Passenger Trains > Status of BNSF in Minnesota today

From an observer who lives a mile from the BNSF main line near Minneapolis:

> Today I drove up to St Cloud, all of 50 miles. I saw one westbound
> train, sitting. One the way I met five eastbound trains on the main,
> sitting. On the way back after a cup of coffee in Waite Park, the 5
> trains were still there over an hour later, most in the Clear Lake
> area. At Big Lake the westbound went screaming by with North Star
> (passenger train) right behind, slightly behind schedule.

> Usually I see the same number of trains on a trip like this but they
> are moving.
>
> The BNSF main is a mile away (from home) so I have to cross it often.
> I do lots of waiting for trains. If I am not waiting I can generally
> look down the track and see a train coming.
>
> The railroad is a mess.


I hope it was only because it was Sunday...

Yes, the BNSF has been a "mess" in Minnesota and Wisconsin,
even on Sundays, due to track work gangs who are feverishly
working to make upgrades before snow hits. By the calendar, on
average they only have about three to four weeks until the white
stuff begins in earnest. November, according to climatologists
is the snowiest month in Minnesota (and the most cloudy month
as well) with March (known for its blizzards here)at a
close second. CP in Minnesota has been very busy ... train
count is up.

we are getting longer trains around here also. yesterday we had a 542 axle west bound mixed manifest train through wayzata, mn in the afternoon. dave, out.