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12/23/2024
 
 
 
 
 
By:Tony Held
Dates:11/20/2010 - 10/30/2022
Album Info:Train stuff from beyond the Twin Cities.
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NP 31
Title:  NP 31
Description:  Portrait of Iron Horse Central's Northern Pacific Russel snowplow, taken on a warm Saturday afternoon during Memorial Day weekend 2017. (Thanks again to Eric for the tour.)
Photo Date:  5/27/2017  Upload Date: 5/28/2017 11:03:17 PM
Location:  Chisago City, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  192   Comments: 0
The Bridge Over The Minnesota
Title:  The Bridge Over The Minnesota
Description:  The venerable Minneapolis & St. Louis vintage bridge over the Minnesota River stands tall and proud on a sleepy Sunday afternoon in August.
Photo Date:  5/28/2017  Upload Date: 8/13/2017 8:47:49 PM
Location:  Morton, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Bridge,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  74   Comments: 0
Boxcars Turned Storage Shed
Title:  Boxcars Turned Storage Shed
Description:  A pair of truckless boxcars now serve as storage sheds at the Morton Shops. Holdovers from MNVA days?
Photo Date:  8/13/2017  Upload Date: 8/13/2017 9:00:17 PM
Location:  Morton, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard
Locomotives: 
Views:  54   Comments: 0
Rail Relics
Title:  Rail Relics
Description:  A Chicago and North Western form sheet of some kind and an old copy of The Official Guide Of The Railways can be found in the station master's office at the Fairfax depot museum.
Photo Date:  8/13/2017  Upload Date: 8/19/2017 8:17:53 PM
Location:  Fairfax, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Station
Locomotives: 
Views:  26   Comments: 0
The Signs Say It All
Title:  The Signs Say It All
Description:  You know what depot this is and what railroad once owned it when you see these signs. The Fairfax depot is now part of a city park.
Photo Date:  8/13/2017  Upload Date: 8/17/2017 8:05:43 PM
Location:  Fairfax, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Station
Locomotives: 
Views:  51   Comments: 0
The Freight Room Side
Title:  The Freight Room Side
Description:  The east--and freight room--side of the Fairfax depot. Old Tootin' Louie to the west was quiet on this mostly cloudy Sunday afternoon.
Photo Date:  8/13/2017  Upload Date: 8/17/2017 8:08:54 PM
Location:  Fairfax, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Station,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  49   Comments: 0
Welcome To Fairfax
Title:  Welcome To Fairfax
Description:  Fairfax's preserved Minneapolis & St. Louis depot still proudly bears the town's name and the Tootin' Louie's on the depot's west side.
Photo Date:  8/13/2017  Upload Date: 8/17/2017 8:02:24 PM
Location:  Fairfax, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Station,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  37   Comments: 0
Memories Of The Louie
Title:  Memories Of The Louie
Description:  A photo of an M. & St. L. Alco stands atop a small set of shelves located in the station agent's area. On the first shelf is a copy of Frank Donovan's "Mileposts On The Prairie", the first book ever written about the Tootin' Louie. Beneath it is a copy of "Railroads: The Great American Adventure." I read that book when I was younger. In fact, I practically memorized it. God bless National Geographic for displaying an interest in railroads! I was tempted to take a peek at Donovan's book, but I did not think to ask the docent on duty if that was okay or not.
Photo Date:  8/13/2017  Upload Date: 8/17/2017 9:39:37 PM
Location:  Fairfax, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Station
Locomotives: 
Views:  26   Comments: 0
Tootin' Louie, Looking East
Title:  Tootin' Louie, Looking East
Description:  Finding an active ex-Minneapolis & St. Louis line is as rare as finding a full-fledged arcade at a shopping mall. The Tootin' Louie is alive and well in Hamburg, Minnesota, though. Here we are looking east along the line from the Park Avenue grade crossing near Bicentennial Park.
Photo Date:  8/13/2017  Upload Date: 8/16/2017 11:06:34 PM
Location:  Hamburg, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  70   Comments: 0
Tootin' Louie, Looking West
Title:  Tootin' Louie, Looking West
Description:  We are looking west along the former Minneapolis & St. Louis from the Park Avenue grade crossing. Note the "Hamburg" station sign. Also of note is this is where the Milwaukee 261 did a photo runby in October of 2016 during her first trip on the Louie. I wonder if the crew will do the same this year?
Photo Date:  8/13/2017  Upload Date: 8/16/2017 11:07:49 PM
Location:  Hamburg, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  56   Comments: 0
The History Is On The Door
Title:  The History Is On The Door
Description:  The door to the station master's office at the Fairfax depot museum sports this nifty summary of the history of the Minneapolis & St. Louis. Of the Chicago and North Western's purchase of the Louie, the history says: "November 1, 1960 - sold entire system to Chicago North Western R R (a hostile takeover!)" Hostile or not in business terms, the North Western's purchase ultimately proved hostile to miles of the Louie that would up torn up and left to be either plowed under, return to nature, or become rail trails. The fact the Louie remains not only intact but operated through Fairfax is nothing short of a miracle if you ask me.
Photo Date:  8/13/2017  Upload Date: 8/19/2017 8:18:21 PM
Location:  Fairfax, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Station
Locomotives: 
Views:  38   Comments: 0
Inside The Freight Room
Title:  Inside The Freight Room
Description:  Inside the freight room of the Fairfax depot, you can now find a cornucopia of artifacts and memorabilia devoted to Fairfax and the Minneapolis & St. Louis courtesy of the museum that now occupies the depot. The movie camera and popcorn machine at lower left came from the now closed Fairfax theater. I do not know if the M. & St. L. sign came from Fairfax or another depot.
Photo Date:  8/13/2017  Upload Date: 8/17/2017 8:49:53 PM
Location:  Fairfax, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Station
Locomotives: 
Views:  49   Comments: 0
The Old...
Title:  The Old...
Description:  MNVA Railroad plates issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation still adorn the crossbucks at the Park Avenue grade crossing long after that railroad with the colorful roster folded.
Photo Date:  8/13/2017  Upload Date: 8/16/2017 11:09:44 PM
Location:  Hamburg, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  66   Comments: 0
The Morton Shops
Title:  The Morton Shops
Description:  The Morton shops were quiet, but distant thunder was in the air when I snapped this photo. I wish I could have made it here during MNVA/Minnesota Central days, but at least the shops are still in business for TC&W's Minnesota Prairie Line.
Photo Date:  8/13/2017  Upload Date: 8/13/2017 8:49:31 PM
Location:  Morton, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Yard,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  57   Comments: 0
...And The New
Title:  ...And The New
Description:  Blue emergency contact plates for Twin Cities & Western's (paper) subsidiary Minnesota Prairie Line also grace the Park Avenue crossbucks in Hamburg.
Photo Date:  8/13/2017  Upload Date: 8/16/2017 11:12:03 PM
Location:  Hamburg, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  57   Comments: 0
RRVW 4106 In Repose
Title:  RRVW 4106 In Repose
Description:  The 4106 sleeps away in the yard on a lazy Sunday afternoon in August.
Photo Date:  8/13/2017  Upload Date: 8/13/2017 9:02:24 PM
Location:  Morton, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Roster,Yard
Locomotives:  RRVW 4106(GP15C)
Views:  83   Comments: 0
Honoring The Last Trains
Title:  Honoring The Last Trains
Description:  This sign in the station agent's office at the Fairfax depot honors the last passenger trains to stop at the depot in July of 1960. A few months later, the Em and Saintell would follow them into Valhalla. These trains were the "doodlebug" and trailer types that were a staple on the Louie for decades. Their spirit lingers on within the rails that pass by the Fairfax depot.
Photo Date:  8/13/2017  Upload Date: 8/17/2017 10:14:11 PM
Location:  Fairfax, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Station
Locomotives: 
Views:  52   Comments: 0
TCWR 11997
Title:  TCWR 11997
Description:  Portrait of TC&W's ex-Burlington Northern caboose. Taken at the Morton shops on a sleepy Sunday afternoon in August.
Photo Date:  8/13/2017  Upload Date: 8/13/2017 8:57:11 PM
Location:  Morton, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Roster,RollingStock,Yard
Locomotives: 
Views:  192   Comments: 0
Cornucopia
Title:  Cornucopia
Description:  The Fairfax depot is a cornucopia of train and town memorabilia such as this. Don't scoff about seeing a Santa Fe model train in a Minneapolis & St. Louis depot. The train set was donated to the museum by the parents of the child the train was bought for.
Photo Date:  8/13/2017  Upload Date: 8/19/2017 8:20:16 PM
Location:  Fairfax, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Model
Locomotives: 
Views:  33   Comments: 0
No Station Is Complete Without One Of These
Title:  No Station Is Complete Without One Of These
Description:  The train order signal at the Fairfax depot museum. No station is complete without one of these. I assume this is the original signal, but I would need to double check.
Photo Date:  8/13/2017  Upload Date: 8/17/2017 8:20:31 PM
Location:  Fairfax, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Signal,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  43   Comments: 0
Lots Of Stuff
Title:  Lots Of Stuff
Description:  Lots of stuff both train and town can be found at the Fairfax depot museum.
Photo Date:  8/13/2017  Upload Date: 8/19/2017 8:20:45 PM
Location:  Fairfax, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Model
Locomotives: 
Views:  22   Comments: 0
Depot Grounds
Title:  Depot Grounds
Description:  Here is a full portrait of the former Northern Pacific Pine City depot and depot grounds. I suspect the red building was used by NP workers. I am happy to report you can find the old depot off of Railroad Street Southeast. You can also see the Snake River bridge from here (it is located in the upper left corner).
Photo Date:  9/22/2017  Upload Date: 8/25/2015 4:01:38 PM
Location:  Pine City, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Station,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  85   Comments: 0
Hello Again, 1206!
Title:  Hello Again, 1206!
Description:  Entering Winthrop aboard the 261 Fall Colors trip, I spotte[ an old friend from my teenage years: former Dakota Rail SW1200 1206, now a lease unit but still wearing those nifty DAKR colors! When the train left town, I snapped this portrait. Note how my old friend has been equipped with a snow shovel, still a practical accessory in these latitudes.
Photo Date:  9/30/2017  Upload Date: 1/17/2017 9:02:43 PM
Location:  Winthrop, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives: 
Views:  283   Comments: 1
BN 10187 On Display
Title:  BN 10187 On Display
Description:  Burlington Northern 10187 can be found on display at the Albertville Lions Park, located next to the BNSF Monticello Subdivision. A depot-like building is being built next to the caboose. Note how none of the windows are covered, thus restoring the 10187 to her 1970s look.
Photo Date:  11/24/2017  Upload Date: 11/24/2017 6:19:53 PM
Location:  Albertville, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Roster,RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  111   Comments: 0
Back From The Mill City
Title:  Back From The Mill City
Description:  This is the engine that pulled the four car train I rode from Target Field Station in downtown Minneapolis to Big Lake Station. The Northstar can really roll! I sure look forward to the day St. Cloud is served by Northstar at last.
Photo Date:  11/24/2017  Upload Date: 11/24/2017 6:15:28 PM
Location:  Big Lake, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Roster,Station,Passenger
Locomotives:  MNRX 505(MP36PH-3C)
Views:  89   Comments: 1
Here Comes The Northstar!
Title:  Here Comes The Northstar!
Description:  The northbound Northstar arrives at Big Lake beneath gray skies on the Friday after Thanksgiving. I would ride this train to Target Field, savoring an instance of the journey being the destination.
Photo Date:  11/24/2017  Upload Date: 11/24/2017 6:14:30 PM
Location:  Big Lake, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Station,Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  MNRX 503(MP36PH-3C)
Views:  61   Comments: 0
Quiet Siding
Title:  Quiet Siding
Description:  This quiet siding north of Pine Street on the rarely used portion of the Monticello Subdivision does see use as a runaround track for motive power on trains serving the Monticello power plant. Shame no action was going on today.
Photo Date:  11/24/2017  Upload Date: 11/24/2017 6:17:06 PM
Location:  Monticello, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  66   Comments: 0
Rusty Ex-Great Northern South of Pine Street
Title:  Rusty Ex-Great Northern South of Pine Street
Description:  A view of the BNSF Monticello Subdivision looking south from Pine Street. As there have been no special moves to Xcel Energy's Monticello power plant in recent years, rust has regained a firm hold on these ex-Great Northern rails.
Photo Date:  11/24/2017  Upload Date: 11/24/2017 6:19:05 PM
Location:  Monticello, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  82   Comments: 0
Classic Waycar
Title:  Classic Waycar
Description:  Another view of this classy BN caboose now on display at Lions Park in Albertville.
Photo Date:  2/13/2018  Upload Date: 2/13/2018 6:37:55 PM
Location:  Albertville, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Roster,RollingStock,Winter
Locomotives: 
Views:  93   Comments: 1
10187's Data
Title:  10187's Data
Description:  Caboose data for BN 10187.
Photo Date:  2/13/2018  Upload Date: 2/13/2018 6:39:33 PM
Location:  Albertville, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  112   Comments: 0
Monticello Subdivision At Main Avenue Northeast
Title:  Monticello Subdivision At Main Avenue Northeast
Description:  Here is the BNSF Monticello Subdivision down at Main Avenue Northeast, the last grade crossing before the "Monte" Local reaches its turnaround point in town. Shame the train was not in on this mild February day.
Photo Date:  2/13/2018  Upload Date: 2/13/2018 6:41:49 PM
Location:  Albertville, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Winter,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  102   Comments: 0
BN 10187 In The Snow
Title:  BN 10187 In The Snow
Description:  Burlington Northern 10187 basks beneath mild skies despite being surrounded by snow at the moment.
Photo Date:  2/13/2018  Upload Date: 2/13/2018 6:38:22 PM
Location:  Albertville, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Roster,RollingStock,Winter
Locomotives: 
Views:  159   Comments: 1
Yellow Couplers?
Title:  Yellow Couplers?
Description:  BN painted the couplers on their waycars yellow to match the ends? I had forgotten that.
Photo Date:  2/13/2018  Upload Date: 2/13/2018 6:39:03 PM
Location:  Albertville, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Roster,RollingStock,Winter
Locomotives: 
Views:  103   Comments: 0
Monte Sub And Caboose Display
Title:  Monte Sub And Caboose Display
Description:  Here we are looking north along the BNSF Monte Sub towards where the Monte Local usually has its power turned before the crew heads back to Northtown Yard. Note BN 10187 on display in Lions Park at left.
Photo Date:  2/13/2018  Upload Date: 2/13/2018 6:39:52 PM
Location:  Albertville, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  RollingStock,Winter,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  98   Comments: 0
The Turnaround Point
Title:  The Turnaround Point
Description:  Until another more regular shipper opens up shop in Monticello, this siding next to Lions Park in Albertville is the current turnaround point for BNSF's Monticello local.
Photo Date:  2/13/2018  Upload Date: 2/13/2018 6:43:22 PM
Location:  Albertville, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Winter,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  92   Comments: 0
Where The Monticello Sub Crosses The Crow
Title:  Where The Monticello Sub Crosses The Crow
Description:  A zoom shot from the 42nd Street NE grade crossing netted this fine portrait of the venerable bridge over the Crow River along BNSF's Monticello Subdivision. On this mild and cloudy February afternoon, the bridge was patiently awaiting the next run of the Monte Local.
Photo Date:  2/15/2018  Upload Date: 2/15/2018 6:51:54 PM
Location:  Saint Michael, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Bridge,Winter,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  82   Comments: 0
Another Zoom Shot
Title:  Another Zoom Shot
Description:  Like I said, I got carried away.
Photo Date:  7/1/2018  Upload Date: 12/10/2018 10:25:14 PM
Location:  Willmar, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Yard
Locomotives:  BNSF 2045(GP38-2) BNSF 2044(GP38-2) BNSF 2621(GP39-3)
Views:  345   Comments: 1
West End Yard Goats
Title:  West End Yard Goats
Description:  The yard goats at the west end of the Willmar Yard pause in the middle of their switching duties early on the evening of the first day of July 2018.
Photo Date:  7/1/2018  Upload Date: 7/4/2018 6:51:02 PM
Location:  Willmar, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Yard,Action
Locomotives:  BNSF 1899(SD40-2) BNSF 1918(SD40-2)
Views:  308   Comments: 1
Another Closer Look
Title:  Another Closer Look
Description:  Another closer look, this time at the other two golden oldies in a quartet of four I saw parked at the Willmar sand tower during this visit.
Photo Date:  7/1/2018  Upload Date: 12/10/2018 10:32:53 PM
Location:  Willmar, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Yard
Locomotives:  BNSF 1990(SD40-2)
Views:  88   Comments: 1
A Closer Look
Title:  A Closer Look
Description:  A close look at two of four golden oldies I spotted near the Willmar sand tower during my visit.
Photo Date:  7/1/2018  Upload Date: 12/10/2018 10:34:23 PM
Location:  Willmar, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Yard
Locomotives:  BNSF 2344(GP38-2) BNSF 2285(GP38-2)
Views:  144   Comments: 0
A Lone GE
Title:  A Lone GE
Description:  A lone ES44DC sits alone at the engine area at Willmar Yard, basking beneath mild July skkies.
Photo Date:  7/1/2018  Upload Date: 7/4/2018 6:49:21 PM
Location:  Willmar, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Roster,Yard
Locomotives:  BNSF 7240(ES44DC)
Views:  84   Comments: 1
Golden Oldies
Title:  Golden Oldies
Description:  My visit to Willmar netted these four golden oldies parked near the sand tower. I especially like the 2589 because it retains the classic GP30 look.
Photo Date:  7/1/2018  Upload Date: 7/30/2018 9:26:36 PM
Location:  Willmar, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Roster,Yard
Locomotives: 
Views:  255   Comments: 0
Turntable And Shop
Title:  Turntable And Shop
Description:  A portrait of the turntable and shop (?) at BNSF's Willmar yard, taken on a lovely, mild Sunday afternoon.
Photo Date:  7/1/2018  Upload Date: 7/4/2018 6:49:48 PM
Location:  Willmar, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Yard
Locomotives: 
Views:  75   Comments: 0
Zoom Shot
Title:  Zoom Shot
Description:  I got carried away during my visit and had some fun with zoom shots.
Photo Date:  7/1/2018  Upload Date: 12/10/2018 10:24:43 PM
Location:  Willmar, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Yard
Locomotives:  BNSF 2045(GP38-2) BNSF 2044(GP38-2)
Views:  330   Comments: 1
The Kandiyohi Depot
Title:  The Kandiyohi Depot
Description:  The depot from the nearby town of Kandiyohi now can be found at the Kandiyohi County Historical Museum in Willmar. The depot forms the front entrance to the main museum building.
Photo Date:  7/1/2018  Upload Date: 7/4/2018 6:48:51 PM
Location:  Willmar, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Station
Locomotives: 
Views:  49   Comments: 0
More GEs
Title:  More GEs
Description:  Two more GEs I found at Willmar on the first day of July 2018.
Photo Date:  7/1/2018  Upload Date: 8/4/2018 6:24:15 PM
Location:  Willmar, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Roster,Yard
Locomotives: 
Views:  179   Comments: 0
Oldies But Goodies
Title:  Oldies But Goodies
Description:  Five older units at Willmar that caught my eye when I visited.
Photo Date:  7/1/2018  Upload Date: 12/10/2018 10:17:33 PM
Location:  Willmar, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Yard
Locomotives:  BNSF 2045(GP38-2) BNSF 2044(GP38-2) BNSF 2621(GP39-3)
Views:  391   Comments: 1
Another Iconic Waycar
Title:  Another Iconic Waycar
Description:  The Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy's wooden waycars were as iconic to the "Q" as steel bay window cabooses were to the Milwaukee. #14534 was stored at United Sugars in Chaska for years until the Union Pacific's (precipitous, in my opinion) abandonment of their line to United Sugars meant this waycar and a few other GSRM museum pieces needed to be trucked to the museum at New Prague as soon as could be arranged. If you want to help give 14534 and her mates shelter, donate to GSRM via www.GSRM.org
Photo Date:  8/4/2018  Upload Date: 8/18/2018 8:16:16 PM
Location:  New Prague, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Roster,RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  151   Comments: 0
The Caboose Hop Is In
Title:  The Caboose Hop Is In
Description:  The Gopher State Rail crew talks with a guest and take a breather after a run along their line.
Photo Date:  8/4/2018  Upload Date: 8/4/2018 6:26:41 PM
Location:  New Prague, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Roster,RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  181   Comments: 1
Iconic Caboose
Title:  Iconic Caboose
Description:  The Milwaukee Road's orange bay window cabooses were iconic of the storied railroad. GSRM's #992147 is a good representative of the Milwaukee's bay window waycar fleet. A ride (or two, or three) aboard the 992147 is much recommended.
Photo Date:  8/4/2018  Upload Date: 8/18/2018 8:15:03 PM
Location:  New Prague, MN
Author:  Tony Held
Categories:  Roster,RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  128   Comments: 0


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