Post by dastumer on Jul 16, 2021 13:44:16 GMT -5
In the spirit of Richard's travel photos, here's some pictures I took of some rail activity in the downtown St. Paul area today while biking. The Twin Cities have historically been a major rail hub, and while it's not as great as it used to be, there's still a lot of traffic going in and out of the major yards. BNSF, CP, and UP all meet here. Pardon the poor photography, there's only so much I can do with a phone camera without trespassing!
Union Pacific Yard (ex MP) GP15AC #720 by an automobile unloading facility and ADM plant:
This is the historic lift bridge over the Mississippi River going into downtown. It's still in use for both rail and boat traffic.
Canadian Pacific freight waiting outside of St. Paul Union Depot. 6231 is an ex Soo Line SD60 and 5047 is a rebuilt SD30C-ECO.
This is the back platform side of Union Depot. Only one platform at the very end remains in use for passenger trains, where the Amtrak Empire Builder stops occasionally. The rest have been removed or turned into bus platforms.
The only other rail traffic the depot serves is the light rail line at the main entrance.
Here's the front side of the depot. I couldn't get it all into the frame. It's sad that such a grand building doesn't see much use anymore outside of event hosting.
The trains of the river; barges on the waterfront.
This is the Canadian Pacific yard east of downtown. If you zoom in really far just to the right of the large building in the center, you can barely make out a loco still in white Soo Line paint.
Here's the highlight that I caught just as I was about to leave. Unfortunately, due to the fencing, I couldn't get a good view. However you can clearly see a loco still in BN green leading the train. The trailing unit is also a rare sight. It's BNSF 144, an ex ATSF GP60M.
There were some well-worn cars still in Soo Line paint in the consist that I didn't get any pictures of.
On the way home I got to see the rooftop of a green transfer caboose. It was on the other side of a highway-esque road though so it was too dangerous to cross and get a better look.
Union Pacific Yard (ex MP) GP15AC #720 by an automobile unloading facility and ADM plant:
This is the historic lift bridge over the Mississippi River going into downtown. It's still in use for both rail and boat traffic.
Canadian Pacific freight waiting outside of St. Paul Union Depot. 6231 is an ex Soo Line SD60 and 5047 is a rebuilt SD30C-ECO.
This is the back platform side of Union Depot. Only one platform at the very end remains in use for passenger trains, where the Amtrak Empire Builder stops occasionally. The rest have been removed or turned into bus platforms.
The only other rail traffic the depot serves is the light rail line at the main entrance.
Here's the front side of the depot. I couldn't get it all into the frame. It's sad that such a grand building doesn't see much use anymore outside of event hosting.
The trains of the river; barges on the waterfront.
This is the Canadian Pacific yard east of downtown. If you zoom in really far just to the right of the large building in the center, you can barely make out a loco still in white Soo Line paint.
Here's the highlight that I caught just as I was about to leave. Unfortunately, due to the fencing, I couldn't get a good view. However you can clearly see a loco still in BN green leading the train. The trailing unit is also a rare sight. It's BNSF 144, an ex ATSF GP60M.
There were some well-worn cars still in Soo Line paint in the consist that I didn't get any pictures of.
On the way home I got to see the rooftop of a green transfer caboose. It was on the other side of a highway-esque road though so it was too dangerous to cross and get a better look.
Well ... mine's a Varsity, with Continental upgrades. Yours looks like an early Continental, judging by the contour of the aluminum bars, and quick release, center-pull brakes. It's rare to see one with fenders.
