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4/26/2024
 
 
 
 
 
By:Tony Held
Dates:1/1/2002 - 8/3/2014
Album Info:A collection of train action and other rail scenes from around the Minneapolis/St. Paul metro area. Enjoy!
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My First Northstar!
Title:  My First Northstar!
Description:  Alas, due to the extremely high "burst" speed I used, shot came out a bit fuzzy. I cleaned it up best I could, and here it is. Train is at Coon Creek junction.
Photo Date:  8/7/2011  Upload Date: 8/7/2011 9:09:38 PM
Location:  Coon Rapids, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  163   Comments: 0
Minneapolis Ho!
Title:  Minneapolis Ho!
Description:  The only afternoon southbound Northstar commuter speeds away from Coon Creek Junction behind two smokin' units.
Photo Date:  8/7/2011  Upload Date: 8/7/2011 11:23:55 PM
Location:  Coon Rapids, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  60   Comments: 0
This Must Be The Joint
Title:  This Must Be The Joint
Description:  The sign at Amtrak Midway. To think that one day this depot will be replaced by a golden oldie, the St. Paul Union Depot. This "Amshack" still always had a charm to me. Feels like an airport inside, only alot more peaceful!
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/13/2011 9:18:06 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  43   Comments: 0
View Over The Rooftop
Title:  View Over The Rooftop
Description:  Got the best shot I could of this Soo unit by zooming in over the roof of the Ford Yard office. Turned out pretty decent. Liked how I got the Espee boxcar into the shot.
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/13/2011 8:47:23 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  SOO 4451(GP38-2)
Views:  329   Comments: 0
Acceleration Time
Title:  Acceleration Time
Description:  An eastbound iron ore train gains speed as it leaves Bandana Square behind. Meanwhile, the folks at the Como Park soccer fields pay the dramatic sight no heed as kids teams chase the white and black balls around the fields.
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/14/2011 8:14:56 AM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  BNSF 5768(ES44AC) BNSF 9198(SD70ACe)
Views:  314   Comments: 0
Eastbound Taconite
Title:  Eastbound Taconite
Description:  An eastbound taconite train bound for the steel mills slowly gets up to speed as it passes Bandana Square. Crew sure has the ponies for hauling all that ore.
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/14/2011 8:12:40 AM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  BNSF 9198(SD70ACe) BNSF 5768(ES44AC)
Views:  313   Comments: 0
And Once More The Caritas
Title:  And Once More The Caritas
Description:  This must be my umpteenth shot of this varnish palace. Today it was the last of six private cars on the spur at the Amtrak Midway station. Car number is "80045."
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/13/2011 9:12:01 PM
Location:  Long Lake, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Yard
Locomotives: 
Views:  800   Comments: 0
Tracks Two And Three
Title:  Tracks Two And Three
Description:  I always thought these signs at Amtrak Midway were nifty.
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/13/2011 9:17:52 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  38   Comments: 0
Sage Advice
Title:  Sage Advice
Description:  Another "digital zoom", this time of the sign on the power box of the Cleveland Avenue wye signals.
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/13/2011 11:01:52 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  60   Comments: 0
Canadian Pacific!
Title:  Canadian Pacific!
Description:  These three units on the point of an eastbound freight just shouts the name of the road as it passes Bandana.
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/14/2011 8:30:50 AM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CP 9681(AC44CW) CP 8566(AC44CW) CP 8823(ES44AC)
Views:  259   Comments: 0
UP 9412
Title:  UP 9412
Description:  First in a string of five units I found parked in the east end of UP's East Minneapolis yard.
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/14/2011 8:42:38 AM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  UP 9412(C41-8W)
Views:  204   Comments: 0
UP 9443
Title:  UP 9443
Description:  Second of a five unit lashup I found parked at East Minneapolis yard. It and the lead unit were both idling.
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/14/2011 8:42:49 AM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  UP 9443(C41-8W)
Views:  168   Comments: 0
Santa Fe All The Way
Title:  Santa Fe All The Way
Description:  A former Santa Fe GE now owned by the Minnesota Commercial rests under breezy skies at Cleveland Avenue.
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/13/2011 11:06:30 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  MNNR 42(SF30B)
Views:  298   Comments: 0
Super Dome!
Title:  Super Dome!
Description:  Here is the second private car I found, North Star Rail's Milwaukee Road Super Dome. Are you like me and can picture David P. Morgan enjoying a drink and conversation in the lower level like he wrote he used to do?
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/13/2011 8:59:03 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  230   Comments: 0
Katy Did (Show Up)
Title:  Katy Did (Show Up)
Description:  Seen this car several times before. It's a true classic of the open-platfrom heavyweight passenger car era. Today it was the fourth of six private cars parked on the spur at Amtrak Midway. One curious thing I noted; it also bears the number "800393". Anybody know why?
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/13/2011 9:06:57 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  163   Comments: 0
From Dairyland to Gopher Land
Title:  From Dairyland to Gopher Land
Description:  Green Bay and Western vetr 314 is still with us earning her keep on the Minnesota Commercial. Note the very weathered shack next to it's parking place at Cleveland Avenue roundhouse this Saturday.
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/13/2011 11:19:58 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  MNNR 314(C424)
Views:  249   Comments: 0
Bingo!
Title:  Bingo!
Description:  Used the "digital zoom" feature on my camera from way down at the Amtrak depot to catch the MNNR yard goat in action.
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/13/2011 8:35:35 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  MNNR 40(B23-7)
Views:  322   Comments: 0
Treasures Of The Minnesota Commercial
Title:  Treasures Of The Minnesota Commercial
Description:  More roundhouse treasures scooped up via zoom lense.
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/13/2011 11:12:50 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  MNNR 55(C30-7) MNNR 1982(B23-7)
Views:  376   Comments: 0
Zoom!  Click!
Title:  Zoom! Click!
Description:  I obeyed that "no trespassing" sign to the letter and the spirit; a zoom in got this great pic of these two Minnesota Commercial units in front of the MNNR roundhouse.
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/13/2011 11:03:12 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  MNNR 59(C36-7) MNNR 2002(B23-7)
Views:  347   Comments: 1
Montreal Locomotive Works gem
Title:  Montreal Locomotive Works gem
Description:  This Canadian MLW gem remains alive and well south of the border plying Minnesota Commerical rails.
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/13/2011 11:14:16 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  MNNR 71(M636)
Views:  560   Comments: 0
And The New
Title:  And The New
Description:  Got this shot of the MNNR sign on the Cleveland Avenue roundhouse from across the street thanks to "digital zoom" mode.
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/13/2011 9:23:31 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  45   Comments: 0
Nix Steam No More
Title:  Nix Steam No More
Description:  It occured to me while photographing these Norfolk Southern visitors to East Minneapolis that with their revived steam program, the nickname "Nix Steam" no longer applies!
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/14/2011 9:01:15 AM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  NS 9402(C40-9W) NS 7530(ES40DC)
Views:  117   Comments: 0
Thuroughbreds Beneath The Clouds
Title:  Thuroughbreds Beneath The Clouds
Description:  Only reason I stopped at East Minneapolis was because of some temporary cloud cover overhead dulling the west-facing sun. I had to beat it after this shot, though; sun was about to return.
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/14/2011 9:01:31 AM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  NS 7530(ES40DC) NS 9402(C40-9W)
Views:  97   Comments: 0
The Old
Title:  The Old
Description:  Weathered though it is, this sign for the Minnesota Transfer Railway still adorns the Cleveland Avenue roundhouse, having been put up during the glory days of steam. Now it is a reminder of the Minnesota Commercial's heritage.
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/13/2011 9:23:19 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  52   Comments: 0
Feast Your Eyes While You Can!
Title:  Feast Your Eyes While You Can!
Description:  With the December 2011 closing date for the St. Paul Ford Plant looming, this vista at Ford Yard is now a very perishable commodity. Get your pics while you can!
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/13/2011 8:35:49 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  92   Comments: 0
We Meet At Last
Title:  We Meet At Last
Description:  I've heard of the "Gritty Palace", but this was my first catch of it. It was the fifth of six private cars stashed at Amtrak Midway. Nifty name, but what does "GNW&B" stand for?
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/13/2011 9:11:49 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  167   Comments: 1
Rio Grand Scenic?
Title:  Rio Grand Scenic?
Description:  The third of six private varnish palaces I found at Amtrak Midway is this full-length dome lettered for the Rio Grande Scenic, but it's reporting mark I did not record. It's number, though, is 800124.
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/13/2011 9:02:40 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  152   Comments: 1
Skytop!
Title:  Skytop!
Description:  Was pleasantly surprised to find the Cedar Rapids tacked on to the tail end of six -count 'em, six!- private cars at the Amtrak Midway depot.
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/13/2011 8:56:30 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  770   Comments: 1
Replacement Pic
Title:  Replacement Pic
Description:  Last December, not knowing what my new camera could do, I took a blurry shot of the caboose stationed at Ford Yard. Today, that pic is history, replaced by this one, taken on "digital zoom" mode. I could even deduce the number!
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/13/2011 8:40:06 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  97   Comments: 0
Ford Yard's Power
Title:  Ford Yard's Power
Description:  Portrait shot of the two units, taken from the Cleveland Avenue bridge.
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/13/2011 8:47:08 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  SOO 4444(GP38-2) SOO 4451(GP38-2)
Views:  185   Comments: 0
Pay Attention Kids
Title:  Pay Attention Kids
Description:  The two boys down to the right belonged to a total group of five or six I saw come up to the fence by the Bandana Parking garage and proceed to start going through a hole in it and across the tracks right as that CP job was coming! I shouted a warning, but they didn't listen. Luckily the first batch of three or four got across while the other two sensibly waited after finally waking up to the oncoming Big Bad Beaver Rail job. Guys; never try to cross tracks when a train is inbound! A trip to the soccer fields isn't worth a trip to the hospital or funeral home.
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/14/2011 8:31:19 AM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CP 8823(ES44AC) CP 8566(AC44CW) CP 9681(AC44CW)
Views:  325   Comments: 0
UP 3125
Title:  UP 3125
Description:  I had to cope with all kinds of obstacles to get four of a five unit UP lashup I found at East Minneapolis yard this day. This was the third unit, a golden oldie.
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/14/2011 8:49:53 AM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  UP 3125(SD40-2)
Views:  160   Comments: 0
UP 3236
Title:  UP 3236
Description:  The fourth of five UP units I found at East Minneapolis on this visit. Couldn't get the fifth off to the right due to too many obstructions in the way. Was nice to bag two UP SD40-2s, though!
Photo Date:  8/13/2011  Upload Date: 8/14/2011 8:50:07 AM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  UP 3236(SD40-2R)
Views:  265   Comments: 0
Eastbound Grain
Title:  Eastbound Grain
Description:  A Dash nine duo is the ponies at the disposal of the crew of this eastbound unit grain train passing Edina Realty and the other businesses west of the Ferndale grade crossing.
Photo Date:  8/15/2011  Upload Date: 8/15/2011 1:20:32 PM
Location:  Wayzata, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  BNSF 4932(C44-9W) BNSF 4733(C44-9W)
Views:  178   Comments: 0
CSX Trio
Title:  CSX Trio
Description:  Soon after an eastbound grain train breezed through town another eastbound took the hole, this time a mixed freight led by this CSX trio. Nice!
Photo Date:  8/15/2011  Upload Date: 8/15/2011 1:15:42 PM
Location:  Wayzata, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CSX 5495(ES40DC) CSX 8591(SD50-2) CSX 4582(SD70MAC)
Views:  306   Comments: 0
BNSF 5157 is the DPU
Title:  BNSF 5157 is the DPU
Description:  Here's the DPU of an eastbound grain job clearing the Ferndale Road crossing. Got the main track signal into the composition by pure chance.
Photo Date:  8/15/2011  Upload Date: 8/15/2011 1:18:30 PM
Location:  Wayzata, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  BNSF 5157(C44-9W)
Views:  150   Comments: 0
Another Zoom Shot
Title:  Another Zoom Shot
Description:  Before I caught this train in Wayzata, I first snapped this shot of it stopped in Long Lake just before they got the green signal.
Photo Date:  8/15/2011  Upload Date: 8/15/2011 1:20:43 PM
Location:  Long Lake, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  BNSF 4733(C44-9W) BNSF 4932(C44-9W)
Views:  143   Comments: 0
To The Yard!
Title:  To The Yard!
Description:  With a CN SUV and two employees tagging along, the crew of today's westbound CN/WC train head up to the MNNR yard. Glad I got the WC hopper on the right into the shot. BTW: if the crew of the SUV sees this, I'd be happy to send them a copy if you like.
Photo Date:  8/20/2011  Upload Date: 8/20/2011 9:26:25 PM
Location:  New Brighton, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  BCOL 4619(C40-8M) CN 5707(SD75I)
Views:  441   Comments: 0
Bringing Em Down
Title:  Bringing Em Down
Description:  The CN/WC hogger applies the motive power to bring a cut of cars out of the Minnesota Commercial yard to be switched onto todays westbound to Wisconsin. Note the CN vehicle on the right.
Photo Date:  8/20/2011  Upload Date: 8/20/2011 9:47:53 PM
Location:  New Brighton, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CN 5707(SD75I) BCOL 4619(C40-8M)
Views:  385   Comments: 0
Coupled Up
Title:  Coupled Up
Description:  The CN WC locos coupled up to some interchange at the MNNR yard.
Photo Date:  8/20/2011  Upload Date: 8/20/2011 9:47:40 PM
Location:  New Brighton, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CN 5707(SD75I) BCOL 4619(C40-8M)
Views:  123   Comments: 0
CN 5707 Roster Shot
Title:  CN 5707 Roster Shot
Description:  Roster shot of this unit taken as it and its BCOL companion swing up into the MNNR yard.
Photo Date:  8/20/2011  Upload Date: 8/20/2011 9:33:30 PM
Location:  New Brighton, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CN 5707(SD75I)
Views:  132   Comments: 0
The CN (WC) Arrives
Title:  The CN (WC) Arrives
Description:  With a colorful motive power mix the westbound CN (WC) pulls in to New Brighton to interchange with the Minnesota Commercial.
Photo Date:  8/20/2011  Upload Date: 8/20/2011 7:43:37 PM
Location:  New Brighton, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CN 5707(SD75I) BCOL 4619(C40-8M)
Views:  159   Comments: 0
Detached And Getting Ready
Title:  Detached And Getting Ready
Description:  After being met by a CN vehicle with two employees that had come down from the MNNR yard after the CN WC arrived, the train's motive power prepares to reverse up into the yard after the crew cut them loose.
Photo Date:  8/20/2011  Upload Date: 8/20/2011 9:21:22 PM
Location:  New Brighton, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  BCOL 4619(C40-8M) CN 5707(SD75I)
Views:  128   Comments: 0
I Still Liked the Real WC Better
Title:  I Still Liked the Real WC Better
Description:  Ten years after my first visit to New Brighton, the old Soo Line depot shows what a difference a decade makes. I still liked the real Wisconsin Central better than its ersatz paper subsidiary ghost. Shame on those greedy stockholders who willingly threw to the wolves a vibrant regional railroad!
Photo Date:  8/20/2011  Upload Date: 8/20/2011 7:43:59 PM
Location:  New Brighton, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  88   Comments: 1
Station Sign "Roseville"
Title:  Station Sign "Roseville"
Description:  This piece of ex-Northern Pacific track links the Minnesota Commercial's former Minnesota Transfer mainline with the ex-NP Skally Line fragment that runs from White Bear Lake to Hugo. This station sign can be found two blocks east of the County C/Snelling intersection. Anyone know what the "Shunt" sign is for?
Photo Date:  8/20/2011  Upload Date: 8/20/2011 7:43:46 PM
Location:  Roseville, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  133   Comments: 1
Easing To A Stop
Title:  Easing To A Stop
Description:  As the power lines that tower above 35W hum and crackle, the hogger on the westbound CN WC eases the train to a stop for some interchange work at New Brighton.
Photo Date:  8/20/2011  Upload Date: 8/20/2011 7:53:37 PM
Location:  New Brighton, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  BCOL 4619(C40-8M) CN 5707(SD75I)
Views:  182   Comments: 0
First The BNSF Power
Title:  First The BNSF Power
Description:  Two BNSF dash-nines lead a NS and CSX unit at the head of a long freight passing Bandana Square going east.
Photo Date:  9/3/2011  Upload Date: 9/4/2011 10:31:22 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  BNSF 4949(C44-9W) BNSF 4765(C44-9W)
Views:  159   Comments: 0
Passing The Soccer Fields
Title:  Passing The Soccer Fields
Description:  As soccer moms and dads watch their offspring do their stuff on the soccer fields of Como Park, the passing of an eastbound BNSF job with a glut o power gets attention only from yours truly atop Bandana Square's "No State Fair parking" marked four story garage.
Photo Date:  9/3/2011  Upload Date: 9/4/2011 10:39:05 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  CSX 120(AC44CW) NS 9131(C40-9W) BNSF 4765(C44-9W) BNSF 4949(C44-9W)
Views:  276   Comments: 0
NS 8851
Title:  NS 8851
Description:  Roster shot. It and another NS unit were at the UP's East Minneapolis yard.
Photo Date:  9/3/2011  Upload Date: 9/3/2011 10:09:55 PM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  NS 8851(C40-9)
Views:  81   Comments: 0
BNSF 5430 Through The Windshield
Title:  BNSF 5430 Through The Windshield
Description:  A view of the DPU on an ethanol job I'd first caught in Wayzata then encountered on the Union Cutoff later that same day. Note the city bus and State Fair shuttle in my rearview mirror; they probably enjoyed the view less than I did! It was a long train.
Photo Date:  9/3/2011  Upload Date: 9/4/2011 10:31:57 PM
Location:  Saint Paul, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  BNSF 5430(C44-9W)
Views:  139   Comments: 0


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