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Railfanning Hotspots in the
Twin Cities
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TWIN PORTS RAILFAN
GUIDE
Here are some different directions to railfanning spots
in the Minneapolis - St Paul area. All of the maps link back to Mapquest so you
can get more personalized directions for your railfanning. This guide generally
will move from west to east...
Maps
AAA
maps of the area can be helpful in finding your way and often show rail lines.
The best state-wide map with rail lines is the Explore MN state road map, most
every line listed and it is updated yearly, best part is the price free! Look
for it at rest stops along the interstate freeways.
Driving tips
for the Twin Cities
Not from the area? Here are some tips to help
you out...
Rush Hour: 6:30-9 am, 3:30-6:30 pm though it can
easily go all day and late into the night
Traffic Reports: 88.5 FM on
the 10s, the best in the cities - they will report every accident and
jam
Transit Buses: They have the right of way by law
and you don't want to mess with a 60' long artic...
Snow Plows - it
is simple, stay back and stay alive. Give these folks room to work, they often
work as plow gangs so if there is one another most likely is coming.
Road
Construction - when you see ORANGE slow down! If it is warm out
chances are you'll find construction crews at work on the roads. Please give
them room, they are only trying to do their jobs!!
Train Freq.
Ratings:
Low/Light - 0-10 trains daily
Medium/Moderate - 10-30
trains daily
High - 30+ trains daily
Note that this is variable and
subject to change...
Safety:
Don't be stupid - trains
can come on any track at anytime. Locomotives have a lot of power - if you come
in contact with one the train will always win. Stay clear of the tracks, don't
trespass, and stay safe.
TCW terminal -
Hopkins
This is where TCW stores their Twin Cities power - usually two
to four units are stored here when the train crews are not working. Get off 169
at Excelsior Blvd. The terminal (well, office with service trucks) is across
the tracks west of 169, there is a coffee shop in the old depot on the east
side of the highway.
Train count: Low but storage point for TCW
power in the Cities
MNS Junction &
Soo-BNSF Diamond - Crystal
Where the MNS line and Soo Paynesville Sub
split. One can see MP15s on the MNS train and all sorts of CP and Soo power on
the mainline. Easy to find and observe from either parallel street or near-by
park. Take 169 to 49th Ave; go west to Douglas (end of the road) and north to
the tracks, junction a few hundred feet west. BNSF diamond is just west, can be
viewed from parking lot. Note though that this lot is a part of Master Waste
Services and Master Trucking and may be in active use at any time.
Trains: Moderate to high. Mainline sees regular trains, traffic
ranges from medium to heavy. Lone round trip train on the MNS line (0630 MNS
train) and TCW daily turn in the summers. One round trip on the BNSF
line
**Side note** For those of you that know Mel-O honey, they are based
right here, look for the sign on Douglas Drive at the tracks.
Northtown Yard - Fridley/Columbia Hts/Minneapolis
BNSF diesel shops located at East Rvier Road and 42nd Ave in Fridley.
The yard itself is in Minneapolis, Friedly, and Columbia Heights. A large
bridge crosses over the yard. Either side of the bridge has walking room, on
the north is a large shoulder, on the south there is a sidewalk. These will
give you the best views of the shops and motive power.
Train
count - moderate to heavy, more for motive power
photos
.
35th Ave Bridge -
Minneapolis
This bridge is a good place to watch the traffic in and out
of the yard, observe the Soo Line bridge across the yard. Not to mention BNSF
stores their old power under the bridge. And easy parking can be found on
either side.
Train count: High with yard trains and the
mainline traffic all in one place.
University Junction - Minneapolis
On the interesction of
University Ave NE and 27th Ave - it is east of the interestion to the tracks.
Parking available in the business lots. Lots of CP and BNSF traffic, many
tracks here and Northtown and Shoreham yards all add to the action. CP, BNSF,
TCW, UP all go through here regularly, CN-WC is close by on the Humboldt
transfers and MNNR comes in but usually at night. ICE may still serve Shoreham
Intermodal. The Malt One SW1 located on NE 30th Ave. Due south of Northtown and
35th Ave.
Train count - heavy, esp in the afternoons.
14th and 15th Ave -
Minneapolis
This is a pair of under and over passes, 14th is a ped
bridge and 15th is a road underpass. The north end of BNSF's Union Yard is here
and offers a good place to railfan, especially on the ped bridge. Day-time
parking is tricky though when the Univeristy is in session. The bridge over
15th still has old GN logos painted on it under the rust.
Trains: Moderate to high
Dinkytown
trench - Minneapolis
This is home to the S4 on campus and also a small
yard served by the MNNR for the Pillsbury A Mill and other grain elevators. In
the winter it can often be found shuttling coal trains in and out of the coal
powered steam plant, when not in use it is stored in the coal-unloading shed.
On the right will be a huge pedestrian bridge painted maroon and gold. Under it
is the trench and coal plant. Parking is ahead to the right but often limited.
At this point you will be on campus and parking is tight. It may be easier to
go back into Dinkytown, park, and walk over. Yes, it is legitimate as there is
a very popular walking trail down there - and have a look from the ground. Just
be sure and look out for the trains as they cross the pedestrian path and
access road a few times.
Trains: Low
Map - see above
(15th Ave map) near SE 14th Ave and River Road.
Union
Yard - Minneapolis
BNSF's smaller on-campus yard. Take University or 4th
and continue to 15th. Take a right here, you can't miss the McDonalds at the
intersection. From here continue on 15th until just before the rail bridge.
Take a right and follow the road past the baseball diamonds and you will be
paralleling the yard. Parking is free - just remember to park only where it is
legal as it is amazing how fast one can get ticketed on campus.
Trains: Moderate and views are sometimes blocked by stored
cars...
MAP - See above(15th Ave), yard along SE 8th St.
Milwaukee Road Depot, Pillsbury A Mill and Stone Arch Bridge-
Minneapolis
This is site of the historic GN Stone Arch Bridge and the
historic A Mill. Drive along 4th or University and watch for signs to the Stone
Arch Bridge - it is very close to Central Ave. The A Mill is on the edge of the
parking area for the bridge and the walking paths around it.
Trains: None - the last one left the A Mill in 2003 and the
Bridge has been a walking path since the 90's. The Depot is now a hotel,
conference center, and has a skating rink under the train shed.
A
Mill - Off of Main St near University and Central
Milwaukee Road
Depot - Downtown Minneapolis at Washington and 3rd
Bridge -
connects the two (essentially) over the river
Talmage
Ave - Minneapolis
This is one of the few road crossings of the BNSF
mainline from Northtown to St Paul. This double track line sees regular BNSF
and Soo trains. Parking along Talmage is usually plentiful.
Trains: High
St Anthony Junction -
Minneapolis
Located just east of 280 and Kasota/Energy Park Drive this
is where BNSF and MNNR cross. Can be a good place to see MNNR's GE and Alcos in
service and the huge UP coal trains that use their line with helpers to get to
the WC.
Trains: Frequent on the BNSF line, a few daily on the
MNNR including the UP trains
East Minneapolis
The old
yards here are now home to some light UP traffic as well as the RoadRailer
loading/unloading areas. One can often find UP power laid up here. Take 280 to
Kasota, go west about a mile and you'll find the faciluties
Trains: Moderate
MAP - see above (St Anthony), just a
few hundred yards west
Como-Harriet Streetcar line -
Minneapolis
A classic ride on a good selection of Twin City Rapid
Transit streetcars including their newest addition, a PCC car. This short line
is scenic and a good way to spend an hour or so as you might like to try shoot
some photos from around the area and the depot.
Trains: Every
15 minutes when in service
Hiawatha Light Rail line - Minneapolis
You can follow the tracks easily to downtown and south Mpls, from
there they go to the airport and mall. Along 5th St downtown, Hwy 55 in South
Minneapolis from Franklin to 50th St station. The mile and a half tunnel under
the airport is a highlight of the ride as is the elevated section through the
Lake Street area. Parallel walk and bike path from downtown and past 50th St.
station makes for easy photography
Trains: High - every 5-10
minutes depending on time of the day and day of the week.
Click here for a
map
Hiawatha
Switching District - Minneapolis
Easy to find, along Highway 55 south
of downtown just past Lake St this canyon of grain elevators is served by the
MNNR. Across Hwy 55 is the Hiawatha Line which opened in 2004. Creative
photography along here can be achieved with the elevators, which are hard to
find in most big cities.
Trains: two daily switch jobs in the
busy season plus switchers at the General Mills and Scheier plants at 37th and
35th.
Amtrak
station - St Paul
Home for the Empire Builder. Exit I-94 at
Cretin/Vandalia. Turn north (towards RockTenn paper) and turn right on
University, left on Transfer road. Trains come at 7am [eastbound Empire
Builder] and 10pm [w/b Builder], leave at 7.35am and close to 11pm. But you may
see a late train, it is helpful to call ahead to see when the trains are
scheduled to come through that day.
Train count: Moderate -
MNNR uses this to get to their yard - the stations sits between the roundhouse
and yard.
MNNR
Roundhouse - St Paul
Alco heaven - lots of Alcos and GE's based out of
this classic roundhouse. Very close to the Amtrak station, instead of left on
Transfer go right (road turns into Cleveland) The roundhouse is ¼ mile
on the left. Check in at the office to get permission to shoot the trains -
most of the power is stored outside.
Train count - Moderate
plus lots of classic power
MNNR A Yard - St
Paul
Here you can watch the Alcos and one of the BN/UP mains. Bridges at
either end on Transfer Road [just north of the Amtrak station] and another on
Raymond - to get to this one take either Energy Park Drive or University to
Raymond.
Train count: Moderate at Raymond as it includes the
BNSF line under the same bridge
Midway
Stadium - St Paul
Home to the Saints, this baseball is played the
way is it supposed to be, wild and outside. Also, both of the double tracked St
Paul and Midway subdivisions plus BNSF's Midway Intermodal yard border the
park, making for a great mix of baseball and railfanning. Located on Energy
Park Drive just west of Snelling.
Train count: High - with
four mainline tracks you're bound to see plenty of trains
Bandana
Square - St Paul
When you see the steam locomotive on the left marking
the Bandana Square's entrances you know you're there. Inside the old NP shops
is a huge O Scale model railroad. The parking ramp here also offers a good
overhead viewing spot of the BNSF/Soo main and it's free! Bandana Square is in
the old Como Shops on the 2nd floor, the Como Shops bookstore is below with a
huge selection of rail books, timetables, and more.
Train count
- High
Black Bear
- 831 Como Avenue, St Paul
Fomerly home to the Black Bear Café
this site still hosts the parking lot that is trackside and is an easy place to
camp out and watch the trains cruise past. BNSF double track mainline with CP
action as well - everything from intermodal to ore trains and more.
Trains: high - and it seems if you are on a streak it will
stay that way on this line….
Jackson St Roundhouse (MN Transp. Museum) - St Paul
This is a great
addition to the rail scene in the area and has really come a long way in the
last couple years. With a great display inside the roundhouse as well as
outside this is a great place to spend the afternoon, even on the brisk winter
days. You can even ride on a caboose for a short 15-minute trip to from the
roundhouse, over the turntable to the edge of their property and back. On busy
days there will be BN and UP trains on the Midway subdivision next to the
roundhouse.
Trains: Moderate
Robert
Street Bridge - St Paul
Historic Lift Bridge in downtown St Paul on the
UP line. Hard to miss and makes for good photos. Easy to find from Kellogg
downtown…
Trains: Low to moderate, but with extremely
slow track speeds it gives some time to set up if you do see one
East Hoffman and Pig's Eye - St Paul
Take 94 to eastbound 694.
Go south on 94. Go into St Paul, across the Mississippi thru downtown. Get off
@ Hwy 10/61 and go south about ½ mile to Warner road. Go right on Warner
till you come to a large bridge over lots of tracks. Exit immediately after the
bridge; it is named something like Child's road.
To get to Pig's Eye
shops go straight past the CP entrance sign and stay on the public road. It
is public till the fork so this is fair game for pics, it offers nice views of
the ready tracks and light repair shops.
To get to Hoffman go
back under the bridge on the way to leave, but swerve off onto the service road
on right just before you get back of signal boxes. That too is public** and is
open for shots. This is our best spot, onto Warner Rd. The lot is by a
collection of tracks with almost all of our trains passing thru here. The
bluffs make a great backdrop!
**Technically it is public but some railroad
cops still think it is private - just a head's up that you may encounter them
at this location
Trains High
Newport & Red Rock Spur -
Newport
Good views, not very scenic but not hard to park on the
street and watch the parade of trains. Highlights include the Soo scrap job,
which is one of the last holdouts for local cabooses everyday. This train
serves Newport and Northstar Steel (which has its own switchers - located about
a mile north) plus Peavey (also with a switcher - follow the road around the
left of Northstar to the end of the line) weekdays. Just off Hwy 61 and 12th
alongside the river is the parallel road.
Trains: high
traffic from BNSF, Soo, plus ICE and Amtrak's Empire Builder
Savage & Port
Cargill
Along Highway 13 west of 35W one can find a large amount of
grain and cement terminals that employ switchers - Cargill, Lehigh Cement (at
Cliff Rd and 35W), Bunge, Harvest States and more all are in this short stretch
of road.
Trains: Low frequency but lots of industrial
switchers
Independent
Locomotive Service - Bethal
This is a locomotive rebuilding and
leasing company that serves the region with lease power - they specialize in
shortline and industrial sized power. Their shops often have locomotives out
back waiting for work. Located on the BNSF line heading to Duluth. Take MN 65
north from I-694 to County 24 / 237th Av. (About 25 miles) and turn left. Turn
right on County 73 / University Av. Extension, and watch for their facility on
the left on Main St (about a block north of 237th)
Trains: Moderate
- but can offer good shots of ILS power at the shops
MAP COMING
SOON
Coon
Creek - Coon Rapids
Just north of Northtown this is the splitting point
for the BNSF - west is St Cloud and eventually Seattle, north is Duluth and the
Twin Ports. Easy viewing from public property.
Trains: frequent on
the transcontinental route, plus fewer on the Duluth route though one will see
trains from UP and CP on this line.
MAP COMING
SOON
Westminster - St Paul
One of the few places
with rail tunnels in the area. BNSF tunnels but one can see CP and UP use the
area as well. Interesting views can be had from the south side of the area from
the LaFayette Av. overpass. Parking lots are on either side of the bridge
Trains: Moderate to high
MAP COMING
SOON
Radio Stations
When you are waiting for those trains
you need something to listen to... Here is a list of the radio stations the
club radio is often tuned into when working on the model railroad or
trackside...
| 770 & 106.5 |
Radio K - The U's award winning
station, from indie rock to punk rock, reggae to rap, they play it. 770 during
daylight hours, otherwise tune in to 106.5 in the inner city |
| 90.3 & 106.7 |
KFAI - Fresh Air Radio - world
beat afternoons are great and plenty of other eclectic shows. Listen to 90.3 on
the westside, 106.5 on the eastside |
| 91.1 |
MN Public Radio and NPR -
the famous Car Talk is at 10 am Sat., 1 pm Sun.... |
| 89.9 |
KMOJ - Heart and Soul of the
Twin Cities R&B plus jazz, reggae, & community news |
| 88.5 |
Jazz88 is the one and only
station for complete traffic during the rush - listen on the 10's |
| 107.5 |
¡Es K-BUENA - todo el
latino toda la hora! |
| 830 |
WCCO Home of the Minnesota Twins
- baseball and trains go together so well |
There is also plenty of talk and other
commercial radio in the cities - just surf the dial or try
http://www.osceolawis.com/links/News/Radio.htm
- it is almost up to date in this era of ever changing commercial stations...
MN Railroad Radio Research
For great current scanner info
from around the state
click
here
Note - scanner use in moving road vehicles is not allowed unless
one holds a permit
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