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12/23/2024
 
 
 
 
 
By:Tom Dethmers
Dates:2/1/1980 - 12/31/1987
Album Info:Soo Line/Milwaukee Road/CNW/BN and other shots from around this area.
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Milwaukee Road Sprint train westbound
Title:  Milwaukee Road Sprint train westbound
Description:  Early in the careers of the Sprint train,here is one arriving at St. Paul
Photo Date:  12/29/1979  Upload Date: 7/9/2016 11:09:54 AM
Location:  St. Paul, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  MILW 155(SD40-2)
Views:  314   Comments: 1
Rock Island Transfer
Title:  Rock Island Transfer
Description:  Here comes a transfer to BN or Soo at Daytons Bluff yard
Photo Date:  12/29/1979  Upload Date: 7/9/2016 11:06:02 AM
Location:  St. Paul, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  CRIP 273(U28B)
Views:  393   Comments: 0
Rock Island Transfer
Title:  Rock Island Transfer
Description:  Westbound RI transfer to either Soo or BN passing Daytons Bluff yard shortly before the shutdown of the RI System. I had just bought my new Pentax K1000 and these were some of the first pictures I took with it in February 1980.
Photo Date:  2/15/1980  Upload Date: 6/21/2016 10:54:47 AM
Location:  Daytons Bluff, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Scenic,Action
Locomotives:  CRIP 4799(SD40-2)
Views:  469   Comments: 0
Rock Island caboose
Title:  Rock Island caboose
Description:  A well worn RI caboose passes the BN Daytons Bluff yard office shortly before the end of the RI in Minnesota.
Photo Date:  2/15/1980  Upload Date: 6/21/2016 10:56:41 AM
Location:  Daytons Bluff, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  358   Comments: 1
Rock Island transfer
Title:  Rock Island transfer
Description:  Heading into the sunset, literally and figuratively the RI transfer heads west to Soo or BN in the last month of operations in Minnesota.
Photo Date:  2/15/1980  Upload Date: 10/28/2016 2:01:11 PM
Location:  St. Paul, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Winter,Action
Locomotives:  CRIP 4799(SD40-2)
Views:  356   Comments: 0
Rock Island transfer
Title:  Rock Island transfer
Description:  I found a few more shots that got separated from the others, so here is another shot of a westbound RI transfer going through Daytons Bluff.
Photo Date:  2/15/1980  Upload Date: 10/28/2016 1:59:44 PM
Location:  St. Paul, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Winter,Action
Locomotives:  CRIP 4799(SD40-2)
Views:  433   Comments: 0
Rock Island Inver Grove Heights yard
Title:  Rock Island Inver Grove Heights yard
Description:  This is within 1 or 2 days after the shutdown of the RI system looking north into the yard with RI equipment that will await it fate for 2 or 3 years in this location. Track is beaten to a pulp and CNW has taken over the main line to Des Moines.
Photo Date:  4/2/1980  Upload Date: 6/21/2016 11:03:37 AM
Location:  Inver Grove Heights, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard
Locomotives: 
Views:  539   Comments: 4
Rock Island yard lead
Title:  Rock Island yard lead
Description:  Looking northbound into the RI South St. Paul yard after shutdown, and it is pretty easy to see that the RR was dying long before it quit. This yard lasted for storage of the trustees equipment for several years before being torn up in 1983 or 1984.
Photo Date:  4/2/1980  Upload Date: 6/21/2016 11:10:40 AM
Location:  Inver Grove Heights, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  RollingStock,Yard
Locomotives: 
Views:  378   Comments: 1
Rock Island swing bridge
Title:  Rock Island swing bridge
Description:  A different view of the track and bridge looking at the refinery on the right. This line connected with the joint BN/Milwaukee line at Newport, MN
Photo Date:  4/2/1980  Upload Date: 6/20/2016 9:50:41 AM
Location:  Inver Grove Heights, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Bridge
Locomotives: 
Views:  348   Comments: 1
Rock Island swing bridge
Title:  Rock Island swing bridge
Description:  Now on the east side of the Mississippi River looking west into South St. Paul, and a new wheel stop has been installed. The track and bridge are tired out and will never see another train.
Photo Date:  4/2/1980  Upload Date: 6/20/2016 9:53:18 AM
Location:  Inver Grove Heights, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Bridge
Locomotives: 
Views:  384   Comments: 1
CNW yard engine
Title:  CNW yard engine
Description:  Entering the CNW yard at Daytons Bluff, this little guy called MSP home for a couple years in the early 1980s. Fuel prices had skyrocketed in 1979 and 1980, and I think this may have been an attempt at fuel savings.
Photo Date:  4/1/1981  Upload Date: 6/21/2016 11:00:23 AM
Location:  Daytons Bluff, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Yard,Action
Locomotives:  CNW 1199(SL-136)
Views:  582   Comments: 1
Soo Line Depot
Title:  Soo Line Depot
Description:  The Withrow depot with a fresh covering of snow.
Photo Date:  1/15/1982  Upload Date: 7/9/2016 3:29:41 PM
Location:  Withrow, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Station
Locomotives: 
Views:  246   Comments: 0
Hooping up the orders
Title:  Hooping up the orders
Description:  The operator at Oakland Tower is handing up orders to this BN freight that is heading south to LaCrosse Wi
Photo Date:  2/15/1982  Upload Date: 7/9/2016 3:47:38 PM
Location:  St. Paul, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Winter,Signal,Action
Locomotives:  BN 6334(SD40-2)
Views:  321   Comments: 1
Soo Line Arcola High Bridge
Title:  Soo Line Arcola High Bridge
Description:  Heading eastbound, a train for Chicago passes over the 1911 built high bridge on a dreary day.
Photo Date:  2/20/1982  Upload Date: 10/29/2016 10:22:51 AM
Location:  Arcola, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Bridge,Winter,Action
Locomotives:  SOO 761(SD40-2)
Views:  334   Comments: 0
IC Passenger Station Freeport, IL
Title:  IC Passenger Station Freeport, IL
Description:  Looking east on the IC main line from Dubuque to Chicago. The station still stands, but the line is now single tracked. This was once a stop on the Amtrak Black Hawk route in the late 70s and early 80s
Photo Date:  5/1/1982  Upload Date: 6/23/2016 12:12:19 PM
Location:  Freeport, IL
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Station
Locomotives: 
Views:  288   Comments: 0
CNW westbound freight
Title:  CNW westbound freight
Description:  Coming through Oakdale, MN a westbound train will be entering the double track at Hazel Park Jct in about 1/4 mile and arrive in East St. Paul to be crew changed.
Photo Date:  5/15/1982  Upload Date: 10/29/2016 2:18:28 PM
Location:  Oakdale, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  CNW 6872(SD40-2)
Views:  248   Comments: 0
Amtrak North Star #9
Title:  Amtrak North Star #9
Description:  Midway Depot in St. Paul in the summer of 1982, as a healthy 7 car train gets ready to depart to Duluth, MN at 0900.
Photo Date:  7/1/1982  Upload Date: 6/20/2016 9:55:43 AM
Location:  St. Paul, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Station,Passenger
Locomotives:  AMTK 374(F40PHR)
Views:  897   Comments: 1
Amtrak North Star #9
Title:  Amtrak North Star #9
Description:  Northbound Amtrak 9 at Coon Creek, MN with the operator observing the train as it prepares to take a left on the Hinckley Sub. heading for Duluth/Superior.
Photo Date:  7/1/1982  Upload Date: 6/20/2016 11:49:59 AM
Location:  Fridley, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  AMTK 374(F40PHR)
Views:  368   Comments: 0
Amtrak North Star #9
Title:  Amtrak North Star #9
Description:  Amtrak departing north on the jointed rail of the Hinckley Sub
Photo Date:  7/1/1982  Upload Date: 6/20/2016 11:52:18 AM
Location:  Fridley, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  AMTK 374(F40PHR)
Views:  369   Comments: 0
Amtrak North Star #9
Title:  Amtrak North Star #9
Description:  Amtrak heading towards Isanti and Hinckley, MN and passing a neat old GN upper quadrant semaphore set that protected the junction with the Minneapolis to Fargo mainline.
Photo Date:  7/1/1982  Upload Date: 6/20/2016 11:56:11 AM
Location:  Fridley, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  219   Comments: 0
Lilydale Passenger train
Title:  Lilydale Passenger train
Description:  A more distant shot of the train, and alot of people taking pictures. Many things in this scene have changed, including the replacement of the high bridge in the background. 328 ran until the fall of 1999, and provided alot of enjoyment to tens of thousands of people.
Photo Date:  10/1/1982  Upload Date: 6/20/2016 12:11:29 PM
Location:  Lilydale, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Bridge,Steam,Passenger
Locomotives:  NP 328(4-6-0)
Views:  551   Comments: 1
Lilydale Passenger train
Title:  Lilydale Passenger train
Description:  Northern Pacific 328 and a small train carry hundreds of people along a short stretch of CNW industrial track along the Mississippi River. This trip was run for 2 or 3 years until the spur was abandoned and was a great and cheap way for inner city kids and their families to ride a steam train.
Photo Date:  10/1/1982  Upload Date: 6/20/2016 12:08:55 PM
Location:  Lilydale, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Scenic,Bridge,Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  708   Comments: 1
CNW Eastbound
Title:  CNW Eastbound
Description:  CNW heading through east St. Paul Yard on the route of the 400. This area has nothing left except the two main tracks, and the yard in the background used to be the CNW intermodal yard for the Twin Cities
Photo Date:  6/15/1983  Upload Date: 7/9/2016 4:13:20 PM
Location:  St. Paul, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  CNW 6864(SD40-2)
Views:  315   Comments: 1
Milwaukee Road Southbound
Title:  Milwaukee Road Southbound
Description:  Just leaving North Branch, this Milwaukee freight is about to drop the semaphore at about mp 39. This line was actually quite busy in the early to mid 80s before abandonment at this point south to Hugo.
Photo Date:  6/15/1983  Upload Date: 7/9/2016 3:27:28 PM
Location:  North Branch, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Signal,Action
Locomotives:  MILW 209(SD40-2)
Views:  363   Comments: 1
Yard/local engines
Title:  Yard/local engines
Description:  At the yard in Freeport, IL a pair of engines awaits an assignment.
Photo Date:  8/15/1983  Upload Date: 11/6/2016 1:38:23 PM
Location:  Freeport, IL
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Roster,Yard
Locomotives:  IC 9602(GP38-2) IC 8070(GP10)
Views:  475   Comments: 2
Milwaukee Road Hiawatha Unit
Title:  Milwaukee Road Hiawatha Unit
Description:  At St. Paul Yard diesel shop in late November, 1983, most likely on its first or second trip out of the paint shop
Photo Date:  11/24/1983  Upload Date: 6/22/2016 1:12:30 AM
Location:  St. Paul, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Roster
Locomotives:  MILW 559(SD10) MILW 2015(GP40)
Views:  403   Comments: 1
Eastbound BN manifest train
Title:  Eastbound BN manifest train
Description:  Eastbound train for LaCrosse, WI with business car Como heads for main two on the new track at Prescott.
Photo Date:  2/15/1984  Upload Date: 6/22/2016 9:58:38 AM
Location:  Prescott, WI
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Winter,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  289   Comments: 0
New/Old bridge 1984
Title:  New/Old bridge 1984
Description:  Eastbound BN train with business car Como rounds the curve at Prescott, WI shortly after the new lift bridge opened. Crews are busily dismantling the old track and bridge over the cold winter month, while the bridges could be closed.
Photo Date:  2/15/1984  Upload Date: 6/22/2016 9:56:42 AM
Location:  Prescott, WI
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Bridge,Winter,Track,Action
Locomotives:  BN 6368(SD40-2)
Views:  431   Comments: 0
Bridge shot old/new
Title:  Bridge shot old/new
Description:  A little better view of the work at Prescott as the old bridge is half dismantled already, and the old main line is being removed. This project eliminated a 10 mph restriction on the bridge and curve and raised it to 30 mph. You can also see the old road lift bridge that has also been removed many years ago.
Photo Date:  2/15/1984  Upload Date: 6/22/2016 10:01:32 AM
Location:  Prescott, WI
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Bridge,Winter,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  244   Comments: 0
Westbound at St. Croix Tower
Title:  Westbound at St. Croix Tower
Description:  Coming into the junction with the Milwaukee Roads Chicago to St. Paul main line, this train will swing around a sharp curve shortly and arrive in St. Paul in about 12 miles.
Photo Date:  2/15/1984  Upload Date: 6/22/2016 10:14:11 AM
Location:  Hastings, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Winter,Action
Locomotives:  BN 6399(SDP40)
Views:  341   Comments: 0
Eastbound at St. Croix Tower
Title:  Eastbound at St. Croix Tower
Description:  Never thought I would miss seeing the SD40-2s of my employer, but this train just rounding the big curve at St. Croix Tower makes me nostalgic for those days.
Photo Date:  2/15/1984  Upload Date: 6/22/2016 10:10:33 AM
Location:  Hastings, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Roster,Winter,Action
Locomotives:  BN 7052(SD40-2)
Views:  298   Comments: 0
Amtrak Empire Builder #8
Title:  Amtrak Empire Builder #8
Description:  The Builder heads around the curve towards its next stop at Red Wing, MN in about 40 miles. It was always great to watch it leave the cars/trucks in the dust in this stretch. This is where the Milwaukee Road and Burlington Northern swapped ownership of the double track main and the train is now on Milwaukee Road or Main 1 to Hastings, MN. I watched the very last North Star overnight train to Chicago pass this same location on 10/24/1981 at 2230.
Photo Date:  3/15/1984  Upload Date: 7/2/2016 2:42:40 AM
Location:  Newport, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  184   Comments: 0
Amtrak Empire Builder #8
Title:  Amtrak Empire Builder #8
Description:  A distant shot of the Empire Builder approaching at the 79 mph speed limit through Newport, MN. This scene is almost unrecognizable today as the railroad is in a trench through this area now with Hwy 61 parrallel overhead and all the xings on overpasses. I am standing close to where the tower was that protected movement to the Rock Island RR and the crossovers.
Photo Date:  3/15/1984  Upload Date: 7/2/2016 2:36:47 AM
Location:  Newport, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Passenger,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  202   Comments: 0
Soo Line Arcola High Bridge
Title:  Soo Line Arcola High Bridge
Description:  Eastbound grain train crossing from Minnesota to Wisconsin
Photo Date:  6/1/1984  Upload Date: 6/22/2016 1:07:07 AM
Location:  Arcola, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Scenic,Bridge,Action
Locomotives:  SOO 4441(GP38-2)
Views:  1849   Comments: 5
Soo Line westbound near Withrow.
Title:  Soo Line westbound near Withrow.
Description:  Westbound train a few miles west of the high bridge will be arriving in Withrow and then on to Shoreham yard.
Photo Date:  6/1/1984  Upload Date: 7/6/2016 5:09:23 PM
Location:  Withrow, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  SOO 771(SD40-2) SOO 743(SD40)
Views:  419   Comments: 2
Soo Line westbound to Withrow
Title:  Soo Line westbound to Withrow
Description:  The tail end of train 941 or one of the 900 series of Soo Line freights heads west at 40 mph on&the well maintained Chicago to Twin Cities main just east of Withrow, MN
Photo Date:  6/1/1984  Upload Date: 7/6/2016 5:11:30 PM
Location:  Withrow, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  169   Comments: 0
Soo Line Arcola High Bridge
Title:  Soo Line Arcola High Bridge
Description:  Eastbound grain train crossing from Minnesota to Wisconsin
Photo Date:  6/1/1984  Upload Date: 6/22/2016 1:04:38 AM
Location:  Arcola, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Scenic,Bridge,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  176   Comments: 0
Soo Line section shanty
Title:  Soo Line section shanty
Description:  Looking south on the Danbury Sub, we can see the old section and speeder houses at Markville. This section of track was out of service at this time and removed in late 1987
Photo Date:  7/15/1984  Upload Date: 10/28/2016 2:07:34 PM
Location:  Markville, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Station,Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  147   Comments: 0
Section Shanty
Title:  Section Shanty
Description:  Another shot at Markville, now looking north and you can see the passing siding. There was an unusual track arrangement where another track headed off the siding to the main and you can see the switch branching off at the turnout of the siding.
Photo Date:  7/15/1984  Upload Date: 10/28/2016 2:10:01 PM
Location:  Markville, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Track
Locomotives: 
Views:  151   Comments: 0
Brainerd Turn
Title:  Brainerd Turn
Description:  A closer shot as the train swings north towards Superior. About 15 miles west of here, the line to Brainerd and Staples splits off from the Iron Range lines.
Photo Date:  7/15/1984  Upload Date: 7/2/2016 2:10:50 AM
Location:  Boylston Junction, WI
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  BN 2109(GP38-2)
Views:  223   Comments: 2
Danbury Local southbound
Title:  Danbury Local southbound
Description:  Passing under the Wis State Hwy 35 underpass at Frederic, and they have picked up a C6 and will be stopping shortly at Luck for station work.
Photo Date:  7/19/1984  Upload Date: 6/20/2016 2:29:18 PM
Location:  Frederic, WI
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  229   Comments: 0
Danbury Local southbound
Title:  Danbury Local southbound
Description:  There was a little business left in Luck, WI also, and a short stop for some switching and a pickup and the train will be on the way to Centuria.
Photo Date:  7/19/1984  Upload Date: 6/20/2016 2:31:14 PM
Location:  Luck, WI
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Yard,Action
Locomotives:  SOO 414(GP9)
Views:  508   Comments: 0
Danbury Local southbound
Title:  Danbury Local southbound
Description:  The end of our railfan trip, as the local heads to Dresser. This line was shutdown sometime in the spring of 1986 and the rails removed in 1987 and 88.
Photo Date:  7/19/1984  Upload Date: 6/20/2016 2:32:46 PM
Location:  Luck, WI
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  201   Comments: 0
Milwaukee Road meeting Amtrak 10
Title:  Milwaukee Road meeting Amtrak 10
Description:  Northbound Milwaukee Road train meeting Amtrak 10 at Boylston crossing over to Main 1.
Photo Date:  8/1/1984  Upload Date: 6/21/2016 10:47:44 AM
Location:  Boylston Junction, WI
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Action
Locomotives:  MILW 204(SD40-2) CN 5024(SD40)
Views:  408   Comments: 0
Milwaukee Road meeting Amtrak 10
Title:  Milwaukee Road meeting Amtrak 10
Description:  Amtrak 10 coming to a brief stop to let northbound Milwaukee Road train x/o in front of them from the Hinckley Sub.
Photo Date:  8/1/1984  Upload Date: 6/21/2016 10:49:00 AM
Location:  Boylston Junction, WI
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Passenger,Action
Locomotives:  MILW 204(SD40-2) CN 5024(SD40)
Views:  280   Comments: 0
Hinckley Local northbound
Title:  Hinckley Local northbound
Description:  Before the St. Croix Valley days, the local is coming into Hinckley on the old NP route and about to drop the semaphores near I-35 and then backing their train into Hinckley yard.
Photo Date:  7/1/1985  Upload Date: 7/1/2016 9:54:43 PM
Location:  Hinckley, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Scenic,Signal,Action
Locomotives: 
Views:  362   Comments: 0
BN northbound manifest train to Superior
Title:  BN northbound manifest train to Superior
Description:  an old CBQ veteran GP30 leading a train northbound, has just left the Nemadji River bridge and in about 1/4 mile will leave the Hinckley sub for the last part of the trip to Superior yard.
Photo Date:  7/1/1985  Upload Date: 7/1/2016 10:07:25 PM
Location:  Boylston Junction, WI
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Roster,Action
Locomotives:  BN 2226(GP30) BN 1408(GP10)
Views:  508   Comments: 1
DWP Tunnel
Title:  DWP Tunnel
Description:  South portal of the DWP tunnel shortly before the tracks were removed. The DWP had moved over to the new Pokegema Yard the previous summer or fall
Photo Date:  7/15/1985  Upload Date: 6/27/2016 1:38:58 AM
Location:  West Duluth, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Tunnel
Locomotives: 
Views:  108   Comments: 0
St. Croix xing near Osceola
Title:  St. Croix xing near Osceola
Description:  Here we are looking east on the bridge and the tracks will swing hard to the left(north) to Dresser where the line used to split for Ste. St. Marie and Duluth/Superior. This line is now used by the MN Transporation Museum tourist train and the CN/CP ballast trains.
Photo Date:  7/16/1985  Upload Date: 10/29/2016 2:15:10 PM
Location:  Copas, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Scenic,Bridge
Locomotives: 
Views:  51   Comments: 0
Around the bend at Marine
Title:  Around the bend at Marine
Description:  looking east on the Soo Lines Barron Sub, this is just ahead of the St. Croix River crossing and Osceola WI is just a few miles ahead. I liked this shot of a well maintained 90 lb line, and would have loved to have seen the Duluth/Superior limited come around the corner at speed.
Photo Date:  7/16/1985  Upload Date: 10/29/2016 2:12:17 PM
Location:  Copas, MN
Author:  Tom Dethmers
Categories:  Scenic,Bridge
Locomotives: 
Views:  44   Comments: 0


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