Street Running and Bad Track on the Minnesota Commercial

[@mnfrench7603]

Man, I worked a warehouse off Myrtle for about 4 years. Watched the Commercial roll between us and Kenworth (4:37), And before that I watched them from a third floor warehouse of NE Kennedy, hauling for Cream of Wheat. Life was simpler.

[@SD457500]

Small world, and I bet you have some good memories seeing rail operations. It would be neat if Cream of What was still in operation to this day.

[@wilson561]

I liked seeing the bad track and old engine. Street running while switching industries, it doesn't get any better. Thanks for sharing this.

[@arloallen-dipasquale7481]

Awesome video! While there's nothing wrong with watching some GEVOs tear down the mainline with a miles long stack train, there's something special about watching a shortline RR with unique equipment perform these sorts of switching/industrial operations. It really is a window into a bygone era, and seeing all the inactive rails is really indicative of how much more common these kinds of moves used to be. Would love to see more videos similar to this!

[@SD457500]

Thank you very much! Your comment is spot on; these views are a window into how railroading once was in a lot of the USA. As much as I love seeing a mainline freight roar past, seeing scenes such as this are equally interesting. I will certainly be posting more scenes like this in the future. I do have a video of Progressive Rail working Bloomington if you'd like the link to it.

[@arloallen-dipasquale7481]

@@SD457500 I'd love a link to it!

[@SD457500]

@@arloallen-dipasquale7481 Here it is! I've been meaning to get back to them, and shoot more of their operations. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mXOomJ-set1_qbM

[@williambryant5946]

When they was spotting the tank cars at 0:55 and 3:40 is the first time I've seen one of the "Thiele" tank cars besides as a model. Nice video.

[@SD457500]

Thanks for the comment! I had always wondered where these cars go on the Minnesota Commercial, now we both know. :D

[@struck2soon]

Really enjoyed seeing that shunting around the slightly seedy part of town, it is just something you don’t see here in the UK. (They ripped those sidings up years ago.)

[@SD457500]

Glad you enjoyed it! This sort of scene is getting harder and harder to find, and this is one of the last places in my area like this.

[@Cnw8701]

Trucks have gradually taken over local operations like this over the decades here in America. Long-distance unit trains are the way of the future now.

[@andrewpalm2103]

I really like seeing industrial switching action. I grew up in Michigan City, Indiana, so I've seen street running since I was a little kid; but I still enjoy watching it, especially in factory areas.

[@SD457500]

Same here, and its sad that its becoming a rare sight. I can only imagine what this area was like back in its prime. Thanks for watching, and the comment!

[@timothybogans3905]

Great video thank you for sharing, for modelers these types of videos are invaluable, i live in Memphis TN now but i grew up in San Diego CA, during the 1970's thru the 1980's i remember the ATSF ran down Commercial Ave, near downtown, and served a feed/ flour mill at 22nd street and there was a incline going west just before 22nd with the spur leading into the mill all street trackage by the way, well just past the mill the track abruptly went downhill literally most likely making this switch job something to write home about, watching your video brought back memories of that time the switching of that mill is gone i am frustrated that i didn't take photos.

[@davidhildebrandt4625]

Love the video and audio quality. Very relaxing to watch.

[@SD457500]

Glad you enjoyed it! Those older GE units have a distinct chug to them, and seeing street running operations in the Twin Cities is getting to be VERY rare.

[@ironcityrailfan8467]

Gotta love those old GE’s

[@SD457500]

Same here; they have a neat chug to them too! Thanks for watching, and the comment.

[@ironcityrailfan8467]

@@SD457500 no problem

[@martinross5521]

Thank you for these great catches especially the street running which has practically vanished in the UK. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours

[@SD457500]

Thanks, you too, and I hope you had a great Thanksgiving as well! This is one of the last spots in the Twin Cities, MN area, that you can see street running like this.

[@johndodd6575]

Fascinating. Thank you for sharing this footage.

[@SD457500]

Glad you enjoyed it! This is getting to be a rare sight, and they usually switch it at night. Thanks for the comment, and watchning.

[@25mfd]

nice... saw a few paved over rails there, not surprised to see that though... would have liked to see this place when it had all the rails in play... probably pretty busy back then

[@SD457500]

That would be cool, and I bet it was a lot busier too! Thankfully, the Minnesota Commercial does a great job at keeping their customers happy, and around.

[@salmotrutti9207]

Really nice video!! Thanks!

[@SD457500]

Thank you for the comment, and I'm happy you enjoyed it!

[@mustardpuddle]

What's their usual schedule around there? I haven't railfanned the MCRR before and would love to seeing as I live in the Twin Cities.

[@raymondwedley]

Like This One have not seen for 40 years

[@SD457500]

It really does have that look at feel to it, but it is used weekly. To think that this used to be a very busy line back in the day. Thanks for watching, and the comment.

[@bobsbasementhotrains3020]

Love this video, use to railfan the MC many years ago. Can you make more of the older industry switching on the MC and PR lines?

[@SD457500]

I'm glad you enjoyed it; thanks for the comment and watching! I sure can; I'll try and have a PGR video up in a week or so, and another MNNR one done around then as well. The MNNR one might have any ALCo RS27 if all goes well...

[@pauludulutch4353]

Awesome. More street switching please.

[@SD457500]

More to come! I will have a video up in a week or so of SW1500s drilling cars, and kicking them. Lots of drone views with it too. Thanks for watching!

[@DelcoImagery]

That’s really cool!

[@SD457500]

I'm glad that you enjoyed it; its certainly a unique move to see in 2020. Thanks for the comment, and watching!

[@tomjohnson9338]

Nice vids. Sometimes wonder if they are going to make it hearing MNNR chug by. One of them sounds like it is about to cough up a lung, anthropomorphically speaking. Like living by MSP when NWA had a B757 with an engine problem that hissed by every time it came in for landing, it makes one notice.

[@markrhuett]

Great video and thanks for sharing. I always wondered why railroads would dismantle spur trackage and pave over them. I would think they would keep them in place in case of future business that may come along.

[@matthewjones1119]

Is it just me, but I can never look at those engines and not still see GBW

[@SD457500]

Thanks for the comment! I feel you on that, but with their ALCo's; this is a former Frisco/BN unit, so I remember when it was still in BN green YEARS ago.

[@Steelers2841]

Great job Doug

[@SD457500]

Thank you, and I'm glad you enjoyed it! This isn't something you see every day.

[@steventurner820]

I do like seeing those older Dash 7s!

[@SD457500]

Same here! They have a nice chug and throaty engine sound to them. Thanks for watching, and the comment!

[@arifsukirno3687]

Wabash Ave, even though the track is very rough and old, but if they still manage to keep it alive, it still looks nice. Keep up the good job bro...😀😀😀 Time after time you still there making the old good video about railroad. Can you make the EMD or ALCO video again please...???😙😙😙 And once again, stay safe and keep the health protocol.😷😷😷 Mad love from my country, Indonesia....

[@SD457500]

Thank you for the kind comment, and words on the video! I'll see what I can do for the older EMD or ALCo's. I will have a video up soon of SW1500s working, and pounding yard leads.

[@arifsukirno3687]

@@SD457500 Don't worry, I'll be there waiting...😁😁😁

[@rjb5847]

Great video of a type of railroading that's disappearing. As an aside, the guy with the really dirty safety vest should take it home & wash it, or ask for a new one. They're useless when they don't make the wearer stand out from the background. Anytime one is flagging road traffic, the more visible the flagperson is, the better.

[@miIwaukeeroad]

Nice!

[@SD457500]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it, and thanks for watching!

[@jamesvenable1948]

Interesting video

[@SD457500]

Glad you enjoyed it! They usually only switch this at night, so seeing it during the day is a very rare occurance.

[@daveyboy_]

Looks like this area , ( like the tracks) has seen better times

[@SD457500]

Thanks for the comment! That's a very accurate statement...I can only image what it was like back in the day.

[@daveyboy_]

@@SD457500 musta been bustling

[@thecelticprince4949]

So what exactly does Westrock do in St Paul? Are they an American based company? I regularly deliver to their Santa Catarina Brazil based Paper Mill. They have disused Railway lines that pass behind the mill. Evidently haven't been used in decades.

[@ph35052]

This plant is a cardboard recycler. They receive boxcars on one side of the plant and kaolin clay on the other.

[@bryanb7255]

They produce cardboard and packaging materials. They are based in Atlanta, Georgia.

[@SD457500]

Thank you for the comment! The users who commented below are spot on which what WestRock does.

[@thecelticprince4949]

This paper mill in Três Barras Santa Catarina was originally known as Rigessa Cellulose and Paper, around 2017 it was brought out by Westrock. Since then has been a lot of expansion going on. Thank you people for your response. It's a shame that there are a lot of branches and sub lines here in Brazil shut down & in decay.

[@ph35052]

Nice footage! Do they usually run this fast? I’m in that area regularly and I wouldn’t even drive that fast, haha.

[@SD457500]

Thanks for the kind comment, and for watching! That they do; the track is good for 10mph, but all of the low joints, rough spots, and curves, make it look faster when you're up close.

[@adrianmontelongo9707]

That is rough train street.

[@SD457500]

Thanks for watching! That it is, but still in regular use!

[@casualobserver620]

That looks like it was a very productive area at one time. But let the democrats take control and you have run down empty buildings.

[@mathuetax]

These tracks didn't look much different during Al Quie, Arne Carlson or Tim Pawlenty :D

[@SD457500]

Thanks for the comment! This entire area used to be a great deal busier, but over the years more and more traffic has slowly gone away. :/ Just these two customers seen are the only ones using these rails still.