Nostalgia & History > BB: GN E7A 509 w/Gopher pass train Mpls 1964

Another Bruce Black classic, this one taken in Minneapolis on May 16, 1964. The E7 in the lead is #509 and he labeled it "tr.No 20 Gopher". Notice what the lettering says on the grain elevator, and the 40' box cars .. and is that the yellow nose of an NP unit far down the tracks? A time machine!

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Awesome...like something from another planet.

Adam

Very nice, thank you for sharing.

Al Seever
Phoenix, AZ

I'm liking that - That's great! === === = === JLH

does anybody have an idea the exact location ... i'd like to take looksie back in time via historic aerials and compare it to today's PCs of the area with using goo maps and/or Bing

Posted from Android

An "A+" image capturing a unique slice of history. Thanks for posting this.
Bob

Out_Of_Service Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> does anybody have an idea the exact location ...
> i'd like to take looksie back in time via historic
> aerials and compare it to today's PCs of the area
> with using goo maps and/or Bing
>
> Posted from Android

I don't know that much about Mpls area but a quick look at Google, based on the 'Shoreham' on the grain elevators got me to Shoreham yard and a large grain elevator that sure looks like the one in the pic is nearby and it says 'malt-one' (I think) on it. Around University Ave and 30th ... but there is an even larger elevator further north but it seems to close to the yard compared to Bruce's shot.

Out_Of_Service Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> does anybody have an idea the exact location ...
> i'd like to take looksie back in time via historic
> aerials and compare it to today's PCs of the area
> with using goo maps and/or Bing
>
You're looking more or less south from St. Anthony Boulevard.  The trackage
on the left is the south end of Northtown Yard, so yes, that's an NP geep in
the distance.  The train is on joint GN/NP trackage and will veer off at Coon
Creek, about five miles ahead, for it's trip to Duluth.  

The truss overpass of this yard trackage, today this is the south end of BNSF's
Northtown Yard, also the 35th Street Interlocking, is in the process of being replaced
and it would be cool if someone could get some before an after shots here.  

Nick Tharalson,
Marion, IA



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/27/15 08:31 by ntharalson.

Thanks, Marty!  You reminded me, "The going's great, when you go Great Northern!"
I rode the Gopher, and counterpart Badger, many times during the 60s.  You captured
it perfectly.  It was a great way to go from St.Paul/Minneapolis to Duluth year 'round,
but especially in the winter.  I clearly remember the interstate highway being built
during the late 60s early 70s seen from the train.  With faster highway speed on the
highway, and the coming of Amtrak, the train's days were numbered.

OOS, start here: 196 St Anthony Pkwy, Minneapolis, MN

dave, out

thanks fellas ... and Marty for posting ...

Posted from Android

Nick

To further clarify just a bit, the train is just entering the switchtender territory at 35th St.  The track the train is on and the one to the immediate right is the double track GN line to Minneapolis Jct. where it split to either the Minneapolis depot or to Union Yard.  Between the track the train is on and the standing box cars is the double track NP freight main via East Minneapolis to St. Paul.  The two tracks angling off to the right past the searchlight signal is the double track NP passenger main that came out through the "Hole in the Wall" at the Minneapolis depot.  The three double track lines all converged at 35th St. 

Gordon     



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/26/15 20:39 by gbmott.

Thanks for this.  While I'm good on the location, this was not a spot I regularly visited during
my Twin City days.  (I'm a St. Paul guy, what can I say?)  So the actual trackage does elude
me. 

Nick Tharalson,
Marion, IA