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New Target Field Station to open in downtown Minneapolis
Believe this would require a long back up move from Harrison Street across a Mississippi River bridge to get into this station. It used to be that trains would forward cross the river at same location, enter the Great Northern Station, and leave going across the Stone Arch Bridge usually then to St. Paul. Not possible today as Stone Arch Bridge is now a walking bridge.
Does or could Amtrak come anywhere near this station?
The GN stone arch bridge is now a link in the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Trail–the proponents of the trail would be extremely reluctant to give it back to railroad usage.
Several years ago, a part of it sank; I do not know what has been done to this to make it usable for the trail.
As I commented on the May 8th SPUD opening story, the Amtrak trains go right thru Minneapolis Junction which is only a short hop from Target field station. A platform could be built on the NE leg of the wye which would not require any kind of “move”. Friends of the 261 has their shop just inside the wye at that location and could use a platform for loading their excursion trains. They often place their refurbished and Amtrak compatable cars on the end of the Empire Builder for various moves or leases. See their sight at 261.com
In any case passengers could park there as there is a lot of room but someone would probably want to be paid as in St Paul. Maybe benefiting the 261’s maintenance fund. When going on the 261 excursions patron cars are parked in the open space in the interior of the wye.
What would it take to turn that stone arch bridge back to rail use?
Later this week…what day? I know the time but don’t want to sit three days in Minneapolis.
Festivities start at 1:00PM Saturday, May 17. Official stuff at 3:00. Twins game at 6:10. Sounds like fun. Wish I could go.
I concur with John Poore on a platform for Amtrak. Downtown Minneapolis really should have a Amtrak stop as well as St. Paul.