MSTL Passenger Service

Classic Trains General Discussion
1

ALL:

The August 1936 “Official Guide” shows that the MSTL passenger trains did indeed terminate in Minneapolis–GN Station.

Through passengers to St. Paul and beyond used GN, NP, or CBQ trains to St. Paul and other carriers beyond.

I rode the last CNW Twin Cities 400 in 1963, the last CGW Kansas City train, and the last CGW Omaha trains in 1965.

I saw many trains over the years. My overnight and then 2nd shift at Old Northtown let me see both NP and GN freight and passenger trains. Yes, I did enjoy walking the tracks and being next to freight cars.

What a job—I loved trains and got paid to see them!! The reality was the Assistant Supt of the NP was tired of seeing me in the office and told me to fill out an employment application! That was in
April of 1966. In August of 2004, I retired with 38 years of service.

Ed Burns

2

So, some time between January of 1930 and August of 1936 the M&StL ceased operating into St. Paul. Can anyone provide information as to the time the service ceased?

3

Well they never had tracks to St.Paul so would have to have used GN or NP trackage rights, like the CNW did. M-St.L was in receivership that whole period I believe (1930-36) so it would have been under control of regulators. I know there were a lot of cutbacks of service during that time.

p.s. You could also have gotten off at the GN depot and taken the streetcar to St.Paul Union Depot.