Along the Route of the Milwaukee Road, Volume 1

C. Vision's cameras take you on a journey of discovery across the former Milwaukee Road mainline from St. Paul, Minnesota to Summit, SD. The line's current operators, Canadian Pacific, Minnesota Commercial, Twin Cities & Western, and BNSF keep this line active and interesting, and we will see all of them in operation. We take a look back to TC&W's operations in the early to mid-1990's, as well as current operations. A cabride from Hopkins to St. Paul Yard aboard TC&W's short-lived SD20's, through the Depression Corridor and over Short Line Bridge, is something you won't want to miss! Along with the SD20's, we capture TC&W's classic fleet of GP10's in operation before they were replaced by Caterpillar GP20C's in 1997. From 2007-2009, we return to the TC&W to document new unit train operations, along with a renaissance of older EMD power on TC&W turn jobs. RRV&W GP10's, leased CP GP9's, TC&W's GP39-2's, and the occasional CAT are all seen hauling freight across Minnesota. Coal trains for Southern Minnesota Beet Sugar Cooperative in Ruebel began operating with BNSF run-through power during the production period, making for interesting subjects on a line that hadn't seen coal trains for many years. SOO Line SD60's were the primary power for ethanol trains on the TC&W at the time we shot this program, and you'll see several of these trains in operation. Not to be outdone, BNSF puts on a spectacular show with a variety of motive power that will not be seen again! SD40-2's were the most common power on through freights, although many other rare examples of BNSF motive power were seen leading trains. Several BNSF first-generation diesels are seen in action, as well as BNSF's only operating SDP40, which was captured leading a phosphate train with two Montana Rail Link SD45's. We're sure you'll enjoy seeing this line operating as the Milwaukee Road intended, as BNSF freights kept the jointed rail polished on their journeys to and from the Pacific Northwest and Montana. From the Mississippi River Valley, to the surprising beauty of the Coteau Des Prairies landscape of eastern South Dakota, this program comprehensively documents the unique operations, motive power, and scenery across this historic route.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• milwaukee
• road
• minnesota
• south
• dakota
• BNSF
• TC&W
• commercial
• canadian
• pacific
• twin
• cities
• and
• western
• glencoe
• rueble
• appleton
• willmar
• ortonville
• milbank
• summit
• hill
• short
• line
• jointed
• rail
• big
• stone
• city

[BNSF6127]

@threeforty7 Thanks for the link! Those classic shots were excellent. I'd love to see more from that area, new or old. I'll keep checking your Flickr page periodically for updates.

[threeforty7]

Check out my flickr page for a few photos of the Odessa grain elevator fire in the 70s, and also a massive train wreck that happened in Odessa in the 1960s.

flickr.com/photos/shaft311

[BNSF6127]

@threeforty7 My "grandparents crossing" was in Algona, IA. I know exactly what you are talking about. I always loved stopping by Odessa while I was shooting in the area -it's a unique small town. The Milwaukee station sign in town made Odessa a "must do" shot for the video. I'm glad you enjoyed the show! -Mike, C. Vision

[threeforty7]

The easternmost Odessa crossing is responsible for my love of and fascination with trains. This video brought back a lot of memories. I've paced trains on that same stretch between Correl and Odessa plenty of times.

[threeforty7]

This is a great video. My grandparents live in Odessa, so over the years of growing up there I've done tons of trainwatching and then train chasing when I became old enough to drive. Even got a ride on a TC&W locomotive through Odessa when I was 12 in 1992 by an engineer who is a family friend and who shall remain nameless :D.

[NWRailfan01]

@lordbemylight This I can not argue. I know that lines are abandoned for more streamlined railroading. Some business have either bankrupted, moved or whatever and the less businesses using that line the line just dries up. It makes me sad too.

[lordbemylight]

One of the saddest words you can hear is "abandoned railroads".

[2wowee]

10 stars from me, excellent video. thanks

[mm6955]

nice video i live in appleton,mn

[BNSF9250]

to you i say this your lucky to have seen so much of the old power throughout your lifetime and even in 2008 . now its all in longterm storage.