While in Minneapolis/St. Paul Monday and Tuesday this week I was driving with one of my associates when we pulled into a new customer’s parking lot and I saw an amazing site that made me willing to be a few minutes late for our meeting. We had stumbled on the shops of the Minnesota Commercial Railroad. I felt like I had gone through a time warp with all the Alco (yep, Alco) older G.E. and old EMD units. Many looked familiar and I think some were ex-BN, perhaps some ex-GB&W and others unfamiliar to me. Most were not running but a few were. There must have been about twenty or more units sitting around, some looking pretty good and others in really terrible shape. I will have to try and get back there some day soon and with my camera this time! Anybody else seen this wonderful site[?]
Personally, I have not seen them, but up here in Duluth,MN, I have seen a few Minnesota Commercial trains up by Rices Point Yard and Pokegakama Yard.
I told you this was a good place to take your vacation. You should have said you were comming. Yes, the Minnesota Commercial is like an operating museum. They are sort of like an animal shelter that takes in old strays. Those Alcos have been nursed along for years, but may be nearing the end of their useful life. They used to have more. I believe the Commercial keeps a few extra hulks around for parts.
Pletts Express did a video about the Commercial and it’s Alcos back in 1999. It sounds like you need to get a copy.[swg]
I’m afraid we locals take sights like this for granted.
Sorry Big Boy I was not on vacation but on a business trip. My vacation will definetly be somewhere warmer, much warmer, than it was in MSP this week.
Thanks for the information just the same.
No need to apologize. Actually, you missed the warmth by a day. Sunday was in the 60’s. Now it’s back to normal. I did warn you about that in my original vacation sales pitch. Next time you come up this way on business, let me know if you want a tour guide for your down time. I’ll grab my scanner and camera and take you on a “dinosaur hunt”.[swg]
[:D]Thanks very much, I may just take you up on that invitation. I love to be able to find old diesels still running[:p]
The Minnesota Commericial…good times, great Alcos!
Never been there…REALLY WANT TO…one word, two locomotives…RS-27!!!
the pic with the engine in it and the grain elevetors,that big_boy_4005 put up. do u remember wat engine # that was cause i know some1 that works with that railroad(minnesota commercial)and i think that might be his train if it’s engine #1982
I saw a Minnesota Commercial CF7 switching at the Andersen Windows plant in Bayport a few years ago. Do they still have a CF7 active?
Aaaarggghhh … the Minnesota Commercial. They’re holding my lovely GB&W alco’s hostage. No seriously - its great that some of the GBW fleet landed in a safe home after the WC blew up the alco fleet.
I was in MNSP / STPL last week, also for a business meeting, but just didn’t get time to do any railfanning - bummer.
Close, it’s 1983. [:D] Here is a better shot. I’m not sure if a particular engine is always assigned to the same job. My guess is they grab whatever is running.
That photo was taken in May 2004.
According to a 2005 roster, 484 is still alive, though I’ve never seen it. Bayport is only 5 miles down the road. If I knew which day they worked it, I could go hang out.[;)]