RailRoadFan.com

After railfanning the Chicago Line and South Shore for the first time between New Carlisle and South Bend, I have really been stuck on learning more about the South Shore's operations.

I'm assuming passenger trains are easy to locate if one knows the schedule, much like if one was railfanning Metra for example?

I was fortunate to catch them doing freight operations while I was out there as well, but it seemed to be a local cause they were switching industries. Is the South Shore's freight schedule predictable, or is it hit and miss?

Not sure if this has been discussed elsewhere, but if it has my apologies.

Just like any other passenger railroad, they publish a timetable, that you can use to find when they'll pass certain points.

Chicago South Shore Timetables

Here is a 2013 thread on freight operations:
viewtopic.php?f=27&t=26755

Passenger trains are normally on schedule ... most freights start after the morning rush and spend the day staying out of the way of the passenger operations. Freights also run on weekends.

CSS stores freight cars in South Bend and at the siding just west of the US20/31 bypass. The furthest customer to the east is at Smilax Rd.

As to freight, look for gaps in the passenger schedule. That is when they will sometimes slip a freight train thru.

If you want some SS action closer to home you could always come check out the Southern Michigan Railroad Society. We have two retired SS cars, one is used every trip the other is in storage.