Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Duluth Union Depot in MR

1627 views
5 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 2, 2004 11:53 PM
Thanks for the responses. I was fortunate to receive a copy of the article "The Union Depot that Endured" from Trains and one from the SOO magazine from the Duluth Union Depot. From what I have read the closing of the Soo Line Station in Duluth preceded Amtrak. According to the article "The Union Depot that Endured" the last scheduled train to use the Union Depot was NP's morning Budd RDC to Staples, MN on May 24, 1969. DM&IR ran its last train from the Union Depot in 1953 and GN left it earlier in 1969.
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Midwest
  • 718 posts
Posted by railman on Monday, November 1, 2004 2:17 PM
Did the Amtrak train that went to Dulute for a while go to the union depot?
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, October 27, 2004 11:18 AM
The depot you describe is indeed the Soo Line's Duluth Station. It was opened about 1910 when the (original) Wisconsin Central entered Duluth. This station has been described as the grandest on the Soo Line. It was located about one block south and one block west from the Duluth Union Station (which has been preserved).

The Soo Line Station played host to the Laker (The Chicago - Duluth overnight train), as well as locals to Minneapolis / St. Paul and Plummer / Thief River Falls. I believe it also handled the DSS & A's train from Sault Ste. Marie, but that service ended in the 1930's.

The Soo Line Station and trackage was demolished in the 1970's to make way for an interstate highway interchange.

The Soo Line station was stub ended on the north and had six tracks with a single track throat that plunged through a short tunnel. The operator's shanty that controlled the station's switches was called Duluth Tunnel. There are only a few photos of the station around. I saw two in the book "Steam Trains of the Soo" by Leslie Suprey.

Your best bet for information or plans may be the Archives of the Soo Line Technical and Historical Society. They have a website and list a number of plans from original Soo Line corporate drawings. I don't know if they have these plans, but I'm sure the Society's members could be of help. Good luck!
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, October 21, 2004 5:30 PM
I have been informed that the station fabout which I need information is the Duluth Soo Line Union Station.

This station was accessed through a tunnel and served the Soo Line and The DSS&A which were CPR subsidaries.

It was demolished and replaced with another building.
  • Member since
    January 2002
  • 1,132 posts
Posted by jrbarney on Wednesday, October 20, 2004 11:36 AM
Didn't find the MR artcle using a keyword search at the Index of Magazines, but did find this citation which might be of some use:
The union depot that endured Trains, November 1973, page 20 preservation of Duluth Union Depot ( DULUTH, "KING, FRANKLIN A.", MINNESOTA, PRESERVATION, STATION, TRN )
Bob
NMRA Life 0543
"Time flies like an arrow - fruit flies like a banana." "In wine there is wisdom. In beer there is strength. In water there is bacteria." --German proverb
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Duluth Union Depot in MR
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, October 19, 2004 6:57 PM
As previously posted, I am attempting to locate information to help me model the Duluth Union Depot.

I recall seeing a featured layout in Model Railroader in which part of the Depot (I believe it was the SW face) was modelled as a flat or in bas-relief.

Can someone direct me to the article by year , month and page?

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!