NS Chicago line Camping

[Micah_D]

Hello all,
I am planning a weekend trip down to Ohio/Indiana to Railfan the Chicago line. I was wondering if anyone might know of a trackside place where my self and a buddy of mine could pitch a tent and watch trains for the weekend. We were hoping for something similar to deshler where there is a bathroom and electrical. If any of you may know of a spot please let me know.

Thanks,
Micah

[David Collins]

Hello all,
I am planning a weekend trip down to Ohio/Indiana to Railfan the Chicago line. I was wondering if anyone might know of a trackside place where my self and a buddy of mine could pitch a tent and watch trains for the weekend. We were hoping for something similar to deshler where there is a bathroom and electrical. If any of you may know of a spot please let me know.

Thanks,
Micah

Your best bet would probably be Chesterton, I feel like they had an electrical hookup there since my dad and I parked our RV there last year. There's a gas station nearby for a bathroom, but other than that, I can't think of anywhere else.

[~Z~]

Dunno where in Chesterton that they are cool with you pitching a tent though...
In Kendalville, there's the Bixler Lake Campground that's less than 1/2 mile south of the tracks that would be an easy walk to watch, setup tent, bathrooms, and electric there.
Otherwise I setup a tent before in Butler IN during one of our meets there. CAPT CAPS from here called the police ahead of time and got their ok to let us setup camp at the park for the night. They had an electric plug but I don't recall the bathrooms, it's been a bit.

[David Collins]

Dunno where in Chesterton that they are cool with you pitching a tent though...

I feel like the people at Riley's Jailhouse would be ok with it because they were fine with me and my dad parking our RV in the lot, like I said, I'm not sure about it.

[Micah_D]

Dunno where in Chesterton that they are cool with you pitching a tent though...
In Kendalville, there's the Bixler Lake Campground that's less than 1/2 mile south of the tracks that would be an easy walk to watch, setup tent, bathrooms, and electric there.
Otherwise I setup a tent before in Butler IN during one of our meets there. CAPT CAPS from here called the police ahead of time and got their ok to let us setup camp at the park for the night. They had an electric plug but I don't recall the bathrooms, it's been a bit.

I like this idea. What park did you guys camp in? If you have a Google maps pinpoint or something that would work too. I may do the same.

[~Z~]

I slept at Southside Park in Butler as I didn't want to sleep right next to the tracks so I could attempt to get an ounce of sleep
There's a baseball field just to the west of the library, and some grassy area near it.
If Butler doesn't ok it, I'd say just try a few other cities nearby, contact someone in their city division and see where might ok it. Heck, some church might allow it on their grounds.
Swanton and Wauseon both have parks next to the tracks that might be worth asking.