Thousands of game-goers travel by South Shore to Chicago

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Close to two thousand Notre Dame/Miami game-goers got to the windy city for the match up at Soldier Field by South Shore Train. The South Shore management made some special changes to accommodate the high number of anticipated game day riders!

In addition to the normal 1:05 p.m. train departure from the South Bend Regional Airport to Chicago, the South Shore added an additional service at 1:30 p.m. that seated another eight hundred passengers. And it's a good thing they did, because John Parsons, the marketing Director for the South Shore South Bend Airport's location said all seats were full and many people had to stand.

Another additional train time added to the return schedule tonight departs from Chicago exactly 1-hour after the end of the big game.

Marcia Vargo of South Bend boarded the 1:05 p.m. train with her girlfriends. She said, "It's a great atmosphere, I'm excited, go Irish! It could be a once in a lifetime thing, obviously it is at Soldier Field, it should be exciting, electric!"

Parsons also said, "Typically our emphasis is bringing people from Chicago to South Bend for a game, but everything switches for this game."

It sure did switch everything, just ask Notre Dame usher Thomas Moore who has been on usher duty for every home game for the past four years. "This is the first time I'll be able to see the Irish as a spectator and actually be able to enjoy the game," He said.

Moore said he and some of his old high school friends jumped at the opportunity to purchase game tickets and hop on board the South Shore.

Another switch for this home game, Madeline Gore and her Notre Dame classmates won't be sitting in the student section. She said, "There was a raffle, but there was only a select number of them (tickets), so we did the Stub Hub experience and bought tickets elsewhere in the stadium."

Don Waldron a Notre Dame fan from Goshen was the guest of a business acquaintance, he said they decided to traveled together by train. "We decided to come up on the South Shore because of convenience and it's cheaper," said Waldron.

Vargo said, "These two teams don't like each other."

And passenger Eric Mitchell of Niles, Michigan agreed. "I just hate Notre Dame." He and his brother Logan were decked out in Miami garb.

Parson said, "It's going to be a long day for many people."

Especially it seems it seem even longer if passengers on this train today are wearing Miami gear like the Mitchell brothers. On the 1:05 p.m. train ride to Chicago Logan said they hadn't been harassed too bad yet. "They haven't been drinking yet; once they start drinking I'm sure they'll let us have it," said Logan as he and his brother laughed.

The last regular scheduled train from Chicago to South Bend departs at 11:21 p.m. and the additional train will depart exactly 1-hour following the conclusion of the game. Game-goers are expected to return to the South Bend Airport around 2 to 3 a.m.

If someone misses the train back to South Bend tonight the next train doesn't run until 7 a.m. in Chicago.