Nostalgia & History > The Rochester 400 -- Walt Dunlap

The entry in Wikipedia nicely tells the story of the train:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochester_400

In its final configuration shown in Walt's pictures, the Rochester 400 ran between Chicago and Mankato, MN which is 125 miles beyond (west of) Rochester, MN.  Rochester is the home of the Mayo Clinic.

1. A CNW E7A with the Rochester 400 west of Rochester, MN on November 22, 1962.

2. CNW E8A 5024A with the eastbound Rochester 400, at the east edge of Rochester, MN June 6, 1963.

3. CNW E8A 5030A with the eastbound Rochester 400 leaving Rochester, MN on Christmas Day, 1962.



 



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/01/19 22:37 by MartyBernard.

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4. A CNW E8A with the eastbound Rochester 400 at 13th Ave. NE, Rochester, MN on February 9, 1963.

5. A eastbound CNW Rochester 400 at Rochester, MN in October 1962.

6. CNW's Rochester 400 eastbound crossing the Zumbro River from the East Canter Street Bridge,  Rochester, MN on May 29, 1963.

Enjoy Walt's photos,
Marty Bernard



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/01/19 22:39 by MartyBernard.

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looks like the last car had the different doors, plus lounge and dining?

Fantastic shots, Number 3 is off the scale.

Like the photos very much!

Q: what causes the "weathering" that consistently shows up emanating from the lead axle on each of these E units (except in the last photo)? Did this C&NW line have a lot of mud-pumping locations in the RoW?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/02/19 03:36 by JPB.

dan Wrote:
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> looks like the last car had the different doors,
> plus lounge and dining?

The final consists in 1963 included coaches, a diner-lounge, and a parlor car.

Art House

What wonderful slides of a C&NW train I've never seen before. Thanks for brightening my day !  --Kelly

Very nice photos. Remarkably consistent train make-up.

The "Rochester 400" did have a consistent lineup of cars.   Going west, the baggage/lounge was directly behind the
lone E-unit, the next two or three were coaches depending on traffic load, then the parlor.  If you notice on one of the
eastbound trains, you can see a round window which was a nurse's room (you have to remember, this train was
used for Mayo patients).  The train operated correctly when west bound, and in late years was not turned at
Mankato, merely the locomotive turned and ran around the passenger consist, therefore when eastbound,
the parlor was first, the baggage/lounge last.

Nice shots!! Old C&NW passenger train and engine crews, based in Winona, MN and worked to and from Mankato, MN.