Classic Winter Trains Along the Mississippi River: Burlington Northern, Soo Line, CNW, GB&W, CC&P

[@Steve_Hunts96]

39:23 This view is now obstructed by trees that have grown over the years along the former Soo line, but amazingly, those signals used at River Junction are still in use!

[@CVisionProductions1]

You’re right. Trees and brush have become a significant problem along many railroad right-of-ways. It seems that in the days of double track and pole line, railroads really kept their property clear. Things certainly have changed! As for the signals, that’s pretty cool. With all the signal upgrades happening along that corridor, it won’t be long before changes are made. Thank you for the comment.

[@25mfd]

@ 31:17... the condr there is steve kasten... i hired on with the CNW back in sept of 93 and worked the winona job for a little bit... i had this video back then and told him he was in it... he asked me if they got his "good side"... i said steve you don't have a good side... he laughed

[@CVisionProductions1]

We appreciate you sharing your story. It was a treat to be able to release this footage with Mr. Kasten yarding his ADWIA in Winona. The thumbnail for this video wouldn’t be the same without him! One of our contributors had the pleasure of working with Steve, and had nothing but great things to say about him.

[@andrewcrumb8027]

You know, speaking of GP30s, it reminds of the time when I was on board the Cincinnati Dinner Train with my little sister Rowan, Aunt Christine and Uncle Mike. My aunt and uncle arranged with the owner of the train to let me climb on board the former Nickel Platte Road GP30 which was powering the train. I was given a tour inside the cab of the engine, and the engineer let me sit in the driver seat and test the throttle, blow the horn and ring the bell. That was the best day of my entire life.

[@CVisionProductions1]

We are aware of that locomotive. It’s awesome! Thanks for sharing that story.

[@andrewcrumb8027]

@@CVisionProductions1 You're welcome. And I see what you mean. I mentioned it in your Central Montana Railroad video.

[@CVisionProductions1]

We appreciate that as well! Your comments and stories are always welcome on our videos.

[@andrewcrumb8027]

@@CVisionProductions1 Thank you very much! And I'll be looking forward to new full videos that you'll post.

[@bestfriendhank1424]

It was nice to see an old, retired, coworker on that CNW Winona train shoving into the yard. He had some great stories from the “old days”. Fun guy to work with.

[@CVisionProductions1]

We’re happy that we could include him in the video! We also know who it is. Great guy!

[@albert1437]

Looks. So cool

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you Albert!

[@danielneeley5480]

The nat m3 on the GBW sounded great!!

[@CVisionProductions1]

The Green Bay & Western had some nice horns on those Alcos. Thank you for your comment!

[@DCxViper]

something about the BN's Horn is so addicting to the ears

[@CVisionProductions1]

We completely agree! They have a very nice sound.

[@ebnertra0004]

I miss RS3Ks so much...

[@PlanetMojo]

What a difference 30 years makes! I live along the Mississippi River near Genoa (south of Stoddard), and those dual tracks almost never have anything but BNSF trains on them. They installed high speed switches everywhere, and there are always trains stopped along that stretch. It's rare to see a Burlington Northern locomotive or car, but the other day I saw four old locos from obsolete railways with a green BN engine in the lead pulling a train of what looked like cars headed for the scrap yard. The vast majority were old green BN hoppers. CN owns the old Soo track on the Iowa/Minnesota side of the river these days, you never see them on the Wisconsin side along the river. The CNW engines bring back memories. We used to hang out on one of their trestles in the Milwaukee area back in the late 60's and 70's. They all had cabooses back then 😮

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you for sharing your observations and stories! Yes, things have really changed in the railroad world since then. At least the beautiful scenery is nearly the same today!

[@PlanetMojo]

@@CVisionProductions1 As far as the scenery goes, it could have been taken a week ago. Thanks for sharing that great old film! 😊

[@mjrodriguez8670]

Thank you, Chris, for your Christmas gift, made possible by Dan Hadley!

[@CVisionProductions1]

You’re welcome, MJ! Merry Christmas!

[@TrainMann]

As a La Crosse local, I’ve been looking everywhere for footage of Grand Crossing back then-this is great!!

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you! We hope to have some other videos around the La Crosse area soon.

[@johnwinter8273]

Classic railroading from days of multiple Class 1 and regional railroads. Winter action makes it better.❄️👍🇺🇲

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you for your thoughts, John! The 90s had lots of variety. And you can’t go wrong with a nice snowy landscape!

[@Zebrails]

I grew up around those parts (so to speak), but have been in western Canada 22+ years... Lovely footage captured in this video... John

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you, John! Happy to share it with you.

[@ronaldballew3122]

Hello This was a fun video and very cool, We had a very cold spell in Milwaukee, Love to watch trains in the snow, Brother Ron Train nerd Wisconsin Love the great train Horns,

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you, Ron! Stay warm this winter!

[@andrewcrumb8027]

Oh! I just remembered. I was looking at the Google Map, and I found that the Burlington Northern mainline from Savanna, Illinois [Now BNSF] and the Chicago and North Western mainline from Clinton, Iowa [Now Union Pacific] leave the east side of the Mississippi River Valley and cross each other over double track diamonds at Rochelle, Illinois on their way to Chicago.

[@CVisionProductions1]

That is correct, Andrew! There is a popular railfan park in Rochelle as well.

[@andrewcrumb8027]

@@CVisionProductions1 That's right. Ken Wise came up with the idea of this railfan park built in order to cope with the growing numbers of eager fans coming to Rochelle to watch trains, and he fought against great odds to make it an absolute reality. I would sure like to visit to Rochelle someday. You know, Pentrex spent a day there at the Rochelle Railfan Park in 1999 to view Union Pacific and BNSF trains travelling to and from Chicago in Volume 2 of the Sunrise to Sunset series.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Yes! We remember that. Interesting history right there. Thanks for refreshing our memory.

[@andrewcrumb8027]

@@CVisionProductions1 Anytime. And as I said, I would like to go to the Rochelle Railfan Park to watch trains. It will be fun.

[@miIwaukeeroad]

Trains back then were vibrant, colorful, and always lucky. Trains will never be the same.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Agreed! It was tough to beat the variety of yesteryear… Thanks for watching.

[@miIwaukeeroad]

@@CVisionProductions1 Yes. It is at least good we have videos like these that truly show the color of these days

[@RailWayBandit]

I love to see these colorful old trains without graffiti.

[@CVisionProductions1]

The classic freight cars in these older projects are becoming very popular! We love seeing them too.

[@dwayneday6439]

Corbin Conrail North Eastern Quality railroad seen the snow plow HELLO anwser nice to hear cleck clack clack back

[@CVisionProductions1]

Yes, that Green Bay & Western snow plow was pretty neat. Thanks for watching!

[@PhilTronics1]

Thank you for the early Christmas present!

[@CVisionProductions1]

You’re welcome! Thank you for watching!

[@artistikfunk5916]

Fine video! Classic railroading.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you very much! We’re glad that you enjoyed the video.

[@TheMetGuy]

This is awesome

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you, Maryland Railfanner!

[@benmullins2443]

The Palisades park in savanna is definitely one of my favorite places to watch trains. Its a great panoramic view of trains coming out of town and seeing them pick up speed as they keep heading north! I also worked for CP for a short while and did some work on the bridge in savanna as well as up the Marquette sub from Savanna all the way up into La Crescent, MN. Definitely nostalgic but don’t miss thermite welding in the winter. Very well done video yet again! I definitely love seeing your videos on trains of yesteryear. Nowadays it seems as if motive power is all a carbon copy of the next locomotive and the BNSF, UP and all other class 1 roads are trying to maintain their respective corporate image.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you so much, and we appreciate you sharing your story. Mississippi Palisades is an amazing park! As for the railroads these days, things aren’t what they used to be. That’s for sure. But at least we have lots of this old footage in the archives to share with you. Thank you for the comment.

[@Kmaster2007]

Ahhh, love seeing this footage without the narration and the better audio! I remember this from Great American Scenic Railroads

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you for watching! We try not to cover the train sounds with narration if we can help it.

[@slowb4lls1]

Great video thanks for sharing the original beasts of the rails

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you! And you’re very welcome. Thanks for watching.

[@Bob.W.]

Thanks.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you, Bob!

[@Nicola636128]

Excellent video!

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you so much! Glad that you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching.

[@kingoflovetrain6426]

Thank you so much for this awesome Christmas Gift C. Vision Claus

[@CVisionProductions1]

You are very welcome. Merry Christmas!!!

[@kingoflovetrain6426]

@@CVisionProductions1 Merry Christmas to you too! 🎅🏻🎄

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you!!!

[@CNW_GALENA_DIV.Nscale]

Great work.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you, Mel!

[@pauljung7611]

Yay another one this is the one I was waiting for cool.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thanks for watching, Paul!

[@ldegmtrainspotter]

Amazing movie! Awesome old images with trains in snow! Thumbs Up All the best from Dublin & Happy New Year Andrew

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you so much, Andrew! Greetings from Minnesota!!! We hope you have a great 2023.

[@ldegmtrainspotter]

@@CVisionProductions1 Thank you too! 🚂😉

[@Basinrails]

Merry Christmas, Chris!

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you! Merry Christmas to you!!

[@roberttaylor6600]

Congratulations on your new engine she looks great I love the layout and you have some serious Rolling Stock rail on my friend.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you, Robert!

[@colinmulder6806]

Dan Hadley has done it again. Another well documented video done for PENTREX. Wish I knew how to contact him to thank him personally. A special thanks goes to you too C. Vision Productions for sharing it to relive some hardcore memories of 90'S railroading.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you, Colin! We’ll pass the message along to Mr. Hadley. We look forward to sharing more of his work. We’re very pleased to hear that you are enjoying it. Stay tuned for more!

[@colinmulder6806]

@@CVisionProductions1 Can do & thanks again.

[@johnnyeveritt5695]

MUCH thanks for this somewhat unique [ Winter ] perspective of Railroading; mainly due to the fact that we in the Southern Hemisphere are enjoying mid-summer and that SNOW is unknown here on the east coast of South Africa ! Best Regards / Johnny

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you, Johnny! Greetings from Minnesota, USA!

[@Carter_H]

So cool to see what stuff looked like back in the day and how much has changed since then. I paid a visit to LaCrosse, East Dubuque and even stayed at an AirBNB in Ferryville for a few days which had a trackside view! Dan sure did a great job getting these unique and amazing shots, thanks for sharing!

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you so much, Carter! We enjoy looking back in time as well. We’re grateful that Mr. Hadley shared this footage with us.

[@dwayneday6439]

Excellent footage lacrosse division of the sea board legal right of 20% under title of Billie marsellies 20%*to bartlesville as workers for the Nebraska line phase old Milwaukee lacrosse 20% = thirty locamotives + kitchen crew 10,000 workers for Dallas crew150,000,000,000 Colorado 150,000,000,000 add to phase three 700,000,000,000 total bid on the old Milwaukee Nebraska phase to Omaha link to old Phase total work force of 20,000 leaves me 22,000 hump workers

[@andrewcrumb8027]

40:55 It was very common for the Soo Line sprint trains to be powered with a single locomotive.

[@CVisionProductions1]

That is correct, Andrew! You know your history.

[@andrewcrumb8027]

@@CVisionProductions1 Thank you.

[@CVisionProductions1]

You’re welcome.

[@Interesting_Banana]

Pleasantly surprised to see that BN GP30 in action, great video!

[@CVisionProductions1]

There were quite a few of those rebuilt units roaming the BN’s mainline back then. They were a treat to see!

[@Interesting_Banana]

​@@CVisionProductions1 so were the alco units!

[@CVisionProductions1]

Gotta love the GB&W! They were an Alco haven…

[@ebnertra0004]

Many of BN's GP30 rebuilds are still out there, mostly as GP39E, M, and Vs, though I haven't seen as many as even a few years ago. Of ckurse, I'n not out as much as I was then

[@Interesting_Banana]

@@ebnertra0004 they also don't have the unique gp30 cab that made it so cool in the first place

[@CSXEK]

I have a HO scale GP-9 I really like the BN paint scheme also there’s still an abundance of BN style crossings across the Ex BN rail network

[@CVisionProductions1]

The Burlington Northern paint schemes were all fantastic, in our opinion. And yes, you can still find cool old BN-era crossings out there on quite a few lines. Always a treat to see in action.

[@CSXEK]

@@CVisionProductions1 BNSF has been on a roll with replacing mechanical bells on all there crossings idk why but a lot of the BN crossings have had there mechanical bells replaced

[@CVisionProductions1]

We’ve noticed that. Very unfortunate. Many other railroads have been doing the same thing with their mechanical bells. Even ones that work as well as the day they were installed.

[@bnrailfannz8262]

What a grand way to spend Christmas Day watching this fabulous video. A favourite line of mine( I bought a video way back many years ago showing trains running on the line) so your video has made my day. A very Merry Christmas to you & thankyou for your many hours of viewing I've had.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Merry Christmas! Thank you for the kind words, my friend.

[@bnrailfannz8262]

@@CVisionProductions1 Stay safe there. Reading online about the severe weather you are having.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you! It’s very cold and very windy here. Not a good combination.

[@AMPProductionsVideo]

Great classic footage, Please keep them coming 👍 Merry Christmas ⛄🎄🎀

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you, AMP Productions! Merry Christmas to you as well. And will do!

[@rosemarycornwell1528]

Nice to go back to the days with no graffiti.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Gotta love those classic freight cars!

[@chrishaupt9739]

Nice train video c vision productions send me more of the train video

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you, Chris! Will do.

[@andrewcrumb8027]

I have that Pentrex release! It's awesome! By the way, did you know that those two SD60M's on BN train NT401 have very different styled cabs and slightly different paint schemes. This BN SD60M leading the train is a "Triclops" because it has three windows on the front of the cab.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you for watching, Andrew! And yes, we did notice that. Thanks for pointing it out!

[@andrewcrumb8027]

@@CVisionProductions1 My pleasure. 3:17 Burlington Northern GP39E [Rebuilt GP30, White Face] #2757 on a local train 17:33 and then leading an eastbound freight across the Soo Line/Burlington Northern [Now Canadian Pacific/BNSF] diamonds.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Yes! Same unit leading both trains. Makes you wonder if that freight either picked up 2757 at La Crosse as a new leader, or if the train originated in La Crosse?

[@andrewcrumb8027]

@@CVisionProductions1 It sure does make me wonder.

[@Robert-ki7bz]

Good stuff, but the whole trains aren't being shown. Only a few cars on the head end and back end.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you, Robert! And you are correct, some of the trains were far too long to show in their entirety. Thank you for watching and for the comment.

[@Robert-ki7bz]

@@CVisionProductions1 No trains should be too long to show in their entirety.

[@danmathers141]

Are RRs using cabooses again?

[@CVisionProductions1]

Only in rare circumstances, unfortunately. With this footage being from 1993, many trains still required cabooses, either due to collective bargaining agreements, or operational reasons.

[@Belleville197]

Sadness envelops me

[@RailPreserver2K]

Im sure a lot of shots are next to impossible now due to stuff being over grown or abandoned or inaccessible

[@CVisionProductions1]

All correct. Railroads used to keep their right-of-ways nearly clear cut, but times have changed. Thank you for the comment.

[@ShawnCalay]

This was my dads area...normally Cicero-eola-savanna....as well as my area on CC.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Very cool! These were (and still are) some neat rail lines. This region is also quite beautiful, especially the areas along the Mississippi River. We appreciate the comment.

[@ShawnCalay]

@@CVisionProductions1 I may have to get this, I'm a otr truck driver now owning my own company if 13 trucks....I'm so busy and can't get drivers fast enough my dog and I have been on the road for 458 days straight now. I never bought a house yet after I moved out of Illinois...I need to get a UPS box and order this up, makes me wonder about how many of these my father or I was on....

[@CVisionProductions1]

We appreciate that! Unfortunately, if you’re looking for a DVD, this production is only available on KZbin. However, you may have another option. Pentrex worked with the videographer, Mr. Dan Hadley, to produce a video using this same footage back in the 1990s. We assume that it’s still available. “Winter Along the Upper Mississippi”, is the name of that show.

[@shahenmoner]

LIBYA

[@CVisionProductions1]

Greetings from Minnesota!!!

[@jordantherailfanner7506]

only 4 cnw trains? maybe 5. that’s sad.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Hi, Jordan. Thanks for watching the video.