Nostalgia & History > CNW Waist Deep in Minnesota Snow

Minnesota winters can be brutal to railroads. Some years can see up to 100 inches of snow. Railroads operating in the wide open areas of southern Minnesota were often plagued not only with snow but with high winds resulting in drifting that covered the right-of-ways. During many winters, the Chicago and North Western's line from Winona, MN westward across the state into South Dakota often had a constant battle against the elements. In the first photograph, witness CNW Train 482 waist deep in snow as it plows its way through Dodge Center, MN on 2/7/82. The train is powered by three ex-Rock Island GP7’s (#4197 / 4184 / 4126). In the second photo, which was taken earlier near Owatonna MN, we see the same train as it traverses the open prairie. Snow has filled in right of way to the same level as the tracks.

After the final CNW Alcos migrated from the Huron Line east to Wisconsin in June 1981, the CNW replaced them on this line with the recently acquired ex-Rock Island Geeps. Solid sets of up to five units of the 4100’s became common on the line but only for a brief time. The demise of their dominance on the line was reportedly prompted by two factors. The first was Stockton Hill. This hill that lifted the CNW out of the Mississippi River valley was at that time the steepest grade on the system. The Geeps were not as able to lug tonnage up the hill as well as their predecessor Alco units had done so. Doubling and tripling the hill was not uncommon. The second factor was the recession that raged at that time. The downturn in traffic lead to the availability of SD40-2’s that previously had only plied the mainlines. As a result, the Geeps were shortly to be replaced by their newer and bigger six axle brethren. For a short period, however, it was like a flashback to the 1950’s.

Thanks for looking.

Gary Helling

Thanks for posting the photos.

I remember the 6600 series SD18s (ex Southern and UP de-turboed SD24s) after the geeps. Then the ex BN SD45s took over before the DM&E.

I really miss the Alcos!

Dennis

Dennis,

You are correct. The reign of the SD40-2's only lasted until the economy started to pick up. The line even saw Union Pacific SD40-2's powering the through freights. The SD18's began their domination of the line around the beginning of 1984 but this only lasted until fall of 1984 when the ex-BN SD45's took over. An occasional ex-CR SD45 was found on the line but by far the ex-BN's were the norm. Upon arrival of the SD45's, the SD18's could still be found on the line but no longer regularly in the solid SD18 consists. By the summer of 1986, just before the purchase of the line by the DM&E, there was a real mixed bag of models (both GP and SD) plying the line. Even though the Alco's were dearly missed, the Northwestern kept things interesting with their motive power assignments.

Gary



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/04/10 09:29 by ShoptonFan.