St. Paul and the Soo

[beaulieu]

QUOTE: Originally posted by WisconsinCentral

I have heard a rumor that the CP is going to be running some trains over the Soo Lines former mainline in Northeast Mpls via Cardigan Jct to get to St.Paul. Has this happened yet? Also, what type of freight activity still goes on at Cardigan Jct (besides transfer 1)?

Thanks,
Douglas H

The problem with routing trains over the belt line is the grades climbing up to New Brighton. followed by the screams of the NIMBYs on the St. Paul Sub.
Traffic on the east end of the Paynesville Sub. includes CN's daily freight in and out of the Twin Cities plus coal trains, Soo's Transfer 1, and in season ballast trains of both railroads to the quarry at Dresser, WI. Rumors floating around about the Coal train interchange being moved from New Brighton to Necedah, WI. Hard to figure that one out since UP would need helpers in St. Paul and at Hudson. Plus at least one extra crew change and I doubt that either CN or CP will want to give up their current division of the freight revenue.

[WisconsinCentral]

I have heard a rumor that the CP is going to be running some trains over the Soo Lines former mainline in Northeast Mpls via Cardigan Jct to get to St.Paul. Has this happened yet? Also, what type of freight activity still goes on at Cardigan Jct (besides transfer 1)?

Thanks,
Douglas H