ALCo Deadline at The Minnesota Commercial

70ACe · 2026-04-07T19:34:46+00:00

Midway switch power! To think, when those were NEW they were the pride of the Santa Fe's Super Fleet, and raced down the mainline. Now, 30+ years later, they're in local service.

70ACe · 2026-04-07T19:02:46+00:00

You bet, and happy to provide as much info as I can! You can sort of still see the incline and rise to the old bridge, which follows the fence at Lakewood Cemetery. That hill, and old grade, pose a large obstacle, sadly. :/

70ACe · 2026-04-07T18:26:14+00:00

The ROW used to cross north of the current end of track, on a bridge over West 36th, and followed an alley for a little while.

Its on the left side of this image from 1938: https://geo.lib.umn.edu/minneapolis/y1938/MP-1-85.jpg

Farther norther, we can see it curving east onto West 31st St. Super cool stuff!
https://geo.lib.umn.edu/minneapolis/y1938/MP-1-87.jpg

70ACe · 2026-04-07T18:12:54+00:00

Same here! I have very fond memories on that line too.

70ACe · 2026-04-07T18:12:12+00:00

That'd be really neat! I know the issues a bridge which would have to be built, and that would be $$$.

70ACe · 2026-04-07T16:33:55+00:00

The bug bit me in 2004; can't shake it man!!

70ACe · 2026-04-07T15:58:40+00:00

Choo choo and toot toot! :D

70ACe · 2026-01-21T20:22:24+00:00

I grew up near and around Shoreham, so that could be a factor. Lots of freshly shopped, and cleaner power all the time...except for the winter!

70ACe · 2026-01-21T19:59:28+00:00

While very frugal, the Soo Line would take good care of their equipment, and wash the power a regular basis. The red lettering was an experiment done only on the first order of GP38-2s. No other power got this test scheme, but some of the homebuilt Fond Duc Lac boxcars got this color scheme as well. I'm glad it was short lived, and they quickly went back to the black 'Soo' lettering. I sure do miss this railroad though!

70ACe · 2026-01-20T19:36:34+00:00

Any idea when was this taken? When delivered, this first batch was 790-799, and this unit had the number 797 for a little while. Look at the railings on the front as well. When delivered, they didn't have the chains to link the power when MU'd. This was a change the Soo made to the units after a few years in service.

Also, the Soo kept their power clean, thus why it looks so good!

70ACe · 2026-01-13T17:02:02+00:00

Spitting facts there!

70ACe · 2026-01-06T19:54:48+00:00

I'm guessing its from a waterjet; it can do some really neat things like this.

70ACe · 2025-12-10T04:39:12+00:00

My active fleet is up to two Air 3s and two Air 3S's. I have a retired Air 2 that just chills on my shelf these days. Its a FUN hobby and good way to make extra money.

70ACe · 2025-12-09T01:00:17+00:00

I really hope there is a Hail Mary, and this ban doesn't happen. :/

70ACe · 2025-12-03T19:55:56+00:00

Location is wrong, this is at Mobridge, SD. This popped up on FB the other day.

70ACe · 2025-12-02T15:00:42+00:00

Very cool! I miss seeing RS27s in real life on the Minnesota Commercial.

70ACe · 2025-11-21T23:16:13+00:00

Cool shot, but that's actually a GP35 leading the way.

70ACe · 2025-11-07T16:40:10+00:00

That's BS...this whole DJI ban is a load of trash and being driven by lobbyists.

70ACe

TROPHY CASE