MN&S reborn (almost)

[Anonymous]

Well, kind of.

Avid fans of the Minneapolis, Northfield & Southern no doubt already
know this, but for those who might not, I'd recommend getting to the
southern Twin Cities area and photographing the Progressive Rail
SW1500's.

http://www.progressiverail.com/

That service operates over a significant portion of the old MN&S out of
Lakeville, MN and their livery is a perfect reproduction of the MN&S
blue scheme (red diamond included and I think even the font for the
lettering). I got a few great shots of one of the 1500's in Rosemount
along the former MILW/ROCK line (now UP) and a southbound UP
freight lead by a CSX GE six-axle unit with an IC black SD40-2 as the
secondary this past Saturday.

Of course, don't trespass and remember - SAFETY FIRST.

[wjstix]

I was pretty surprised the first time they showed up instead of the normal CP/Soo train. I was in bed that morning and really thought I was still dreaming - especially since at least at the beginning of service, they used Hancock air whistles like the MN&S did. The paint scheme is very close to MNS, only big difference was the MNS engines had silver on top (both the cab and engine body), Progressive Rail paintscheme doesn't have that.

My family moved to Richfield in 1951, so I've lived on the "high line" my whole life.

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

There's more to it than you think. Progressive Rail SW1500's 36 & 37 are ex-MN&S, same numbers, so hearing the Hancock air chimes was really a blast from the past.

[wjstix]

Yup, they now own several ex-MNS engines, even an SD-39 !!

[coborn35]

My museum (my meaning I work/volunteer/am a member there) owns a H10-44, and once we get it repainted, it will be painted MNS.
Also, in West Duluth, there is a MNS total door boxcar still painted MNS and lettered for it too.