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"Minneapolis, Anoka, and Cuyunna Range Railway--1915

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"Minneapolis, Anoka, and Cuyunna Range Railway--1915
Posted by NP Eddie on Sunday, October 11, 2015 9:57 AM

ALL:

The "Anoka County Union and Herald" had a news item from 100 years ago (1915).

"Electric trolley cars dashed back and forth over the Minneapolis, Anoka, and Cuyunna Range Ry. Saturday and regular service is being maintained. The cars run splendidly and the service is good in every way. Sunday the cars were well patronized. There has been only criticism, and that was the fare charged, 45c. Many thought the fare too high by at least ten cents.. 100 years ago, October 12, 1915 Anoka County Union."

The MAC discontinued passenger service during WWII. Only 300 feet of their trackage remains and that is a switching lead off the Northtown Yard.

Ed Burns

Happily retired NP-BN-BNSF from Minneapolis.

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Posted by Euclid on Sunday, October 11, 2015 10:00 AM

I recall their nickname was the "Milk and Cream" railroad. 

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Posted by NP Eddie on Sunday, October 11, 2015 4:26 PM

Euclid and All:

The MAC ceased operations in 1969 and the GN took over their switching into the defense plant (used to be Northern Pump) and the Minneapolis Water Works. An old agreement (1880) with the NP gave the GN rights to switch industries off the eastbound main track between St. Cloud, MN to Northtown. 

I worked as a customer service clerk for about one year and had to know the Twin Cities Terminal tariff and switching oddities. There was a special rate for a commodity (don't remember which one) that came off the SOO Line. That provision was known as the SOO-MAC special rate.

Ed Burns

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Posted by Euclid on Monday, October 12, 2015 8:42 AM

I remember the final period of the MA&CR.  They operated an old locomotive that began its life on the Dan Patch Electric Ry.  The Dan Patch was intended to be electrified, but ran out of money to string the wire, so they built electric cars with on-board gasoline engines powering generators.  These were the progenitors of the modern diesel-electric locomotive. 

http://www.newdavesrailpix.com/macr/macr.htm

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