The only rail line around goes right through downtown, and was the topic of some heated discussions on this forum a few years back. Wyoming coal vs. Mayo Clinic...
Brian (IA) http://blhanel.rrpicturearchives.net.
Canadian Pacific(ex-DM&E, ex-C&NW) runs East-West through town. There is a local that lives in Rochester, and runs out to Dodge Center and back. It also switches the Seneca distribution warehouse on the south side of town(ex-CGW line). An overnight local goes through town, and an occasional unit ethanol train train as well. All of the 'action' is 45 miles east on the CP(ex-Milw) or BNSF(ex-BN, ex-CB&Q) main lines.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
CP (DME) runs alot of trains in and out of Waseca MN It is one of there main yards however I have wondered what is the split that go south on the old Milwaukee road at Owatonna or go east through Rochester. I have seen alot of run through power in Waseca lately Mostly UP but also some CSX but do not know if they are going south or east at Owatonna.
MNTRAIN,
Waseca is a crew change, Further east at Owatonna is the junction with lines going to Winona or Marquette. Most of the EB traffic now runs south out of Owatonna to Marquette. There is is an overnight way freight between Waseca and Winona. It drops off cars for the Rochester based local that switches between Rochester and Dodge Center. There is also a unit Ethanol train out of Janesville that runs via Rochester to Winona and east. Once in a while there will be other unit moves or detours via Rochester/Winona. CP rerouted most through traffic via Marquette-Savanna-Chicago over a year ago.
I live in the area so I see the trains in Waseca all day,However I have noticed the the line from Owatonna to Rochester is maintained to a higher standard ( welded rail,ballest,ect...) than the old Milwaukee to the south.I am in Owatonna regularly but not on the east side where the line splits when CP runs through town.
My thought is is with most trains going south at Owatonna that this line would be upgraded over the Winona line
It is interesting how Waseca has changed in the last couple of years.The yard is very busy( When the yard is switched from the east it blocks the main north south road in town State Hwy 13) there must be at least 4-6 trains a day moving through town not counting yard moves. Lately there has been trains backing down the old M&SL line south of town to wait for space because the siding west of town is full. In the past all power was DME or CP some GPs and mostly SD 40-2s then came CP SD 60s and GP eco20 and SDeco30s and now GE dash 9s.In the past it was something special to see foreign power or AC in town, but now it is common to see UP and CSX engines in town. I just seen my first BNSF GE int he yard tonight.
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