Volume 47 #6 Northstar Railway Historical Society July 2016

Publishers of the Rail Calendar

Train Day at SPUD

L: #261 Night Photo session at SPUD. R: Soo FP7 #2500 from the LSRM at Train Day at SPUD. Photos: By Jeff Terry

Table of Contents Meeting Notice Meeting Notice Page 1 Next business meeting will be held on

Officer Contact Directory Page 1, 2 Saturday Sept 17 2016 6:30 pm, at Roseville Lutheran Church at 1215 Roselawn Avenue, midway between Lexington Editors Column Page 2 and Hamline Avenues in Roseville. See map on page 2. May 2016 Meeting Minutes Page 2,3 Train Day at SPUD Page 3,4 Program after the meeting – Milw #261 to Duluth Page 4,5 Historic Railroad Slides from Glen Holmberg’s collection of BNSF Restructure Page 5,6 Minnesota Railroads. Russ Isbrandt trip out East Page 6 There will be a pre-meeting get-together Sept 17, 2016 at the Taconite Mine to Reopen Page 7 Keys Cafe and Bakery at the northeast corner of Lexington and Milw Passenger Consist 1937 Page 7 Larpenteur starting about 4:45 pm. PLEASE CALL Bob Clark- UP #844 ready Page 8 son at 651-636-2323 and leave a message with your name and

Hinckley Loop Study for Northern Lights Train Page 8,9,10 the number of persons coming with you.

James J Hill Death Page 10 Our annual picnic will be held at Maiden Rock Wisconsin, C&NW Pictures, Steam Ramble article Page 11,12 Saturday July 9th 2016. It will held in the park adjacent to Royal American Shows Page 13 the Mississippi River and the BNSF railroad in the shelter area. BNSF Derailment Page 13 Electrical outlets are available in the shelter. 10:30am - 3:00pm Private Varnish thru the Twin cities Page 14 Bring your own meat to grill. Chips and Beverages are supplied. Northern Lights Update Page 15 SPUD gets Coffee Shop Page 15 Sign-up form for our August Bus Trip to Duluth to ride Railfan Events Page 16 the Northshore Scenic Railroad is in this issue. Please DVD’s for Sale Page 17 be prompt to send in your Reservation!

Northstar Chapter Officers President Richard Tubbesing [email protected] 763-757-1304 Vice President Dan Meyer [email protected] 763-784-8835 Past President H Martin Swan [email protected] 612-961-1684 National Representative Jim McLean [email protected] 612-747-8541 Treasurer Russ Isbrandt [email protected] 651-426-1156 Secretary Dave Norman [email protected] 612-729-2428 Trustee Gary Rumler [email protected] 651-385-8752

Page 1 Northstar News July 2016 Volume 47 #6 Northstar Railway Historical Society July 2016 Staff Program Chairman John Goodman [email protected] 612-839-0905 Newsletter Editor Committee: Richard [email protected] 763-757-1304 Tubbesing, Dawn [email protected] 763-784-8835 Holmberg

Newsletter Distribution Richard Tubbesing [email protected] 763-757-1304 Calendar Committee John Goodman [email protected] 612-839-0905 Dawn Holmberg [email protected] 763-784-8835 Russ Isbrandt

Trip Director John Goodman [email protected] 612-839-0905 Chapter Librarian/ John Cartwright [email protected] 651-481-8479 Historian Web Master Dan Meyer [email protected] 763-784-8835 Chapter Mailbox Northstar Chapter NRHS PO Box 120832 St Paul MN 55112 Library Data Base Ad- Russ Isbrandt [email protected] 651-426-1156 ministrator Meeting Location: From the east or west take MN 36 to Lexington From the Publisher: Avenue. Drive south on Lexington Avenue to Roselawn Avenue and Thanks to Jim McLean for his pictures of Philippine sugar railroads that he turn right. The large lighted parking lot is on your right as you travel showed at the May 2016 meeting.. west on Roselawn. Use the lower entrance to the church and turn left through the commons area. We’ll be in room 40, The Diamond Repeated from the last newsletter. The NRHS Convention will be held in Room. from July 19 thru Sunday July 24. Activities include a ride on the Denver and commuter rail system, visit to the Forney Museum, Platte Valley Trolley and Caboose Hobbies in Denver, ride on the Royal Gorge Scenic Lunch train, bus trip to ride on the and then visit and ride on the Railroad Museum, night photo session at the Colorado Railroad Museum, seminars, a ride on the Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad, wrapping up with a ride on a chaser bus of the UP busi- ness train from Denver to Greeley, Colorado. You can register for the conven- tion and book the various trips at their wesbsite at NRHS.com. So far, due to John Goodman’s diligence as NRHS Convention Committee member, and his work, the convention activities have been well received. Program for the September Meeting will be pictures from the Glen Holmberg Collection. . Note, Next Newsletter will be out around September 1 2016.

: Northstar Chapter NRHS Meeting Minutes May 21 2016. The meeting was called to order at 6:33pm by President Richard Tubbesing at the Roseville Lutheran Church. Members introduced themselves. 26 members and guests were present. Richard Tubbesing reported on the accident that our Secretary Dave Norman had and is now in a nursing facility. Terry Warner and Russ Hammond reported further on Dave’s Condition. Flowers were sent to Dave Norman at HCMC on behalf of our Organization. We wish Dave a speedy Recovery. Richard Tubbesing reported that former President H Martin Swan is recovering from a bout with Cellulitis and was not able to attend our meeting. We also wish for a speedy recovery for Marty. Russ Isbrandt gave the treasurer’s report on our checking and calendar accounts. Also, we have 18 subscribers according the Russ’s membership report. John Cartwright gave the library report and that our slide collection is currently being inventoried. Richard Tubbesing reported that we have over 2000 BN slides. Dawn Holmberg reported that the 2017 Calendar picture selections have been made, and that captions are being written and submission for publication is scheduled for next month. John Goodman reported that the NRHS is considering changes to membership rules. The NRHS Convention is in Denver in July and registrations are on Track to make it a successful convention (especially due to the hard work John Goodman has done as Convention Chairman). John reported that planned trips this summer will be the light Rail trip Saturday June 18, that our picnic will be held at Maiden Rock WI Saturday July 9th, and our August 15th Bus trip will be to Duluth to ride the North Shore Scenic railroad and hope that D&NE #28 might be running at that time. Continued on page 3: Page 2 Northstar News July 2016 Volume 47 #6 Northstar Railway Historical Society July 2016 Continued from page 2: John has reserved the Baggage-Combine W24 for our chapter’s exclusive use. Lunch will be on your own at Two Harbors during the layover, and we will stop for dinner in Hinckley on our return to the Library. John reported that the bus trip will be in the $89 range, and we hope to get at least 25 members and guests to attend. Richard Tubbesing stated that a sign-up brochure for the bus strip will be in the July 1 Newsletter. Programs for the upcoming meetings will be Glen Holmberg RR slides in September, Gary Rumler C&NW Slides in October, and November is still open. Our Holiday Banquet is scheduled for the first Sunday in December at Guldens and John is working on getting our guest speaker. Richard Tubbesing reported that we will do about three Flea markets in the fall when our Calendar is available. Dan Meyer reported on our web site. Development on a web page for ordering DVD’s and Calendars is progressing and might be ready sometime this summer. Cheer Committee, Marty Swan (via Email) had nothing to report. Old Business: Dan Meyer is the Nominating Committee and will be soliciting a slate of Officers for election in the next couple of months. New Business: No Announcements: Ross Ham- mond announced that his wife has published a book on hearing loss. As a very generous gesture, Ross gave every meeting attendee a copy of the book. Thanks to Ross and his Wife!! Dan Meyer and at the bequest of Marty Swan is a consideration of a non-official river cruise and lunch maybe in late September. Details forthcoming. At 7:23 PM, a motion to adjourn was carried by John Goodman and seconded by Jim McLean. Program for the evening was slides of many now defunct sugar cane narrow gauge railroads in the Philippines by Jim McLean. Respectfully submitted by Richard Tubbesing, for Dave Norman Secretary. Train Day at St Paul Union Depot April 30, May 1 2016, and Steve Glischinski Photo Special May 2 2016. A very successful and well attended ‘Train Day’ was held at St Paul Union Depot with Soo FP7 #2500. Display Train, Steam Locomotive #261, MTM SDP35 were on display. Pictures below are from the Minnesota Railroad Facebook Group:

Soo #2500 Photo Special on the Osceola and St Croix Valley RR of the MTM May 1, and 2, 2016. L. to R Night Photo at Dresser WI. Special Train on the St Croix River Bridge. Special Train Heading to Osceola WI Photos by Robert Ball

Train Day at SPUD April 30 and May 1 2016 . L. to R Amtrak display Train in Daylight and at Night for the night Photo Session Photos by Robert Ball

Friends of #2261 Milw Super Dome with ’Joey’ the chef, Soo #2500 and persons in 1950’s Garb, Power Plant of Soo #2500. Photos by Brandon Smith

Page 3 Northstar News July 2016 Volume 47 #6 Northstar Railway Historical Society July 2016

Rob Mangels, #261 Engi- neer and Railroad Con- sultant. (a former speak- er at one of our meetings last year.) #261 at Dusk at SPUD. Photo’s by Brandon Smith

Photos of display’s at Spud for Train Days May 30 and June 1 2015. Amtrak display Train at Midway, St Paul Union Depot main concourse. #261 at the Night Photo Session. Soo FP7 #2500 at the night photo session. Ex GN, BN SDP40 #325. TCW GP38 #2011. Amtrak #7 arrival at SPUD. Photos by Steven Whiting, Hudson WI

Steam Locomotive #261 Steams to Duluth June 4th and 5th 2016 By Richard Tubbesing

Milwaukee Road #261 with a 10 car train with coach Lake Pepin, Observation car ‘Lamberts Point’, the ex-Milw super dome and Skytop left Harrison St in Minneapolis right on time at 9;00am with about 300 People on Board. As we proceeded northward on the BNSF Hinckley Subdivision, the weather turned cloudy with intermittent rain. No delay’s were encountered with the exception of a stop near Hinckley to ‘grease the rods’. We arrived in Duluth at about 3:30 pm close to the advertised. This gave passengers a chance to visit the Lake Superior Railroad Museum and to check in to their hotels. This Editor also rode the evening Elegant Dinner Train from Duluth to Palmers on the GN ’Lake of the Isles’ Diner and had a great prime rib meal catered by one of Duluth’s finer restaurants. The following morning, our train departed right on time from Duluth at 12:00pm. Weather was partly cloudy as we left, but a Thunder Storm from Lake Superior damped our trip as we left Superior Wisconsin. As we proceeded south, we had a meet with an empty BNSF Grain Train at Nickerson siding. Again, a service stop was made at Hinckley. When we got to Grasston, the ABS signal system was knocked out by storms the previous evening, and proceeding to Cambridge it was restricted speed for our train and a stop at all the sig- nals before proceeding onward. It was not until we got to Cambridge and a meet with a BNSF NB Manifest train, we were able to pro- ceed at normal speed. We still arrived at Harrison St in Minneapolis only about 30 minutes late from the advertised. It was a great trip and as always hosted by a great and attentive #261 crew. Thanks must go to BNSF Railway and Amtrak for making this trip Possible. Pictures on the next page from various photographers posted on Facebook. Page 4 Northstar News July 2016 Volume 47 #6 Northstar Railway Historical Society July 2016

NB Across the Nemidji River Bridge

NB Kettle River Bridge near Sandstone

NB Brook Park MN

Sharp Curve in Superior Wisconsin BNSF Realignment/Consolidation Priovided by John Goodman May 27, 2016 Effective June 1, BNSF Operations—including Transportation, Engineering and Mechanical—will reorganize under two regions, the North and South. The former 12 divisions will be consolidated into 10 and be split evenly between the regions. Some division boundaries will be unchanged, while others will be consolidated or realigned based on natural operational synergies across subdivi- sions or territories. Thanks to capital investments made over the past several years, the railroad is in the best shape it's ever been, and service levels are strong. Other operational and technology enhancements are also driving continued improvements in safety, velocity and fluidity. Given the strong operational efficiency, the timing is right to realign the divisions and regions. Continued on next page: Page 5 Northstar News July 2016 Volume 47 #6 Northstar Railway Historical Society July 2016 Continued from Previous Page: "“This realignment creates a leaner and more agile organization that is poised to seize growth and new business opportunities," said Dave Freeman, executive vice president, Operations. "Moreover, the business environment has changed considerably—most notably in coal. This new organizational structure better aligns resources with demand for freight ser- vices." Various economic and regulatory factors have impacted the coal business, and the declines reflect a structural, long-term change in that business. Despite these and other challenges posed by the current business environment, company leaders see this realignment as positioning BNSF effectively for future growth. "This realignment is good for customers, it's good for our workforce and it's good for our company," said Carl Ice, president and CEO. "I'm confident it will set BNSF on the best track to successfully meet the freight needs of both current and future customers."

Russ Isbrandt Trip out East June 2016 In Early June Russ traveled to Pennsylvania for his granddaughter’s Graduation. While in Pennsylvania, Russ was able to chase an excursion by N&W Steam Engine #611 from Manassas to Front Royal Virginia. He also went to Philadelphia to ride some of its Mass Transit lines, mainly the SEPTA (South Eastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority) lines. Following are Pictures by Russ Isbrandt:

L to R, #611 is caught at Front Royal Vir- ginia. Russ and his grandson watch the train pass at Front Royal VA, and the train arrives at Marshall VA.

Philadelphia 30th St Station SEPTA Light Rail vehicle Trolley Bus in Philadelphia

Amtrak Train WB at Paoli PA. End of line from Silverliner Philly’s 30th St Station Amtrak #42 NB Philadelphia.

Page 6 Northstar News July 2016 Volume 47 #6 Northstar Railway Historical Society July 2016

Rail-served Taconite Mine Set to Re-open with New Steel Mill Contract From the TRAINS Newswire: Jun 16, 2016 Provided by Rick Krenski Photo: A United Taconite ore train loads at Eveleth, Minn., in June 2015. Steve Glischinski Minnesota's United Taconite recalls workers after making deal with ArcelorMittal June 7, 2016 . FORBES, Minn. — The United Taconite pellet plant in northern Minnesota will soon reopen reopen this thanks to a new long-term contract announced recently between Cliffs Natural Resources and steelmaker ArcelorMittal USA.

Canadian National hauls raw taconite ore from a mine near Eveleth, Minn., to the processing plant at Forbes. It then moves trainloads of tac- onite pellets from Forbes to CN’s ex-Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range ore dock in Duluth. The taconite mine and plant have been shuttered since August 2015. Most of the Cliffs pellets will go to ArcelorMittal’s Indi- ana Harbor East and West steel mills. Cliffs CEO Lourenco Goncalves says the company is starting to recall key employees at United Taconite this week, with full employment expected by Oct. 15 and full production by November.

In a news release, Cliffs says the new contract with ArcelorMittal would run through 2026. It replaces two contracts set to expire in the next 19 months and will see the company supply up to 10 million long tons of taconite pellets (a long ton is 2,240 pounds) annually with a minimum order of 7 million long tons, which is higher than the current minimum level from the two previous con- tracts combined. Cliffs’ would be ArcelorMittal’s sole outside supplier of taconite pellets.

Goncalves says engineers and contractors will soon start construction on a $65 million expansion at United to supply ArcelorMit- tal’s Indiana Harbor No. 7 steel mill with a custom “Mustang” pellet that will replace a pellet now being made at Cliffs’ Empire operation in Michigan. “We hope to be making the Mustang pellet at United early next year,” Goncalves tells the Duluth News Tribune, adding that production will be in addition to the usual pellets made at United made for other ArcelorMittal steel mills. The Mustang is a “superflux” pellet that incorporates limestone in a special recipe. In more good news for CN, it’s likely the lime- stone for the Mustang pellets will be delivered by rail from Duluth. CN already brings limestone from Duluth to US Steel’s Min- ntac Plant and ArcelorMittal’s Minorca plant.

The announcement was the second bit of good news on Minnesota’s Iron Range in the last few months. Cliffs last month recalled most of the workers at its Northshore Mining operations in Silver Bay and Babbitt who had been laid off since November. It also resumed operation of raw taconite trains over its 47-mile private railroad between the mine at Babbitt and the taconite plant at Sil- ver Bay.

While Minnesota will see increased taconite production, the news is bleak in Michigan’s Upper Penninsula. The Empire Mine near Negaunee is set to close permanently this summer. CN ore trains serve it from Escanaba, Mich. Empire is also served by Lake Superior & Ishpeming, which moves taconite pellets to its dock in Marquette. Once Empire closes there will be only one taconite mine remaining in Upper Michigan, the Tilden Mine served by Ishpeming.

From the ‘Mixed train’ Newsletter by the Camerail Club edited by Joel Boucher Feb 2014 Page 7 Northstar News July 2016 Volume 47 #6 Northstar Railway Historical Society July 2016

Great news for the NRHS summer convention. From John Goodman and Chuck Lavallee

Union Pacific's No. 844 steam locomotive will return to the tracks this summer as part of the special Denver-to-Cheyenne train for Cheyenne Frontier Days July 23rd 2016.

Hinckley Loop study completed - and other NLX updates from John Goodman June 14 2016

Hinckley Loop study completed In 2013, the Minnesota Department of Transportation and its partners, the Federal Railroad Administration and the Minneapolis- Duluth/Superior Passenger Rail Alliance, initiated the Hinckley Loop Study. The study explored the pos- sibility of constructing a direct passenger rail connection and station at Grand Casino Hinckley, rather than operating NLX on the existing BNSF railway, with a station in downtown Hinckley. Since an earlier ridership study suggested a more than 50 percent increase in ridership and a substantial increase in revenue, MnDOT felt it prudent to further investigate this concept. The Hinckley Loop Study investigated several potential routes and determined potential costs and benefits of a direct connection and a station at the casino. These findings were then compared to the potential costs and benefits of NLX operations remaining on the BNSF railway and the construction of a station in downtown Hinckley. The updated ridership forecasts found that implementation of the options considered in the Hinckley Loop study would increase overall ridership for the NLX Project by up to seven percent – much less than previous forecasts – however, the capital cost of the project would have increased by up to $87 million. Although the direct service to the casino would increase the overall ridership, the roughly 15 percent increase in capital cost outweighs the ridership benefit. As a result, MnDOT, in agreement with the FRA and the Alliance, has determined that the Hinckley Loop is no longer an option and has discontinued further study of the concept. Outreach activities kick off next phase of environmental work Outreach activities for the Northern Lights Express Project held earlier this year helped to kick-off the Tier 2 Project Level envi- ronmental review phase; activities included open houses, meetings with agencies in Wisconsin and Minnesota and presentations to local business associations and community groups. The four open houses were held in February and March 2016. The open house in Fridley provided an opportunity for interested stakeholders to discuss the Target Field Station and Coon Rapids Station. The Duluth open house served as a venue for those in- terested in the stations in Duluth and Superior. Additional open houses were hosted at other station sites in Cambridge and Hinck- ley. More than 100 community members and local media attended the open houses and viewed draft concepts for the selected sta- tion and maintenance facility sites and potential layover sites. Information on the Tier 2 Project Level environmental review phase was also presented. Overall, attendees expressed support for the NLX project and had questions on the cost of fares, schedule and potential impacts. Participants at the Hinckley open house voiced agreement for discontinuing the Hinckley Loop study. Meeting materials and a summary of the open houses are available on the project website. Outreach activities will continue throughout the summer, including presentations and informational tables provided by the Minne- apolis-Duluth/Superior Passenger Rail Alliance. Keep an eye out for NLX information at upcoming county fairs in Isanti, Pine, Carlton and St. Louis counties. Railroad speak: rail crossings What are rail grade crossings? Rail grade crossings are locations where a roadway crosses railroad tracks at the same level rather than crossing above or below the tracks. A rail grade crossing can either be on public or private land. Public crossings are roadways under the jurisdiction of a public agency, such as a state, county or city highway/public works department. Private crossings are where the roadway is pri- vately owned; for example, a residential driveway, an access road to an industrial plant or a roadway on farmland. How many rail grade crossings are in the NLX Corridor? In the NLX Corridor, there are 125 public and 44 private rail grade crossings. Continued on Next page:

Page 8 Northstar News July 2016 Volume 47 #6 Northstar Railway Historical Society July 2016

Continued from Previous Page: Will the NLX Project impact rail grade crossings? The rail grade crossings in the existing BNSF corridor were originally designed for freight trains traveling at relatively slow speeds. For passenger trains traveling at speeds up to 90 MPH, like NLX, crossing warning devices, and possibly the roadway, will need to be upgraded to maintain rail, roadway, and pedestrian safety. How can rail grade crossings be improved? Grade crossing improvements depend on the characteristics of the crossing. The most effective grade crossing improvement is to provide grade separation, but this is only practical where traffic volume is high. In the NLX Corridor, grade separation is already in place in most locations with high traffic volumes. MnDOT will also study where a crossing can be closed, but this will only occur where other reasonable routes to cross the tracks are available and access to property can be maintained in some other way. Other grade crossing improvements include installing warning devices. The NLX Project is considering active warning devices: automatic gate systems, flashing-light signals and advanced warning flashers. These active warning devices along with passive de- vices, such as signs and pavement markings, help communicate to drivers and pedestrians on how they should react at a grade crossing. Specific types of grade crossing systems include dual gates with flashers either with or without a non-mountable median and a four -quadrant gates system with gates on both the right and left sides of the road to block the entire roadway. Medians are effective in discouraging motorists from driving around dropped gates. Dual gates with flashers is the minimum investment being recommended for NLX project crossings. Grade crossing warning de- vices will be recommended during the Tier 2 Project Level environmental review phase of the project, which will conclude in spring 2017. Agency spotlight: Wisconsin Department of Transportation The Wisconsin Department of Transportation focuses on developing and implementing transportation policies, plans, programs and practices throughout the state. WisDOT strives to do this in a sustainable way that respects the environment and stimulates the economy. WisDOT is working in cooperation with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to ensure success in implementing the NLX Project and developing a station in Superior, Wisconsin. The NLX project is working with WisDOT’s Northwest Region- al office staff, Anna Davey, on all project tasks related to the state of Wisconsin . Station spotlight: Coon Rapids The Coon Rapids station site is located on Foley Boulevard, north of Highway 610, and east of the existing BNSF railroad tracks. The site has convenient local and regional access via Coon Rapids Boulevard, East River Road, and Highway 610. Connection to existing transit service is also readily available as the station is across the street from the Metro Transit Foley Boulevard Park and Ride facility. Developing a passenger rail station in this location is consistent with the city’s land use planning and transportation goals identified in the Foley Boulevard Station Area Plan. The station will be built on land owned by the Anoka County Regional Railroad Authority and doesn’t require any private property acquisition. Additionally, the site is large enough to accommodate all typical station program elements that will be standard at NLX stations:  Designed to meet the needs of a modern intercity passenger rail service  Will meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act  500-foot-long platform with warming shelters  Climate controlled station building with passenger waiting area  On-site ticket kiosk machines  Short-term and long-term parking  Multimodal access with efficient passenger, taxi and bus drop-off  Bicycle parking and connections to area bicycle trails

Continue on Next page:

Page 9 Northstar News July 2016 Volume 47 #6 Northstar Railway Historical Society July 2016 Continued from previous Page:

Conceptual layout of the Coon Rapids station More about NLX Learn more about the NLX project: www.mndot.gov/nlx

100 years ago May 29 1916: The original "Empire Builder" passes. posted by: [email protected] vermontanan Date: Sun May 29, 2016 6:11 pm ((PDT))

J. J. Hill Dead In St. Paul Home At The Age of 77 Special to THE NEW YORK TIMES ST. PAUL, May 29--James J. Hill, builder of the "Northwest Empire," died at 9:30 A.M. today at his house, 240 Summit Avenue. In his room, in the southeast corner on the second floor of the brownstone house, overlooking the city to which he came sixty years ago as a clerk, the end came. His age, 77 years, was a handicap in combating the hemorrhoidal infection, which dates from May 17.

At the bedside were the children, hastily summoned from homes throughout the nation, the only member of the immediate family not present being Mrs. Anson M. Beard of New York. Kneeling at the bed, her hands clasping the hand of the man whose wife and helpmate she had been since 1867, was Mrs. Hill. Near by was the Rev. Thomas J. Gibbons, Vicar General of the Catholic Diocese of St. Paul, Mr. Hill having for years been on intimate terms with the clergy here, though not a member of the Church to which his wife belongs. Dr. Hermann M. Biggs, who was called into consultation during the last illness of the financier, was the only physi- cian present as the end approached. Drs. William F. and Charles H. Mayo had gone; there was no more they could do. John J. Toomey, Mr. Hill's confidential business agent for many years, left the Hill residence twenty minutes after his chief died. Shortly afterward came Ralph Budd, assistant to Louis W. Hill, President of the Great Northern. Then came Louis W. Hill. The latter walked between the Rev. Father Gibbons and George A. MacPherson, intimate friend of the family. Grief, showing plainly in the faces of all the men, was most poignant in the face of the son, Louis, who will take up the generalship of the interests his father built and husbanded. The funeral will be held at his Summit Avenue home at 2 P.M. Wednesday.

The family statement was as follows: Interment will be in a private mausoleum to be erected at North Oaks, long the Summer home of the empire builder. St. Paul, Minn., May 29, 1916 Mr. Hill passed away very peacefully after several hours of uncon- sciousness. All the members of the immediate family were present except one daughter, Mrs. Anson Beard, who will arrive tonight, and one grandson, James N.B. Hill, son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hill, who will arrive from Cambridge tomorrow. Page 10 Northstar News July 2016 Volume 47 #6 Northstar Railway Historical Society July 2016 Photos from Gary Rumler, Retired C&NW Engineer and Railfan

C&NW ALCO RSD-4 Winona MN 1969 C&NW 400 E7 diesels at SPUD July 7 1963 CN&W FM H10 Niagra WI 1970

C&NW FM Shawano WI June 6 1960 C&NW at Menomonie WI May 6 1963 ALCO RS-1 E St Paul MN March 22 1964

From Mixed Train Newsletter –Joel Boucher May 2016

Page 11 Northstar News July 2016 Volume 47 #6 Northstar Railway Historical Society July 2016

Page 12 Northstar News July 2016 Volume 47 #6 Northstar Railway Historical Society July 2016 Remember the Minnesota State Fair Midway? 1960’s, 1970’s Royal American Shows to the Minnesota State Fail by rail. Pictures by Dennis Borrell From Minnesota Railroads Facebook Group

BNSF Derailment Cottowood MN June 10 2010 Local Press: a BNSF train Derailed in Cottonwood MN About half way between Marshall and Wilmar MN.

Page 13 Northstar News July 2016 Volume 47 #6 Northstar Railway Historical Society July 2016

On Monday June 14 2016 Amtrak P42 Power brought a special Private Train to the Twin Cities. This train operated as the ’Front Range Special’ and arrived at the former Amtrak station in Midway. Bringing up the rear was Clark Johnson’s Private Car ‘Caritas’.

Page 14 Northstar News july 2016 Volume 47 #6 Northstar Railway Historical Society July 2016

Northern Lights Express Update May 24 , 2016 from Rick Krenske ON THE BEAT- Minneapolis Star & Tribune. Rail line to Duluth picks up steam.

TRANSPORTATION JANET MOORE While the battle raged at the Legislature this session over the controversial Southwest light-rail line, another rail project in Minnesota quietly hit an important milestone last week. Environmental fieldwork for the Northern Lights Express high-speed passenger rail line between Minneapolis and Duluth is expected to begin this month. The price tag for the project is between $500 million and $600 million, but that has yet to be secured from federal and local sources. Amtra- k’s North Star service was discontinued along that route in 1985 because of flagging ridership and service problems. But there’s been talk about reviving the service at least since 1989, according to past Star Tribune stories. Four daily roundtrips The Minne- sota Department of Transportation, which is leading the Northern Lights charge, said the proposed line will operate on 152 miles of existing BNSF Railway track. If built, the train would take about 2.5 hours (about the same as driving to Duluth) traveling at speeds up to 90 mph. The line would start at Target Field Station, with stops in Coon Rapids, Cambridge, Hinckley (serving the Grand Casino), Duluth and Superior, Wis. Four round trips are planned daily, and the service would be operated by Amtrak. Results of the required environmental studies, which are expected to be wrapped up by this fall, would be released early next year. MnDOT says field activities will involve “multiple contractors working on-site near the rail corridor and at station and facility loca- tions.” A number of considerations will be updated in the study, including track infrastructure, crossings, stations, and layover and maintenance facilities. The impact on social, cultural, environmental and transportation aspects will be evaluated, as well. Once the study is done, there will be time for the public to comment on it. An earlier environmental study looked at different alternatives, ultimately settling on the current route along the BNSF corridor. Steve Raukar, the head of the Minneapolis-Duluth Passenger Rail Alliance, says momentum is building in favor of the project, which could begin service as early as 2020. Duluth tourism grow- ing “The Duluth area is seeing a growth in tourism, and this is one more way for people to get up to the North Shore, which is where they want to be,” he said. Projected annual ridership is 700,000 to 750,000 trips the first year, with one million trips esti- mated by 2040. Annual operating costs are projected to be $17.5 million, with most covered by passenger fares, according to MnDOT. Fares are expected to be about $30 one-way. Funding is always a controversial and divisive piece for any new rail pro- ject. Northern Lights got some good news late last year when the price was cut in half, from about $1 billion, because the top speed of the train was reduced from 110 mph (requiring its own set of tracks). Unlike light-rail projects, which are funded with grants totaling 50 percent of the cost from the Federal Transit Administration, 80 percent of the Northern Lights project would be funded by the Federal Railroad Administration. The remaining 20 percent — $100 million to $120 million — would come from yet-to-be -determined local sources. This could be counties, cities, the private sector and/or the state — although the latter is a dicey prospect. MnDOT has said that there would be “cost-sharing discussions” with BNSF.

St. Paul Union Depot gets Coffee House May 26, 2016 provided by Rick Krenske While an anchor restaurant is still being determined, the management of St. Paul Union Depot has announced that a coffee shop will also be part of the new food and drink lineup. Java Express is expected to open at the Lowertown transit and gathering hub starting June 20. Meanwhile, the process continues to find a tenant to take over the Christos space. The Greek restaurant will host its last meal Thursday, according to a staff member who answered the phone Wednesday. Christos’ lease expires at the end of May. In April, Union Depot owner Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority opened a bidding process for someone to come in and run a restaurant in that space and operate the depot’s catering operation. Proposals are under review, with a bid expected to be awarded by July 1. Java Express is separate from that process. When the coffee shop opens next month, it will be located temporarily along the origi- nal train ticketing windows. Eventually, owner Crystal Scott will run her coffee spot in a permanent space in the northwest corner of the main building. (Center Photo by Bob Ball, others from the Web)

Page 15 Northstar News July 2016 Volume 47 #6 Northstar Railway Historical Society July 2016 Railfan Events (Thanks to Rick Krenske, Cy Svobodny, Russ Isbrandt)

Twin City Model Railroad Muse- Saturday September 17 2016 Education Building $6 um 9 AM - 4 PM Minnesota State Fairgrounds St Paul MN Model Railroad and Toy Train Fall Hobby Sale Granite City Train Show October 29 2016 National Guard Armory, $6 10AM—3PM 1710 Veteran's Drive, (Date Estimated!!) St Cloud, Minnesota Newport Train Club Train Show October 15 2016 WoodBury High School $5 9:30 am to 2 PM 2665 woodlane Drive

La Crosse Rail Fair July 16 2016 Copeland Park $5 9:30 am to 2 pm 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. La Crosse, WI 54603

______Northstar News 1515 Creek Meadow Dr NW Coon Rapids MN 55433 3768 Address Correction Requested

Page 16 Northstar News July 2016 GN NP & SPS trains from the 1960’s to 1970 , and CB&Q trains from the 1960’s thru Early BN in 1970 and 1971 are now available. $20 Each, 3 for $50. ALL proceeds go to Main- taining and improving our Railroad Library! Ordering on the Web is coming soon, using PayPal. Web site URL should be in the Septem- ber Issue. These are 1960’s to 2000’s historic 8mm films from the Wm. Cordes and H. Martin Swan, Russ Isbrandt, & Guy Wick- sall collections converted and edited to DVD. [email protected] For more info. Preview of DVD’s on Youtube (link —>. https://youtu.be/4ErQ2iQcAB0 Promo video will be updated soon. New DVD’s added, ‘UP and SP in the West’, ‘AT&SF, DRG&W Vintage films’, ‘SOO, MN&S, DM&IR, DWP Vintage Films’, ‘Eastern RR Potpourri’, ‘Trolley’s, Streetcars and ’, and the ‘BN Railroad 1970-1986’.

Page 17 Northstar News July 2016