Milwaukee Road 4-8-4 261 was leading an excursion to Duluth, Minnesota, which I wanted to ride so bought tickets and made flight and hotel arrangements. After a couple of bad days at work, I was glad to be at the Santa Ana station waiting for Metrolink 681 to arrive at 4:34 AM.
I boarded this train which took me to Los Angeles Union Station and the Flyaway Bus to LAX. This time, though, it would be a one-way trip due to the late hour of my return so bought my Flyaway ticket and walked to the bus that had just arrived. Thirty minutes later, I was at LAX and went quickly through the Security Line in Terminal 2. At 6:15 AM, I was seated in front of Gate 28 and did my usual Sudoku puzzles while waiting for my flight.
Northwest Airlines Flight 803 6/1/2007I boarded this 757-300 airplane and took my seat in 47F then we reversed out of the gate at 8:27 AM PDT and took off at 8:44 AM PDT.
Cajon Pass from the air. The flight took us over Price, Utah and seeing Glenwood Canyon with the former Denver and Rio Grande Railroad was a scenic highlight before the clouds took over. We touched down at Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport at 1:50 PM CDT and once off the airplane, I followed the signs and took the tram to the rental car counters. Alamo did not have their act together but I received a silver Sebring then drove to the Mall of America, parked and walked to the light rail station on the lower level.
This is a 12 mile light rail line in Hennepin County which travels from downtown Minneapolis to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport and the southern suburb of Bloomington. It was named after the Milwaukee Road's Hiawatha passenger train and Hiawatha Avenue, reusing infrastructure from the former and running parallel to the latter for a portion of the route. The line opened June 26, 2004, and was the first light rail service in Minnesota.
I bought a six-hour day oass then boarded the waiting train and departed the Mall of America station located under the parking structure. The line curved left and ran along Old Shapokee Road then line curved left again before turning right into the 28th Street station as a light rain was falling. Bloomington Central Station was next then we passed the large glass buildings before turning left into the middle of 34th Street, going under Interstate 494. We next passed the National Cemetery, ran through Humphrey Terminal station, which was closed for construction, and entered the Airport Tunnel. Stopping at the Lindbergh Terminal, our route continued under the runways then exited the tunnel and proceeded to the Fort Snelling station, where I detrained. Being here meant I had now ridden the complete Hiawatha Light Rail Line, since I had done the rest at the 2004 National Railway Historical Society convention before the southern end of the line was built.
The train that brought me here left as a light rain was falling.
It then departed for downtown Minneapolis.
Another northbound train arrived here.
My train for the Mall of America arrived and I boarded. I just sat back and enjoyed a wonderful trip back to where I started. The Hiawatha Light Rail line is a fun line to ride and I really have enjoyed myself riding it both times.
I drove east towards Stillwater, stopping at a Target then continued to the Stillwater station for some pictures of my next train ride.
Minnesota Zephyr Dinner Train 6/01/2007
The Minnesota Zephyr Dinner Train, which, for over twenty years, has been operating out of Stillwater and served a five-course, white linen dinner on a six-mile route which travelled along the St. Croix River bluffs, then turned westward and followed a stream.
Minnesota Zephyr dome-lounge "Grand Dome", ex. Amtrak 9373, ex. Southern Pacific three-quarter 3604 1955, nee Southern Pacific parlour-drawing room 3000 built by Pullman-Standard in 1937. Retired in 1981 and sold to J.R. Reed then by his estate to Jim Stephenson of Bellaire, Texas. In June 1987, it was acquired by David Paradeau, owner of the dinner train.
The emblem on the nose of the F7A 787.
The Stillwater depot, a replica station.
Minnesota Zephyr Dinner Train F7A 788, ex. Chicago and North Western 410, nee Chicago and North Western 4082A built by Electro-Motive Division in 1949.
The train as seen from the other end.
Minnesota Zephyr Dinner train dome-club car "St. Croix", ex. Illinois Central 2210 1967, exx. Missouri Pacific 594 1963, nee Missouri Pacific 894 built by Pullman-Standard in 1952. It was retired in 1970 and sold to attorneys Cobb/Allen/Hall of Mobile, Alabama then sold in 1976 to Butterworth Tours and assigned to Golden Arrow lease fleet. In 1988, it was bought by David Paradeau.
Minnesota Zephyr Dinner Train F7A 787, ex. Colorado and Eastern 716, exx. Cadillac and Lake City 716, exxx. Burlington Northern 9756, exxxx. Burlington Northern 716:2, nee Spokane, Portland and Seattle 804 built by Electro-Motive Division in 1953.
The dinner train awaiting its passengers this evening. I then drove over to the Days Inn, registered, checked my e-mail and relaxed before returning to the Stillwater Depot for my second ride on this dinner train since this is the last year of operation. The owner was retiring and a local group wanted to put in a trail where the tracks are now.
A speeder in front of the station.
The view as I entered the depot. The train consisted of F7A 788, baggage car (former Milwaukee Road), St. Crouix dome-club car, table car "Lake Winds" (former Chesapeake and Ohio), table car Stillwater (former Chesapeake and Ohio), table car "Northern Winds" (former Chesapeake and Ohio) and the Grand Dome. At 6:30 PM, the passengers were called us to board and I went to my assigned table in the Grand Dome.
I was seated across from Kay and Stan from Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
View inside the top of the Grand Dome. Drinks were then served and I just had water tonight.
The Zephyr Cabaret, a group of singers in United States Army costumes, sang "Bugle Boy of Company B" as they walked through the car. Shrimp cocktail was already on the table followed by chicken and wild rice soup.
Our conductor was Frank Campbell, a retired switchman from the Chicago and North Western and later the Union Pacific. At 7:55 PM, the train started the slow march towards Duluth Junction.
We ran north along the St. Croix River, seen through the trees along the highway below the cliff.
The train ran below the cliff along the highway. We had one last view of the river through the trees then climbed a short grade that took us over Highway 95.
As we climbed away from the river, there were retaining walls to hold the slopes in place at Dutchtown. We continued to climb to the west, following Browns Creek up the 2.2 percent grade to gain 250 feet in elevation. The salads were then served.
I was enjoyed the cascading miles of Browns Creek and to the top of the grade at the Oak Glen Country Club.
The author in the Grand Dome. The train rolled by the Sawmill Country Club and later a beautiful lake on the north side of the tracks.
My meal, a large piece of Prime Rib with red potatoes, was then served. The Prime Rib was fantastic and after I finished, a walk of the train was in order.
Table car "Lake Winds", nee Chesapeake and Ohio 52-seat coach.
Table car "Stillwater", nee Chesapeake and Ohio 52-seat coach.
The dome portion of the "St. Croix".
The Zephyr Cabaret, now wearing railroad clothes, before they went through the train singing "Chattanooga Choo Choo".
The lower level of "St. Croix".
Etched glasswork in one of the doors.
Looking down the side of the train. We reached the turnback point of the trip near Duluth Junction and during the stop, the engineer walked back through the train to switch ends. Our conductor asked if any passengers would like to ride in the engine. You know what my answer was and we walked into the engine room and the cab of F7A 787. As a child, this was my favourite type of locomotive. Due to our lateness, this return trip was at five miles per hour.
For dessert, everyone enjoyed a delicious New York cheesecake. We arrived back in Stillwater and as I walked off the train, I had a few thoughts to share about this trip. Mark was an excellent server, the food was top rate and the ride will always be a memorable experience. I drove back to the Days Inn and had a good night's sleep.
6/02/2007 I awoke not hungry so just had some orange juice. After a check of e-mail, I checked out and drove back into the Twin Cities, following the signs towards the Amtrak station but stopped at the Minnesota Commercial Railway.
Overview of the Minnesota Commercial Railway.
Minnesota Commerical M636 71, nee Canadian Pacific 4711 built by American Locomotive Company in 1969.
Minnesota Commercial C36-7 59, nee Hammersley Iron 5059 built by General Electric in 1978.
Minnesota Commercial C36-7 55, nee Burlington Northern 5509 built by General Electric in 1976.
Minnesota Commercial B23-7 1971, nee Conrail 1971 built by General Electric in 1979.
Minnesota Commerical SF30C 50, ex. Santa Fe 9501, nee Santa Fe U36C 8728 built by General Electric in 1973.
Looking towards their shop. I walked back to the car and drove over to the Amtrak station, arriving just as the eastbound Empire Builder's on-time arrival.
New York Central observation car "Babbling Brook" PPCX 800007, ex. Quebec Mining Company 847 1969, ex. Canadian Pacific Railway "Seaview" nee NYC 5 double-bedroom/buffet/observation/lounge 10560 built by Budd Company in 1949. It operated on the Central's famous "New England States" in Pullman Service on that train until 1957 when it was retired.
The Empire Builder at rest. I walked into the station before returning to my rental car and drove towards my next train ride, stopping at a petrol station for some snacks for later before continuing on to Minneapolis Junction where I parked for the Milwaukee Road 261 trip to Duluth.
