Minnesota Centennial Train of 1958

[NP Eddie]

This post is regarding the Minnesota Centennial Train of 1958.

I saw this train being backed down from the eastbound main track in Anoka to a spur on 2nd Avenue North and Harrison Street by a Great Northern "E7A" unit.. If my memory serves me correctly, the train had about four or five baggage cars, all painted gold and maroon.

This train toured 86 of 87 counties in Minnesota. Cook County is far northeastern Minnesota does not have any railroads.

Can anyone enlighten me on who furnished the baggage (exhibit) cars, who painted them, and what was the disposition of the cars after the 1958 tour?

I did read that the Northern Pacific laid temporary trackage across Como Avenue in St. Paul to access the Minnesota State Fair grounds.

I assume all railroads in Minnesota were involved in this special movement.

Thank you,

 

Ed Burns,

Retired NP-BN-BNSF Clerk from Anoka, MN