The Last Days of Canadian Pacific's Ford Hauler and St. Paul's Ford Ranger Assembly Plant

[@Sforeczka]

I moved into the Davern Shepard area about 4 months ago. I am absolutely fascinated by this train and the neighborhood. Walking my dog I encounter crossings at Daverm 7th/Alton, Madison, Rankin, and Homer nearly every day. I think there there is a story to be told here. Something I am considering.

[@CVisionProductions1]

For sure. It was very unique as it ran through several neighborhoods.

[@leakyjeep5.9]

There used to be a Spur that went into Pearson's candy that was removed in the 80s. An occasional tank car would be delivered there.

[@Truckerboy1234]

Being from 2011, this is some damned good footage. If you never had explained when it was recorded and just showed me the footage outright, I would have never guessed. Such a shame that plant closed, and they killed off the small ranger. Fortunately, Toyota is still operating their manufacturing plants in Cambridge and Woodstock where they make the Toyota RAV4, Lexus RX and NX, so in some ways this sight is still alive. It’s typically CN that’s responsible for transportation of those vehicles.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you so much! Yes, it truly is sad that they closed that plant. Saint Paul really took pride in having that plant in their city. Unfortunately, Ford just never did anything to keep that plant updated.

[@bradhardy2629]

People should've been buying the Fords instead.

[@EdmontonRails]

Seeing all those brand new Rangers lined up, the last stand of the compact pickup truck, one could only dream of that now. Thank you for sharing this, your channel is a treasure trove!

[@CVisionProductions1]

For sure! Me personally, I think there is too much technology in the cars today. Just give me something simple with only power windows and locks.

[@innercityprepper]

Lived in St Paul most of my life. Ranger was always a great truck. Loved my '04 4.0 V6 and wish I'd never gotten rid of it.

[@DodgeMan360]

2011, I remember everyone and their dog was buying Ranger's, they were discounting them like crazy. Still see the odd few around but they didn't seem to last on the East Coast.

[@thomasosborn5823]

My dad worked at this plant. He left a couple of years before he passed in 2005. I remember after school we would pick him up. We only had one car at the time.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thanks for sharing your memories.

[@lablaine1981]

45 yrs live 100' from davern st xing...in 1980s would hop in bed of pickup and ride the 10 mph tracks to Union Depot,about 1+ hour ride,take the bus home,Trax at 7 th st could drive traffic nuts...best memories of my 70+ ❤️of railfan...👍👍

[@CVisionProductions1]

How neat! Thank you for sharing!

[@leakyjeep5.9]

I lived in Davern apts in the 80s. Great times! I only rode the train to Pearsons.. Too scared to go downtown as a 10yo.

[@joelpoland40]

Some excellent documentation! As much as i love watching trains run through beautiful scenery, I also love seeing switching and operations just as much. I'm glad you guys were granted access and took advantage!

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you so much, Joel! Your comments always mean a great deal to us. It’s always nice to get those “behind the scenes views” for projects such as this. All history now, as you know. We appreciate that you’d take the time to watch and comment.

[@stephenspilker9334]

good video. i get to see some of the plant never seen before. dad used to take us kids through the plant back in the 60's and 70's, it was fun. i was sorry the plant was torn down years ago. i miss the tours they gave years ago.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thanks for sharing and thank you for watching!!

[@MrBnsftrain]

I'm amazed that this track is still in place! The crossings haven't been paved over yet the line has been disconnected from the rest of the system since 2014. I do hope this becomes a northstar route someday

[@CVisionProductions1]

It is amazing that the tracks are still there. My guess is that CP doesn’t want to spend the money to pull them up.

[@ForrestLambert.2022]

@@CVisionProductions1 Where on maps do i need to look to see where the plant used to be? Can't find it or the tracks.

[@Minnesota_Rails]

Milwaukee road moment 🔥

[@CVisionProductions1]

Yeah. I wish I was here to see the Milwaukee in charge of this job.

[@Minnesota_Rails]

@@CVisionProductions1 there are a few videos of the ford hauler from the MILW era

[@leakyjeep5.9]

@@CVisionProductions1 I watched it as a kid living on Davern and St Paul Ave. Incredible operation. Nothing like the CP had.

[@thebuzzsaw6489]

I owned a 4WD Ford Ranger Xtra cab for 13 years. It was a great vehicle and was built in St. Paul. Thanks for the video.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Very cool! You are very welcome! Thank you!!

[@johnbeaulieu2404]

Great video Chris. Sad to see the plant, jobs, and rail operations go.

[@CVisionProductions1]

It sure is. Especially a plant that size. Thanks John!

[@matthewrinehart9514]

Thoroughly enjoyed this one. I send well over one hundred scrap gons a month to mills foundries and manufacturing all over the midwest.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you Matthew!

[@timbober1]

Lived next to the tracks for years. Saw the Milwaukee Road MP15s latter patched to Soo Line, then the CP. in the late 90s saw many different locomotives, Soo Line GP 30s, I think GP 38s and even saw a Denver Rio Grand locomotive. When we were kids the trains always fascinated us (still do). Thank you for the look back, I’m sorry the plant closed. There were many good jobs lost.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Wow! Thanks for sharing your memories. I also remember seeing some of those MP15s.

[@2011Maynard]

What great access you were given for this video. Another gone-forever aspect of railfanning.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Many thanks! We really wanted to spend more time inside the plant. However, we were only allowed very limited access and time. One story I will never forget is while being inside the plant, you just saw the looks on the employees faces with their sadness that they were just about to lose their jobs.

[@abpsd73]

Seeing this and knowing it's now all gone makes me appreciate the two 2008 Rangers I own. You can tell they were really clearing out stock at the plant, prior to 2011 the y spoke 16" wheels were only on the FX4 models, and in the closing pictures there are several different trim levels of trucks in one lineup with those wheels.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Interesting observation. Makes you wonder if they were just trying to make trucks out of whatever they had left for parts.

[@metalheadrailfan]

A familiar type of setting for me working out of Norfolk Southern's Voltz Mixing Center in KC. Only major difference, the yard is all run-through so we can work rail crews on both ends.

[@25mfd]

man on the chicago and northwestern, back in the late 90s/early 2000s we lost one our very busy ford unloading ramps to a mixing center in KC... never knew the name of it till now... i'm betting it's the one you work at... losing auto business is *ALWAYS* a kick in the balls

[@FishBone911]

CP had a deal with the UP where we gave them a solid auto rack train for Kansas City and they gave us a shit train that got sent to Glenwood to be flat switched. What a deal.

[@CVisionProductions1]

I remember visiting the Voltz facility back in the 90’s. Quite impressive!

[@25mfd]

@@FishBone911 you can count on UP to be party to some fantastic deals... but i'm not surprised, they did that within the UP system as well... i worked for the UP (the old CNW) out of milwaukee butler yard... UP had a daily train out of proviso (CHSSBR)... proviso sent that train everyday up to milwaukee for us to unscramble... 150+ cars everyday... but on the plus side, our trainmaster was forced to put our south end flat switcher back on (Job16)... it took 2 flat switchers the entire 1st shift to get that thing ready

[@25mfd]

@@CVisionProductions1 do you have any vids of your visit

[@SPRailfan4449]

Seeing the paired former SOO Line units together is just so cool to see! 🥲❤️👍

[@CVisionProductions1]

Agreed. Really miss having them around.

[@Nicola636128]

Really interesting; I really liked it, especially the inside of the factory and how the various components are transported inside those gigantic boxcars that seem to never end.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you! I wish we could have spent more time in the factory, but glad we got the chance what they allowed us to stay. It is really neat to see how they fit all those components in the box cars.

[@Supersnow145]

loved seeing all the soo line power great video!

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you very much!

[@twototoo278]

Great video, I work in logistics unloading trailers and it’s super interesting seeing these guys unloading and loading those boxcars.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Totally agree. Interesting to see how they fit all that in those cars.

[@abritwholikestea]

Watched this one in a call with some friends. Great entertainment as always, thank you! :)

[@CVisionProductions1]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!!!

[@admydragon]

Amazing work Chris!

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you!!!

[@privite55]

The fact that not that long ago you could buy a a mid size pickup for less then 50000 is insane

[@CVisionProductions1]

Very true! Something I heard not too long ago is since 2019, prices for new pick ups have increased $10,000.

[@Lordbillystrains]

sad to see it go the first day you filmed there was my birthday going to miss the old geeps

[@CVisionProductions1]

Definitely miss the GP38-2’s! Happy Birthday when it comes!

[@Lordbillystrains]

@@CVisionProductions1 thanks

[@CVisionProductions1]

You’re welcome.

[@derrickwong5337]

Nice! R.I.P. Ford Hauler in St. Paul,MN!!!!

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you! The train is truly missed.

[@derrickwong5337]

@@CVisionProductions1 My pleasure!

[@johnpatterson4272]

The last Ford Ranger incarnation were better vehicles than what is offered now in 2024. Far less electronics, more mechanics and bigger engines. Made in the USA was worthwhile enough.

[@CVisionProductions1]

I couldn’t agree with you more!

[@Cnw8701]

No point in calling Ford an "American" car company at this point. Same goes for GM and Chrysler!

[@RailPreserver2K]

I got an 03 ranger and its tue beat truck I've had, heres to another 20 years or more.

[@stevenmcgregor2219]

Bought my first new truck in 2011 as they were clearing the lots brand new sport I beat the snot right out of that truck and she loved it love the rangers

[@johnpatterson4272]

@@stevenmcgregor2219 Keep on Rockin'.

[@kolejnakolej.1437]

Interesting video. Greetings from Poland. 👍

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you very much! Greetings from Minnesota!!!

[@railyardfilms6491]

Cool information

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thanks! 👍

[@drummachine434]

Imagine how busy everything would be if all US industries were still in the US

[@CVisionProductions1]

For sure. Hopefully we can get more of it back for our future generations.

[@shak0009]

I absolutely LOVE these videos and specially this "Ford Hauler" one. I live in the area and when seeing the "track exempt" sign I shed a tear. I even know some good folks that used to work in the plant since the 70's. One question since im in the Automotive field, the truck that your camera man was in as it was being loaded in the auto hauler did not have the same interior as a Ranger and has the dash of a 2011 Ford F250/F350 Super duty because it indicated a 6 speed transmission on the cluster as it was being parked but Ranger has a 5 speed automatic and does not display the gear indicators as it did in this video. Thank you C vision for another great video. 2 thumbs up.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Thank you so much!!!

[@Ovalaardvark433]

I've seen an abandoned rail line there in the twin cities and was wondering where it went and what it was

[@CVisionProductions1]

If you saw it on the southwest side of Saint Paul, that’s the one, however it is not officially abandoned. Unfortunately, there are quite a few abandoned rail lines in the Twin Cities.

[@Ovalaardvark433]

yea it was the one.

[@DerrickTony68]

Conrail had a Ford Plant in Northern New Jersey at Metchuen where the Rangers were built till 1997 and GM LINDEN Plant where Chevy S10 and GMC S15 Sierra were built the GM pickup were later transferred to the plant in Southwest Ohio in Dayton the S10 AND S15 Sierra were Change to CHEVY Colorado and GMC Canyon

[@CVisionProductions1]

Nice! Let’s hope they stay there!

[@kelvintorrence5994]

in usedn to haulo parts out of it it wasn on route 1 and 9 i also watched them take it down

[@DerrickTony68]

@@CVisionProductions1 Today Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon Which came back in 2015 is Built at its GM Plant West of St Louis in Wentzville & Ford Ranger is Built at its Louisville Plant in Kentucky as the Ford Escape and Ford Bronco and Bronco Sport

[@insertchannelnamehere632]

Wow that BNSF consist at 1:19 is crazy

[@CVisionProductions1]

They were pretty wild back then.

[@FishBone911]

Remember when they decided we should be blowing for all those crossings and Gene Hetherington lost his mind? Pepperidge Farms remembers...

[@CVisionProductions1]

Ha! Was that back in 2006? Good times on the railroad… Thanks for sharing that story, Michael.

[@mplsmark222]

The plant and trains are long gone, but most of the tracks are still there. I wonder why CP doesn’t remove them. There is a lot of land cutting through Highland Park just getting overgrown. That area by the Cleveland Ave bridge is like a wetland, the railroad even had a little dock for when things were especially wet.

[@CVisionProductions1]

I’m not sure why they haven’t removed the rails yet. Probably because of cost. They still own the right of away, so probably no need to spend any money on that until the property is either sold or donated. It is surely sad to see it the way it is today.

[@mplsmark222]

@@CVisionProductions1 over the years Ford threatened to close the assembly plant, so over and over again the state found ways to give handouts like tax concessions.. Much like professional sports leagues, this was a way of extorting tax payer funds. I’ll bet none of the land the RR takes up gets taxed, or is taxed at a very low rate.

[@kelvintorrence5994]

that yellpe snow blower with the jet engine I saw 2 of them in action, I asked my friend who worked on Conrail about them and he said they where no snow blowers like that I'm thinking you really don't know what kind of equipment the railroad uses

[@CVisionProductions1]

It is so interesting the things the railroads use for so many tasks. Good eye catching that.

[@JamisonNicholls]

Wonder if my old Ranger was in this video. I used to drive a 2010

[@CVisionProductions1]

You never know!

[@themidlandmaniac9803]

Soo line :D

[@CVisionProductions1]

Sure miss those SOO painted locomotives

[@SRN42069]

I wish more company's would use trains like this rather then trucks, as trains are just so much more efficient at moving things around, just look at how many cars could fit in there VS one truck carrying 1 or 5 cars. Also wish more items were made in North America rather then in China.

[@CVisionProductions1]

Agreed on both!!!

[@kevinfranck6520]

What a waste of natural resources.

[@davehughesfarm7983]

say what henry>?