The South Shore Line is proud to announce the official unveiling and public debut of passenger Car #3, restored to its 1982 as-built heritage appearance, at the upcoming Pullman Railroad Days event on July 25th and 26th, 2026.
As Car #3 enters the final stages of NICTD’s comprehensive end-life fleet rebuild program, this special restoration pays direct tribute to the modern era of the South Shore Line. “The end-life rebuild program ensures our 1982-built Electric Multi-Unit cars remain safe and reliable for our riders,” said Gary Babcoke, Director of Performance Improvement at the South Shore Line. “We’re thrilled to unveil Car #3, the most recent of 32 cars rebuilt from the ground up to provide our passengers with modern amenities and dependable performance.”
Visitors to the Pullman Railroad Days event will be the first to experience the car’s meticulously reapplied historic appearance, featuring the iconic orange and maroon scheme complemented by the original “Chicago South Shore and South Bend” letterboards. Attendees of Pullman Railroad Days will have the exclusive opportunity to step aboard Car #3, explore historic exhibits inside, and witness firsthand how the classic aesthetic blends with the car’s newly overhauled interior.
“We are incredibly proud to showcase Car #3 in its original 1982 heritage scheme for this year’s event,” said Nicole Barker, Chief Experience and Engagement Officer at the South Shore Line.” Bringing this vibrant piece of rolling history back to the historic Pullman neighborhood—where so much of Chicago’s rail legacy was born—is the perfect way to celebrate our past while building toward our future.”
Following its public display at the festival, Car #3 will formally transition back into revenue service, joining the active South Shore Line fleet to transport daily commuters across the Lakeshore and newly opened Monon Corridors between Northwest Indiana and Chicago’s Millennium Station.
Photo Credit: Nippon Sharyo