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4/24/2024
 
 
 
 
 
By:Tony Held
Dates:11/20/2010 - 10/30/2022
Album Info:Train stuff from beyond the Twin Cities.
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"This Way To The Twins"
Title:  "This Way To The Twins"
Description:  Sign says it all; can be found on all the station platforms on the southbound track side.
Photo Date:  3/31/2012  Upload Date: 3/31/2012 6:46:27 PM
Location:  Big Lake, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  63   Comments: 0
Glimpse Of Geese
Title:  Glimpse Of Geese
Description:  A glimpse of the bronze geese sculpture at Big Lake station as view from the upper level of car 711. Note the office commuter-friendly table in the center foreground.
Photo Date:  3/31/2012  Upload Date: 3/31/2012 6:58:06 PM
Location:  Big Lake, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  127   Comments: 0
Glimpse Of The Coupler
Title:  Glimpse Of The Coupler
Description:  A glimpse of the coupler linking two of the cars on the afternoon train to Marine. The train was stopped when this picture was taken so the engine could run around for the return trip to Osceola.
Photo Date:  6/2/2012  Upload Date: 6/5/2012 8:06:42 AM
Location:  Marine on Saint Croix, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  81   Comments: 0
"Two Harbors, Grantsburg, Mora ..."
Title:  "Two Harbors, Grantsburg, Mora ..."
Description:  Mail slots in MTM's Northern Pacific RPO 1102.
Photo Date:  6/2/2012  Upload Date: 6/5/2012 8:07:05 AM
Location:  Marine on Saint Croix, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  240   Comments: 0
"Hinckley, North Branch, Hugo, Moose Lake ..."
Title:  "Hinckley, North Branch, Hugo, Moose Lake ..."
Description:  More of the mail slots in MTM's RPO car.
Photo Date:  6/2/2012  Upload Date: 6/5/2012 8:07:24 AM
Location:  Marine on Saint Croix, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  227   Comments: 0
This Must Be The Joint
Title:  This Must Be The Joint
Description:  The station sign for Marine on St. Croix, MN. The normal endpoint for westbound trips on the Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway.
Photo Date:  6/2/2012  Upload Date: 6/3/2012 9:26:17 PM
Location:  Marine on Saint Croix, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  79   Comments: 0
Almost There
Title:  Almost There
Description:  The crew aboard MTM's Soo Line-painted geep nurse it along the rickety rails of the passing siding at Marine in order to couple up for the northbound return trip to Osceola.
Photo Date:  6/2/2012  Upload Date: 6/3/2012 9:27:03 PM
Location:  Marine on Saint Croix, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  MNTX 559(GP7)
Views:  222   Comments: 0
On Down The Wobbly Rails
Title:  On Down The Wobbly Rails
Description:  The crew aboard Minnesota Transportation Museum 559 (a Soo Line-painted GP7) runs long-hood forward down the passing siding at Marine to couple onto the opposite end for the trip back to Osceola.
Photo Date:  6/2/2012  Upload Date: 6/3/2012 9:27:21 PM
Location:  Marine on Saint Croix, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  MNTX 559(GP7)
Views:  186   Comments: 0
I Could Not Resist
Title:  I Could Not Resist
Description:  I couldn't resist a shot of the nose of MTM's geep framed in the doorway of their NP RPO car.
Photo Date:  6/2/2012  Upload Date: 6/4/2012 1:48:14 PM
Location:  Marine on Saint Croix, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  MNTX 559(GP7)
Views:  185   Comments: 0
Osceola, Ho!
Title:  Osceola, Ho!
Description:  A view from MTM's Northern Pacific RPO car as the train heads back to Osceola.
Photo Date:  6/2/2012  Upload Date: 6/3/2012 9:26:39 PM
Location:  Marine on Saint Croix, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives:  MNTX 559(GP7)
Views:  328   Comments: 0
Nice Seeing One Along Active Rails!
Title:  Nice Seeing One Along Active Rails!
Description:  Near Marine on St. Croix the train passes by a whistle post. Nice seeing one on an active rail line for a change; last I'd photographed was a concrete one in Dodge Center on the long-abandoned Chicago Great Western.
Photo Date:  6/2/2012  Upload Date: 6/4/2012 1:48:43 PM
Location:  Marine on Saint Croix, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  74   Comments: 0
Austin Milwaukee Road Depot, Parking Lot Side
Title:  Austin Milwaukee Road Depot, Parking Lot Side
Description:  This is the former Milwaukee Road depot in Austin. It is now divided up between a business, the local DMV, and a charity. Nice how the sign saying "The Milwaukee Road" was retained.
Photo Date:  4/12/2014  Upload Date: 4/15/2014 1:58:53 PM
Location:  Austin, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Station
Locomotives: 
Views:  137   Comments: 1
Austin Milwaukee Road Depot, Track Side
Title:  Austin Milwaukee Road Depot, Track Side
Description:  This old depot would make for a fine train excursion departure/arrival point.
Photo Date:  4/12/2014  Upload Date: 4/15/2014 1:59:14 PM
Location:  Austin, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Station,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  127   Comments: 0
From A Switch To A Track Bumper
Title:  From A Switch To A Track Bumper
Description:  A switch for a now gone spur once jutted off the former Chicago Great Western here. The site of the Cedar River bridge is in the center background.
Photo Date:  4/12/2014  Upload Date: 4/17/2014 10:14:16 PM
Location:  Austin, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  155   Comments: 0
The I-90 Bridge
Title:  The I-90 Bridge
Description:  This is the bridge which carries the former Milwaukee Road over I-90. The track at the left is the old MILW/CGW connector track now used by the Canadian Pacific to access the fragment of surviving CGW track that serves the Hormel plant.
Photo Date:  4/12/2014  Upload Date: 4/15/2014 2:15:47 PM
Location:  Austin, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  134   Comments: 0
DME 4002
Title:  DME 4002
Description:  Roster view of this classy unit.
Photo Date:  4/12/2014  Upload Date: 4/15/2014 2:30:48 PM
Location:  Austin, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  DME 4002(GP40)
Views:  186   Comments: 1
End Of Track By Hormel
Title:  End Of Track By Hormel
Description:  Here is the end of the former Chicago Great Western track that serves the Hormel plant. I wonder if that track bumper isn't adjustable depending on the traffic needs of the plant? That is an awful lot of spare track there.
Photo Date:  4/12/2014  Upload Date: 4/17/2014 9:44:47 PM
Location:  Austin, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  222   Comments: 0
I Wish More Signs Said This
Title:  I Wish More Signs Said This
Description:  This crossbuck is down by the Hormel plant. I wish more grade crossing signs said "look again" on them.
Photo Date:  4/12/2014  Upload Date: 4/15/2014 5:55:27 PM
Location:  Austin, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  106   Comments: 0
The Switch For Hormel
Title:  The Switch For Hormel
Description:  Here we are at the switch for the Hormel plant along the fragment of ex-Chicago Great Western track that exists in Austin. The site of the old CGW bridge over the Cedar River is in the center background.
Photo Date:  4/12/2014  Upload Date: 4/17/2014 10:08:08 PM
Location:  Austin, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  109   Comments: 0
The Jackson Local
Title:  The Jackson Local
Description:  The Jackson Local idles on the west side of Highway 218. I could not tell if the train was manned or not.
Photo Date:  4/12/2014  Upload Date: 4/15/2014 2:30:01 PM
Location:  Austin, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  DME 4002(GP40) SOO 4444(GP38-2) CP 4403(GP38-2)
Views:  130   Comments: 0
The Jackson Local, View Two
Title:  The Jackson Local, View Two
Description:  Another view of the Jackson Local as it sits on the west side of the Highway 218 grade crossing. The train may not have been manned. Is this a crew change spot?
Photo Date:  4/12/2014  Upload Date: 4/15/2014 2:30:25 PM
Location:  Austin, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  DME 4002(GP40) SOO 4444(GP38-2) CP 4403(GP38-2)
Views:  126   Comments: 0
Old CGW By The Hormel Plant
Title:  Old CGW By The Hormel Plant
Description:  Thanks to the needs of the Hormel plant, a piece of ex-Chicago Great Western track was kept in place even after the Chicago and North Western vacated Austin in 1984. Today the Canadian Pacific's Iowa, Chicago, and Eastern serves Hormel on these rusty but durable rails.
Photo Date:  4/12/2014  Upload Date: 4/17/2014 9:45:54 PM
Location:  Austin, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  85   Comments: 0
Looking North From The Depot
Title:  Looking North From The Depot
Description:  Here we are looking north up the old Milwaukee Road from the former MILW depot.
Photo Date:  4/12/2014  Upload Date: 4/15/2014 2:13:22 PM
Location:  Austin, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  59   Comments: 0
Looking South From The Depot
Title:  Looking South From The Depot
Description:  Here we are looking south down the old Milwaukee Road from the MILW depot (at right).
Photo Date:  4/12/2014  Upload Date: 4/15/2014 2:14:47 PM
Location:  Austin, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  48   Comments: 0
This Piece Of The CGW Still Lives
Title:  This Piece Of The CGW Still Lives
Description:  The former Chicago Great Western Austin line remains intact south of where it crossed the Milwaukee Road. These rusty rails still bear the weight of tank cars destined for Hormel.
Photo Date:  4/12/2014  Upload Date: 4/17/2014 9:45:25 PM
Location:  Austin, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  136   Comments: 0
Where The Milwaukee and the Great Western Once Joined
Title:  Where The Milwaukee and the Great Western Once Joined
Description:  This is where the connection track off the Milwaukee Road line to Iowa came in to connect with the Chicago Great Western southwest of the crossing of the two lines. Note the former signal relay box at left and some former CGW track now buried beneath weeds and small trees at right. Photographs of both can be found in my "Railway Archeology" album.
Photo Date:  4/12/2014  Upload Date: 4/17/2014 10:21:49 PM
Location:  Austin, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  103   Comments: 0
Old CGW Telegraph Pole
Title:  Old CGW Telegraph Pole
Description:  An old telegraph pole still stands along the northern half of the surviving stretch of track here.
Photo Date:  4/12/2014  Upload Date: 4/17/2014 10:19:54 PM
Location:  Austin, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  91   Comments: 0
Nice Display
Title:  Nice Display
Description:  The Preston Historical Society restored this old grain elevator and then rebuilt a couple pieces of track next to it to display this Milwaukee Road boxcar and caboose.
Photo Date:  4/12/2014  Upload Date: 4/15/2014 2:00:19 PM
Location:  Preston, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  236   Comments: 1
Where The Yard Once Was
Title:  Where The Yard Once Was
Description:  This display created by the Preston Historical Society occupies a portion of the footprint of the former Milwaukee Road yard here.
Photo Date:  4/12/2014  Upload Date: 4/15/2014 2:00:40 PM
Location:  Preston, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  RollingStock
Locomotives: 
Views:  350   Comments: 0
"Caution Rough Tracks"
Title:  "Caution Rough Tracks"
Description:  "Caution Rough Tracks" this sign located by the spur into the Hormel plant says for the benefit of people using the trail leading down to the Cedar River in the foreground.
Photo Date:  4/12/2014  Upload Date: 4/17/2014 10:15:09 PM
Location:  Austin, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  78   Comments: 0
From Refrigerated Boxcars To Tank Cars
Title:  From Refrigerated Boxcars To Tank Cars
Description:  Hormel used to have referigerated boxcars spotted on the tracks serving the plant. Now tanks cars have taken their place.
Photo Date:  4/12/2014  Upload Date: 4/15/2014 1:54:55 PM
Location:  Austin, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  RollingStock,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  101   Comments: 0
Unlocked?  Seriously?!
Title:  Unlocked? Seriously?!
Description:  This is the switch for the Hormel plant along the surviving piece of ex-CGW track used by CP to serve Hormel. The fact it is not locked floored me.
Photo Date:  4/12/2014  Upload Date: 4/17/2014 10:01:09 PM
Location:  Austin, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  123   Comments: 0
Where The Blue And Gold Once Parked
Title:  Where The Blue And Gold Once Parked
Description:  CP 4421 idles by the Rochester yard office on a lovely Indian Summer afternoon. 4421 is parked where blue and gold DM&E units sat waiting their next call to local duties once upon a time. Track in foreground leads to ex-CGW spur into the city center.
Photo Date:  10/25/2014  Upload Date: 10/26/2014 6:12:18 PM
Location:  Rochester, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  CP 4421(GP38-2)
Views:  132   Comments: 0
Under New Management
Title:  Under New Management
Description:  The Rochester yard office now sports a CP sign. The grade crossing signal box sign has not been updated, however, and still says "DM&E."
Photo Date:  10/25/2014  Upload Date: 10/26/2014 6:13:07 PM
Location:  Rochester, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Yard
Locomotives: 
Views:  70   Comments: 0
Milwaukee Road Display In Winter
Title:  Milwaukee Road Display In Winter
Description:  A chilly but clear morning sun brilliantly illuminates the Preston Historical Society's Milwaukee Road display placed beneath the town's old grain elevator. To think that the rails in the Milwaukee yard that once existed here came up during the Milwaukee Road's proverbial winter of discontent (i.e., it's third and last bankruptcy).
Photo Date:  2/27/2015  Upload Date: 2/27/2015 11:38:01 PM
Location:  Preston, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  RollingStock,Winter
Locomotives: 
Views:  308   Comments: 0
Milwaukee Shops Vintage
Title:  Milwaukee Shops Vintage
Description:  The lettering on this end of the Preston Historical Society's restored Milwaukee Road boxcar records its place of manufacture in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Photo Date:  2/27/2015  Upload Date: 2/27/2015 11:41:02 PM
Location:  Preston, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  RollingStock,Winter
Locomotives: 
Views:  117   Comments: 0
Icy Milwaukee Caboose
Title:  Icy Milwaukee Caboose
Description:  The Preston Historical Society has restored a portion of the former Milwaukee Road yard and placed a boxcar and caboose upon the rails. This old Milwaukee caboose has gotten pretty icy this winter, judging by the icicles hanging off the left side of the roof. I doubt they would be there if this caboose was still in revenue service, however, especially if the heat was on.
Photo Date:  2/27/2015  Upload Date: 2/27/2015 11:40:18 PM
Location:  Preston, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  RollingStock,Winter
Locomotives: 
Views:  119   Comments: 0
CNW/UP
Title:  CNW/UP
Description:  The CNW MNDOT sign remains on the north crossbuck of the Dixie Avenue crossing. A UP sign was added after the 1995 UP/CNW merger, but even that is out of date now that Progressive Rail is operating the remaining ex-CGW track from Northfield to Cannon Falls.
Photo Date:  4/3/2015  Upload Date: 4/9/2015 8:51:07 PM
Location:  Randolph, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  105   Comments: 1
CNW Reminder
Title:  CNW Reminder
Description:  The Dixie Avenue crossbucks retain their CNW MNDOT plates. This one is on the south crossbuck.
Photo Date:  4/3/2015  Upload Date: 4/9/2015 8:49:57 PM
Location:  Randolph, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
Locomotives: 
Views:  107   Comments: 0
Through The Heart Of Downtown Rochester
Title:  Through The Heart Of Downtown Rochester
Description:  The former Dakota. Minnesota, and Eastern's ex-CGW spur line to Rochester's south side crosses the Zumbro River on this fancy bridge. A view up the line from this locale reveals how trains wend through the heart of downtown Rochester here.
Photo Date:  4/3/2015  Upload Date: 4/5/2015 3:03:26 PM
Location:  Rochester, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Bridge,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  119   Comments: 0
The Depot Still Stands
Title:  The Depot Still Stands
Description:  Though shorn of the main line tracks which once graced its front, the former CGW depot still stands, bearing silent witness to the rail renaissance Progressive Rail is bringing to the area.
Photo Date:  4/3/2015  Upload Date: 4/3/2015 11:06:43 PM
Location:  Randolph, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Yard,Station
Locomotives: 
Views:  89   Comments: 0
The Only Monument To The Winona & Western
Title:  The Only Monument To The Winona & Western
Description:  The Winona & Western (nee Winona and Southwestern) was an 1890s regional railroad which ran from Winona, Minnesota, to Osage, Iowa, with a branch to Rochester. The W&W later was acquired by the Chicago Great Western, which chipped away the most arduous portions of the road but kept the rest until the Chicago and North Western all but eliminated the route of this upstart railroad. Happily, a portion of the W&W/CGW remains in operation as a spur line to industries located on Rochester's south side. The old W&W/CGW depot survived as well. Today it is a Mexican restaurant. Boy would I love to photograph a train passing this station.
Photo Date:  4/3/2015  Upload Date: 4/5/2015 2:54:06 PM
Location:  Rochester, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Station,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  93   Comments: 0
Former CGW At Dixie Avenue
Title:  Former CGW At Dixie Avenue
Description:  We are looking east along the former CGW Northfield-Red Wing (Northfield-Cannon Falls today) at Dixie Avenue. Time seems to have stood still here, making it seem like it is still the 1970s, what with the jointed rail and the CNW MNDOT plate on the crossbuck.
Photo Date:  4/3/2015  Upload Date: 4/9/2015 8:33:46 PM
Location:  Randolph, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  135   Comments: 0
CGW Yard And Depot
Title:  CGW Yard And Depot
Description:  Here is the former CGW yard and depot as they look today. Note the PGR 74 in the left center background.
Photo Date:  4/3/2015  Upload Date: 4/9/2015 8:30:50 PM
Location:  Randolph, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Yard,Station,Track
Locomotives:  PGR 74(SW1500)
Views:  312   Comments: 0
Former CGW Yard -- Looking South Towards Cannon Falls Line
Title:  Former CGW Yard -- Looking South Towards Cannon Falls Line
Description:  We are looking south from the former CGW yard towards the Northfield-Cannon Falls line. The former CGW main was at the left.
Photo Date:  4/3/2015  Upload Date: 4/9/2015 8:32:28 PM
Location:  Randolph, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Yard,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  143   Comments: 0
The Former Crossing -- And Site Of Much More
Title:  The Former Crossing -- And Site Of Much More
Description:  Here is where the Chicago Great Western main line once crossed the Northfield-Red Wing (today Northfield-Cannon Falls) line. To the right is the site of the first depot the CGW had here. Behind the power pole in the left background is where the Milwaukee Road's competing Red Wing-Northfield branch once was located. There sure is a lot of Minnesota railroad history here in Randolph.
Photo Date:  4/3/2015  Upload Date: 4/9/2015 8:34:58 PM
Location:  Randolph, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  116   Comments: 0
Former Winona & Western/Chicago Great Western Depot -- North Side
Title:  Former Winona & Western/Chicago Great Western Depot -- North Side
Description:  The north side of the former W&W/CGW depot. Note the historical marker in the right foreground. It provides a sharp contrast to the signs touting various beers in the thriving Mexican restaurant which now occupies the structure.
Photo Date:  4/3/2015  Upload Date: 4/5/2015 2:56:35 PM
Location:  Rochester, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Station
Locomotives: 
Views:  46   Comments: 0
From the CGW to PGR
Title:  From the CGW to PGR
Description:  Randolph has gone from the Chicago Great Western to Progressive Rail. May PGR continue to grow and expand its operations here -- up to and including having to rebuild some of the old CGW main north of town.
Photo Date:  4/3/2015  Upload Date: 4/3/2015 10:58:43 PM
Location:  Randolph, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Yard
Locomotives:  PGR 74(SW1500)
Views:  179   Comments: 1
I Knew They Would Have One Of These Here
Title:  I Knew They Would Have One Of These Here
Description:  I had a hunch Progressive Rail would be stationing a locomotive at Randolph. I was proved correct. I was delighted to find it was one of their original units.
Photo Date:  4/3/2015  Upload Date: 4/3/2015 10:58:08 PM
Location:  Randolph, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Roster,Yard
Locomotives:  PGR 74(SW1500)
Views:  355   Comments: 0
Historical Marker At Rochester Depot
Title:  Historical Marker At Rochester Depot
Description:  The Friends Of Mayowood put up this neat historical marker down by the former W&W/CGW depot.
Photo Date:  4/3/2015  Upload Date: 4/5/2015 3:00:08 PM
Location:  Rochester, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories:  Station,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  89   Comments: 0


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