North of Racine was a significant bridge crossing over the Root River. Unfortunately, the river is in private property and is inaccessible. For many years, the first significant remaining evidence of the North Shore Line was north of the river, and immediately south of 4 Mile Road. This was an electrical substation, still standing and is visible from 4 Mile Road, inside a fenced area. Although the substation reportedly may have since been demolished. Because one must face south to photograph the substation, the light conditions were not the most desirable for photography. The substation is the structure to the left, with the railway passing to the right of it.
Within Milwaukee County south of Milwaukee, high voltage electrical transmission lines mark the route of the North Shore Line, although little evidence remains of the actual right of way. One must often use some imagination to believe that 35 years earlier, there was a double track high speed electric railway here. A path was recently developed from the county line north to Ryan Road, where the North Shore Line crossed the Chicago & North Western's freight main line, now Union Pacific's Milwaukee Subdivision. View is looking northwest from Ryan Road, in the direction of the North Shore Line.
Two miles north of Ryan Road is Drexel Avenue, in the Milwaukee suburb of Oak Creek. The North Shore Line crossed over Drexel Avenue on a bridge. The approaches to the bridge still remain. Since this photo was taken, a path was developed in both directions. New suburban housing has since been constructed, such as the houses visible immediately east of the north bridge approach.
Unlike other segments of the North Shore Line right of way, most of this segment generally has not been preserved as a trail. Some areas are a good walk from nearest public transportation, which include the bus systems in Racine and Milwaukee, and Wisconsin Coach Lines. But driving is generally the best way to reach these areas.