Can anyone give me a couple of suggestions as to accessible train viewing locations in and around downtown St. Paul/Minneapolis? Museum? Thanks
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
There's an amazing museum in Duluth....if you'll be in that neighborhood.
Here's a great model train exhibit.
Real trains and street cars
https://www.google.com/search?...AA,y,p2cBs4ASDGQ;mv:[[48.1773458,-91.3493939],[43.8426403,-97.3356621]]
When I was taking some training years ago in Minneapolis, I had to spend two weekends there. Another rail fan in the class and I explored the rail yards of the Milwaukee Road, the CB&Q, Chicago Northwestern and the Minneapolis, Northfield and Southern the first weekend. It was suggested I get an Amtrak ticket and go up to Duluth the next weekend to see the museum. It was about a 3 hour trip up there and really worth the effort. The hi light is a Big Boy and its up on jacks just enough to get it off the rails. Every 15 minutes the bell rang and the whistle blew and then those massive drivers would start and very slowly turn the wheels. It is inside the museum so its nice and comfortable. There are other exhibits there as well. There was a also an operating railyard across the street and I remember getting some excellent pictures of Duluth Winnipeg and Pacific engines in the yard. That was 1983. I am sure more has been added. Well worth the trip. Bill Park
If you drive into the metro from the northwest, Rt 10, on the east side of the Mississippi, parallels a busy BNSF mainline. I always saw multiple trains there as I came into town (Fall 2021). Not much to obstruct your view, a re-purposed station or two also exist. Have fun.
Keep in mind there's two downtowns, about 10 miles apart. Each city has it's own suburbs spreading out pretty far too. Because of that, things are more spread out than you might expect.
"The Jackson Street Roundhouse", a former GN roundhouse on the north edge of downtown St. Paul, is now the home of the Minnesota Transportation Museum. It has a good selection of vintage equipment on display, and offer caboose rides on Saturdays. They also have the Osceola & St. Croix railroad, which offers fan trips out of Osceola, Wisconsin (about 40 miles NE of St. Paul) using vintage equipment.
The Minnesota Streetcar Museum (which used to be part of MTM) operates the Como-Harriet Streetcar line between Lake Harriet and Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) using restored Twin City Lines streetcars (some dating to before World War One.)
At the very end of the parking lot at St. Paul Union depot there is a nice picnic area with pavilions and tables. Highlights the end of the adjacent train yard and you can stand right up to the fence. Easy walk across the parking lot into the station if you want a snack, restroom, etc.
If you're brave enough maybe target field station in Minneapolis? Has both NorthStar commuter rail and the light rail running into it.
Picture is from Google Earth:
Attachments
Images (1)
@Bill Park posted:When I was taking some training years ago in Minneapolis, I had to spend two weekends there. Another rail fan in the class and I explored the rail yards of the Milwaukee Road, the CB&Q, Chicago Northwestern and the Minneapolis, Northfield and Southern the first weekend. It was suggested I get an Amtrak ticket and go up to Duluth the next weekend to see the museum. It was about a 3 hour trip up there and really worth the effort. The hi light is a Big Boy and its up on jacks just enough to get it off the rails. Every 15 minutes the bell rang and the whistle blew and then those massive drivers would start and very slowly turn the wheels. It is inside the museum so its nice and comfortable. There are other exhibits there as well. There was a also an operating railyard across the street and I remember getting some excellent pictures of Duluth Winnipeg and Pacific engines in the yard. That was 1983. I am sure more has been added. Well worth the trip. Bill Park
While the Depot museum in Duluth is everything it's promotors are cracking it up to be (I've been a member for a couple years), there are a couple points to note about this post. First, there is no Amtrak service from the Cities to Duluth and it's not a short drive by automobile. If you were to attempt to see it while in the Cities, I'd suggest planning an overnight trip.
Second, while the large locomotive described at the museum rivals the Big Boy and comes very close, it is not a Big Boy but rather a Yellowstone. It is, as described, just ever so slightly raised up off the track and about every fifteen minutes a recording plays, the lights come on, and the wheels turn very slowly.
Thanks for all the suggestions so far. Am in town for a dance competition (granddaughter) so short side trips close in to see trains is my main goal. The museum will be a draw for sure too. Been to Duluth, it’s nice. Is there light rail in St Paul?
Dayton's Bluff, on the St. Paul side, is probably the best place to plant yourself to just watch trains. There is a park at the top of the bluffs, and, at the bottom there is a road with a crossing. There used to be a steel signal bridge over multiple tracks near the crossing. I think there is an aluminum cantilever or signal bridge there nowadays. This is where you will likely find the most trains moving, although there can be lulls. The Empire Builder runs eastward in the morning and westward in early evening, but apparently not daily.
On the Minneapolis side, there is a street overpass at the east end of Northtown Yard, including over main tracks. But you only get BNSF trains. St. Anthony Parkway, near University Ave, NE, in Fridley. Food and restrooms in the area.
There is light rail in St Paul and it originates/terminates at Union Depot which has been beautifully restored and is, once again, the place to catch the Amtrak to Chicago. The light rail runs down the length of University Avenue, through the campus of the U of MN and into Minneapolis.
Although not "12 inch to the foot", I might suggest visiting the Twin City Model Railroad Club/Museum. They're one of the oldest model railroad clubs still around, going back to the 1930s, and their large O-scale / 2-rail layout is very impressive. There are also other smaller layouts and displays in 3-rail and other scales. It's on Transfer Road (named for the old Minnesota Transfer Ry, now Minnesota Commercial Ry, that runs nearby) a block or so north of University in the "Midway" between the downtowns.
My son was just in Minneapolis working a music concert and stayed in the former Milwaukee Road Station which has been converted into a Marriot Renaissance and Residence inn at the Depot.
He gave me a live video tour of the lobbies of all the RR Memorabilia in them but the trains don't go there anymore.
Which venue is your granddaughter's competition being held at? Like I mentioned, the Twin Cities are kinda spread out, so knowing where you'll be will make it easier to say what's close to you.
good idea, the hotel is the Holiday Inn, St Paul downtown, 175 W. 7th st, next to the River Center, where I believe the competition will be held.
Here's a behind the scenes tour of the railroad areas of St. Paul narrated by the local Sheriff.
While attending a meeting in Minneapolis I took the light rail between MSP and the Hyatt at Nicollet Mall (downtown). My associate spotted a tavern about half way between downtown and the airport where we hopped off the trains and spent some time. The Cardinal (38th & Hiawatha) had some decent food and railfanning on the main line amongst all the massive grain elevators/silos. Also at Nicollet Mall is Brits Pub (no trains) which during the summer is about the greatest place on earth!
From RiverCentre area, you're about 3 blocks away from the historic James J Hill house. You're about a mile west from St Paul Union Depot. The MTM Roundhouse / Museum (next to the BNSF mainline) and Dayton's Bluff are within 5-10 minutes by car, depending on downtown traffic. The model railroad museum is in the Midway, so maybe 15-20 min. away.
Just riding the light rail from SPUD to the end of the line at the Twins ballpark in Minneapolis and back might be fun and easy way to see the area. Depending on traffic it takes about 30-45 min. one way since the two downtowns are about 10 miles apart.
@wjstix posted:Although not "12 inch to the foot", I might suggest visiting the Twin City Model Railroad Club/Museum. They're one of the oldest model railroad clubs still around, going back to the 1930s, and their large O-scale / 2-rail layout is very impressive. There are also other smaller layouts and displays in 3-rail and other scales. It's on Transfer Road (named for the old Minnesota Transfer Ry, now Minnesota Commercial Ry, that runs nearby) a block or so north of University in the "Midway" between the downtowns.
Awesome layout and very nice and knowledgeable train people that are running it. A lot of old timers that are walking encyclopedias. They have a spectacular model of the Cities' rivers and bridges and great stories behind the members who built them. I have not seen their new layout/location yet, but I'm sure it is impressive. Check their schedule, though, because they are mostly open on weekends only.
The Duluth museum is great but that is a few hours north of the Twin Cities. Well worth the time sand money to visit.
If you go to St Paul Union Depot, a good railfanning place is on the other side o the elevated tracks serving the depot. You can walk under the tracks on Sibley street and cross Shepard Road. There's a narrow grassy park-area between Shepard Rd and the Mississippi River. The elevated tracks near SPUD is the old Milwaukee Road mainline to Minneapolis and sees a fair number of trains. (You can go to Google Maps and search on "Lambert's Landing St. Paul MN".)
Might be a bit late, but last night one of our local TV news shows ran a story on the Minnesota Transportation Museum's Jackson St. Roundhouse, located on the north edge of downtown St. Paul.
@wjstix posted:Might be a bit late, but last night one of our local TV news shows ran a story on the Minnesota Transportation Museum's Jackson St. Roundhouse, located on the north edge of downtown St. Paul.
Wonderful video and cool museum! That is now on my list to see. Thanks for sharing!
Mike
