Hi All --
Can anyone provide info or links to the good railfanning sites (maps?) in the Twin Cities area? I'll be visiting from SoCal June 6-8... Many Thanks!
Where in the Twin Cities will you be staying and will you have a car?
Recommend you review:
Twin Cities Railfan Guide
As stated above, there are locations all around. Depending upon where you stay you will have easy access to some spot. Most trains enter from the northwest at 694 and University Avenue and leave south out of downtown St. Paul along the river.
Yes - I'll have a rental car - My business is in the Bloomington Crossing neighborhood off of the 169 - so the SW corner of the metro area... my hotel is at the 212 / 494 interchange - the Eden Prairie Mall area.
I am looking forward to seeing as much non-BNSF and UP as possible, but even seeing the same old orange GE's in new places is good too! I would like to see the TC&W if possible - and am considering driving out to Glencoe... Yet want to see MN Commercial, etc., as well "in town".
Perfect - Thanks! Exactly what I was looking for!
Minneapolis was hit by a tornado last Sunday afternoon May 22nd. Access to CP trackage in the Camden area is still very restricted. The area is still open only to residents of the area. Northtown is open and operating normally.
If you have a car, the best train watching spot is 27th and University. Turn east at the BP station; the road dead ends. This is a favorite of local railfans. The gas station sells pop and snacks and fast food is available at I-694 and University. It is safe during daytime hours. BNSF and Minneapolis police do occassionally come into the area.DO NOT Tresspass on tracks. There are lulls, but you will see trains. Stay in or with your car at all times.
Osborne Road and East River Road ( north of I-694) has a place called Chris& Rob's. They have hamburgers ete but more importantly the BNSF runs right next to the place. You can sit down and watch trains. It is just south of the SuperAmerica Station. The Fridley station for the Northstar commuter train is just south of there and you can park in the parking lot. There is a walking trail that is beside the tracks as you go north. You could also ride Northstar out to Big Lake Minnesota at 3:50pm and be able to return to Fridley on a southbound commuter train. You can check the schedules on line.
The best place to see TC&W is in Hopkins. From your Hotel it would be best to use Shady Oak Road and not US 169 to get there if it is the rush hour. Your hotel can give you exact directions. I believe that TC&W does run a transfer cut from Pigs Eye yard over in St Paul to Hopkins getting to Hopkins late afternoon. The best place to see Minnesota Commercial power is at their roundhouse on Cleveland avenue just south of University avenue in St Paul. I-94 to Cretin Avenue exit then north to University then east to Cleveland. Farther south on Cleveland avenue is the Ford Plant which is switched by CP.
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