Dave's Depots - South Bend Regional Airport(?) - Chicago, South Shore & South Bend

This edition of Dave's Depots takes us to the airport? Specifically, we take you to South Bend Regional Airport in South Bend, Indiana. The South Shore originally served downtown South Bend on street trackage. This was abandoned in 1970, and the line was cut back to a station called Bendix on the west end of town. Here, the South Shore shared a structure with Amtrak, which also retreated from the old New York Central station downtown.

In 1992, the South Shore and the South Bend Regional Airport opened the new depot. Just west of the old Bendix station, South Shore trains leave the old passenger right of way, and take a rather long and oddly laid out route to get to the airport, including running beside city streets. Trains head east, north and turn west again to reach the airport.

The "depot" is actually a two-track canopy on the east end of the airport terminal. Inside the terminal, a ticket office and small waiting area are reserved for South Shore passengers. Passengers can also take advantage of the other features of the airport, including a free business center, a meditation room, coffee shop, and clean restrooms. More South Shore depots and a full trip report to follow!