I’m doing research on a train that used to run between Pembina, North Dakota and Winnipeg, Manitoba. I don’t know when it started or stopped running between the two towns, but I do know I rode it as a kid in the 1960’s. If I remember correctly, it was metallic silver like an airstream trailer, and wasn’t a very long passenger train. It may have been the last passenger train to make regular runs out of Pembina. I want to find out more information about it, and hopefully some photos. Any ideas on how to find out more would be much appreciated. THANKS!
Wasn’t this the NP-CN St. Paul - Winnipeg Train? When I rode it there was one NP E8, some head-end cars, an NP 6-10 sleeper, a lounge-diner-sleeper (crew?)combination, and a mixture of coaches. I think the train was called the Winnipeger or the City of Winnipeg
Believe the train you referred to was the RDC that the NP was forced to operate between Pembina and Winnipeg sfter they discontinued their Twin Cities - Winnipeg train on the US side of the border. But Transport Canada would not permit the NP to discontinue on the Canadian sde for some time so the NP assigned a RDC to the Pembina - Winnipeg run until Transport Canada finally granted discontinuance.
Just looked it up and their were two RDC’s assigned to this service by the NPand they were no’s B-31 and B-32. They originally operated between Fargo and Winnipeg later between Mannitoba Junction and Winnipeg. They operated in this service from June , 1962 until May 24, 1969. At Manitoba Junction the RDC’s made connections with the Mainstreeter a Chicago - Seattle train. Train numbers were 124-13 and 14-123.
The Canadian portion of trains #13-14, operating between the USA/Canada border at Pembina ND/Emerson MB and the city of Winnipeg MB was discontinued on November 1st, 1969.
The train you are talking about is a Northern Pacific train which operated between Fargo North Dakota and Winnipeg. It would operate as train 124 between Fargo and Hawley MN, where it would make a connection with the NP’s Mainstreeter. Its number would change to train 13 at Hawley and leave at 12:41 PM and arrive in Penbina ND at 5:47 PM and operate via Crookston and Grand Forks. It was a NP RDC which means it was a self propelled diesel railcar built by Budd. It would cross the Canadian border at 6:00 at Emerson Junction MB which is across the Red River from Emerson MB and would be operated by CN to Winnipeg and arrive at Winnipeg at 7:25 PM.
Are you someone that worked in that area, or just someone with knowledge of the time tables, etc.? I"m amazed at your specificity of times, etc.! Thanks much
Hello, I can’t help you because I live on the other end of the Pembina -Winnipeg Junction line. Maybe someone can help me? I live in the old incorporated township of 1897. The line was built by the Duluth Manitoba Railroad or railway company. It was a townsite i/2 mile east of state hiway 32. They built the line off of the rail line which then ran into hawley. They started down here and it was built to Pembina in 1897. The old townsite is still lot blocked and I am on two of the three city blocks. My neighbors have deemed me Mayor for the last 12 years. It all fasciates me. I am trying to find info and or photos, info about the actual junction site. I believe it was nearer hiway 32 than the townsite itself!
Hello again I’m originally from Hawley, so i know the area well. The town was actually here before it was incorporated. I have done extensive research at the Clay County Historical Society Museum in Moorhead. unfortuneatley there are only 3 or 4 good pictures of the bustling town. I can trace Swedish immigration to this area as early as the early 1880’s. Two Saloons, a jail of couse, town hall, post office which was also a store at one time, bakery, two hotels, two general stores, a blacksmith and livery stables. There was also the Swedish Mission Church. There are still a few of the original houses with one actually being the ticket office when the train stopped. The town disolved in 1909 after a lengthy dispute with the GN at the time. They tried to abandon WJ without legal procedings and whoever was left when the town was disolved (9 voters) split a $30,000 settlement amongst themselves. The railroad had already left them when they went 1/2 mile straight north to Manitoba junction where the double track was placed and this then was the mainline from dilworth to Staples. Made for a movie, but certainly true. I’ve discovered some pretty good info. Somebody help!!
This response is for information. The RDC’s the NP purchased were x-WP 375 and x-WP376 which were used as single car trains between Salt Lake City and Oakland. According to “Trains” the NP purchased both and spare parts for a bargain basement price of $100,000.
They were renumbered NP B31 and NP B32 and replaced locomotive hauled trains.
After the 1970 BN merger, the six x-NP cars and the one x-GN car were sold to Amtrak.
Ed Burns, retired NP-BN-BNSF clerk from Northtown.
