Good Photography in Willmar

[Anonymous]

For BN/BNSF fans, Willmar, MN is definitely worth the drive for train
photography. I was there Saturday and exhausted two rolls of film.

The BNSF terminal, with its yard and engine facilities are all easily
photographed from public property with no need at all to trespass. There's a
pedestrian bridge spanning the center of the yard and a very good place to
park and observe train action on the west end near the point where the line
splits (one line to Sioux City, the other towards Benson).

I was surprised at the number of SD9s still in service with the BNSF - one I
shot was the third unit on a westbound mixed freight in the new BNSF
"Pumpkin Head" scheme, and another old horse was moving through the
yard coupled to a GP40 I believe it was. I also photographed one at the
Cargill elevator in Litchfield, MN (now in use by that company for shuffling
grain cars beneath the chutes). I've also seen several SD9s working transfer
jobs near Midway Stadium in St. Paul - all the high-nose variety.

If you're ever in western Minnesota, consider a trip to Willmar and you won't be
disappointed with the photo opportunities.