good for yourself too, seeing footage of places that you have previously filmed and shared on your channel.

Always enjoy the video going through Rosalind I moved here in 1980 , pretty much live just north of Big c lumber on the west side of the train tracks.. and I remember the trains..😁😁

Awesome PC footage!! Thanks Michiana Mainlines!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Awesome video!!! I got to see the last train on this line when i was a kid. The rail train came through and the next day no more rail. Very sad to see. Mr Korkhouse was my teacher in middle school! Thanks for sharing Mr K!

Thanks for sharing this--a last look at branchline railroading before the deregulation of the industry in the 1980s. Nice to see all those fallen flags, 40-foot boxcars, cabooses and multi-man crews again. I wonder if Mr. Korkhouse filmed the American Freedom Train's visit to this line from South Bend in 1975? That was undoubtedly the last time a steam locomotive or passenger train came to the Notre Dame sidings and it attracted quite a crowd.

Great video! Enjoyed it very much!

Thanks Mr gorkmouse

There is still a spur used by treadstone. in the old MCRR yard

12/07/23: Your audio sounds like an old-time Saturday Night Live skit narrated by Dan Aykroyd (that's a compliment!).

I worked for Wickes Lumber Niles store that every day watched train go Spouth in am then train came up north in PM!! Wickes had siding with dock where lumber cars were spotted!! Dock was too short so half of lumber bunks unloaded then had to release hand brake to let car roll forward to unload rest od lumber!! Problem was had down hill slope and not always car stopped and over shot dock!! So had to get engine to pull back to dock Jim Martin

Does anyone have video of derailment Penn Central Niles Mi 1-5-1974 My birthday 9 yrs old and the derailment under portage ave South Bend In.1976 or 1977 not sure of exact date.Remember seeing derailed freight cars on east and west side of bridge.