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Tony Held's Collection
 
5/7/2024
 
 
 
 
 
By:Tony Held
Dates:8/1/2007 - 4/17/2014
Album Info:Vistas from abandoned lines, and some not-so abandoned which have traces of previous owners still extant here and there.
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Clearance "12-0"
Title:  Clearance "12-0"
Description:  This small bridge is just north of the main one across the Minnesota. Not sure if it will survive.
Photo Date:  5/5/2011  Upload Date: 5/7/2011 3:14:35 PM
Location:  Carver, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  80   Comments: 1
Standing Against The Flood One Last Time
Title:  Standing Against The Flood One Last Time
Description:  This bridge dates back to the days of steam on the Tootin' Louie. Now it sits abandoned with driftwood piled up against it awaiting demolition once the rails are up. Sad.
Photo Date:  5/5/2011  Upload Date: 5/7/2011 3:14:21 PM
Location:  Carver, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  132   Comments: 1
A Depot Aint' A Depot ...
Title:  A Depot Aint' A Depot ...
Description:  If a train ain't a train without a caboose, then a depot ain't a depot without a set of tracks by it. Sadly, this soon will no longer be the case when the former Louie on the right is torn up, follwoing the way of the Milwaukee Road's Hastings and Dakota route through town which crossed here. Hence the angled side of the depot and the old signal behind the tree.
Photo Date:  5/5/2011  Upload Date: 5/7/2011 8:18:01 PM
Location:  Chaska, MN
Author:  Richard Held
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Views:  243   Comments: 0
Trestle Close Up
Title:  Trestle Close Up
Description:  A close-up view of the trestle near the intersection of Fourth and Elm.
Photo Date:  5/5/2011  Upload Date: 5/7/2011 9:36:51 PM
Location:  Chaska, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  75   Comments: 0
Scenic Curve
Title:  Scenic Curve
Description:  This scenic curve is just to the east-northeast of Depot Park in Carver. Get your pics of it with rails while you can!
Photo Date:  5/5/2011  Upload Date: 5/7/2011 3:02:31 PM
Location:  Carver, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  133   Comments: 0
Soon To Be Just Another Trail Crossing?
Title:  Soon To Be Just Another Trail Crossing?
Description:  A pedestrian path leading up to Cy's Bar and Grill in downtown Chaska soon might be just another trail crossing if the rail bed becomes a trail (which hopefully will be the case.) At any rate, the only railroad signs soon to be here will just be the ones at Cy's visible in the background.
Photo Date:  5/5/2011  Upload Date: 5/7/2011 3:21:16 PM
Location:  Chaska, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  139   Comments: 1
Sad
Title:  Sad
Description:  Found this lying along the old UP Chaska Industrial in the downtown area near the Chaska Mill and Cy's bar and grill. From active rail line to trash heap in the space of a few years. Note how one of the tie plates at the top of the picture still has a spike in it while all the others around it are loose or lying on the ties and ballast.
Photo Date:  5/5/2011  Upload Date: 5/5/2011 10:59:15 PM
Location:  Chaska, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  227   Comments: 1
The Impending Doom
Title:  The Impending Doom
Description:  We are at the first switch for United Sugars, where the frog has been removed and left on the ties for the moment. Soon all the iron will be up and scattered to the four winds.
Photo Date:  5/5/2011  Upload Date: 5/7/2011 8:45:32 PM
Location:  Chaska, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  146   Comments: 0
Sign Says It All
Title:  Sign Says It All
Description:  This sign at the grade crossing on Stoughton Avenue by United Sugars says it all about the fate of the Chaska Industrial Lead.
Photo Date:  5/5/2011  Upload Date: 5/7/2011 12:31:33 PM
Location:  Chaska, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  95   Comments: 0
Hickory Street Crossing
Title:  Hickory Street Crossing
Description:  This scene is another fit for a model railroad. Oh for the days when the line was not only active, but intact all the way to Hopkins and beyond.
Photo Date:  5/5/2011  Upload Date: 5/7/2011 9:37:44 PM
Location:  Chaska, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  149   Comments: 0
Still Locked
Title:  Still Locked
Description:  This switch on the abandoned Chaska Industrial lead is still locked. Wonder what will happen when the rails get lifted?
Photo Date:  5/5/2011  Upload Date: 5/7/2011 12:14:08 PM
Location:  Chaska, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  114   Comments: 1
Forlorn Rails
Title:  Forlorn Rails
Description:  Looking southwest down the Louie from near the end of the line the rails in their rusty, overgrown state but faintly echoes the past glories of the line.
Photo Date:  5/5/2011  Upload Date: 5/7/2011 9:18:56 PM
Location:  Chaska, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  103   Comments: 0
No More Trains
Title:  No More Trains
Description:  No longer will trains chant into down on the jointed rail straggling off towards Carver at the Hickory Street crossing.
Photo Date:  5/5/2011  Upload Date: 5/7/2011 9:42:57 PM
Location:  Chaska, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  71   Comments: 0
Lookin' Up The Line
Title:  Lookin' Up The Line
Description:  Looking up the old Louie main line from near Cy's bar and grill. Note the former Chaska depot in the background and a discarded hoodie in the foreground, of which a seperate picture can be found in this album.
Photo Date:  5/5/2011  Upload Date: 5/7/2011 8:17:35 PM
Location:  Chaska, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  139   Comments: 0
Vista Fit For A Model Railroad
Title:  Vista Fit For A Model Railroad
Description:  Pedestrian crossing in foreground leads to Cy's Bar and Grill. Again, what I wouldn't give to have photographed a UP United Sugars job here. It's a scene fit for a model railroad.
Photo Date:  5/5/2011  Upload Date: 5/7/2011 9:23:01 PM
Location:  Chaska, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  117   Comments: 0
Towards The End Of The Line
Title:  Towards The End Of The Line
Description:  In 1991 the CNW tore up the ex-M & S t.L main from Hopkins to Chaska leaving a stub in place from Merriam Junction as the "Chaska Industrial Lead." The old main ends in the trees in the far distance, awaiting to jon the rest of the route in abandonment.
Photo Date:  5/5/2011  Upload Date: 5/7/2011 9:03:38 PM
Location:  Chaska, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  138   Comments: 0
Looking Towards Downtown
Title:  Looking Towards Downtown
Description:  Traffic on Hickory has kept the rails in the pavement buffed and shiny while the rails beyond lie weedy and caked in rust.
Photo Date:  5/5/2011  Upload Date: 5/7/2011 9:43:16 PM
Location:  Chaska, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  114   Comments: 0
Not A Pretty Sight
Title:  Not A Pretty Sight
Description:  I came across this pair of rails lying discarded near Cy's. Not a pretty sight for a once vibrant line.
Photo Date:  5/5/2011  Upload Date: 5/7/2011 8:47:51 PM
Location:  Chaska, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  74   Comments: 0
A Common Sight
Title:  A Common Sight
Description:  At the moment, you can find sights like this aplenty on the abandoned UP Chaska Industrial Lead: spikes out of their tie plates surrounding the steel rails they once held in place. These particular ones were lying in the vicinity of the first switch for United Sugars.
Photo Date:  5/5/2011  Upload Date: 5/7/2011 8:54:29 PM
Location:  Chaska, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  89   Comments: 0
"36"
Title:  "36"
Description:  Found this milepost lying between the rails by Depot Park. Sad sight.
Photo Date:  5/5/2011  Upload Date: 5/7/2011 12:13:53 PM
Location:  Carver, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  109   Comments: 1
The North End
Title:  The North End
Description:  The northern end of the ex-M & St. L. bridge at Carver.
Photo Date:  5/5/2011  Upload Date: 5/7/2011 3:13:45 PM
Location:  Carver, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  102   Comments: 0
Curving Towards The River
Title:  Curving Towards The River
Description:  Here is the ex-Louie main curving past Casey's General Store in downtown Carver. Note the earthen wall to the left, a flood-season necessity.
Photo Date:  5/5/2011  Upload Date: 5/7/2011 3:14:07 PM
Location:  Carver, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  90   Comments: 0
Don't Need This Anymore
Title:  Don't Need This Anymore
Description:  This sign remains affixed to one of the crossbucks at the Hickory Avenue North grade crossing. Wonder where they will go after the 'bucks come down?
Photo Date:  5/5/2011  Upload Date: 5/7/2011 9:37:21 PM
Location:  Chaska, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  163   Comments: 1
Empty Tracks
Title:  Empty Tracks
Description:  No revenue cars are to be found anymore at United Sugars in Chaska, the sole reason rails remained in service from downtown Chaska to Merriam Junction. What a shame a short line wasn't formed to serve this place instead of more trucks.
Photo Date:  5/5/2011  Upload Date: 5/7/2011 12:15:09 PM
Location:  Chaska, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  153   Comments: 0
Nice Vista Soon To Change
Title:  Nice Vista Soon To Change
Description:  What a pretty sight the old Minneapolis and St. Louis mainline makes passing the Chaska Mill and Cy's Bar and Grill. Wish I had caught a UP train here before they pulled the plug.
Photo Date:  5/5/2011  Upload Date: 5/7/2011 3:25:32 PM
Location:  Chaska, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  142   Comments: 0
Tiny Trestle
Title:  Tiny Trestle
Description:  This span is located above the intersection of Fourth and Elm in Chaska. Hope it survives after the lifting of the tracks.
Photo Date:  5/5/2011  Upload Date: 5/7/2011 9:28:32 PM
Location:  Chaska, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  87   Comments: 1
Pavement Where The Steel Once Was
Title:  Pavement Where The Steel Once Was
Description:  This shot looks west-southwest towards the Hopkins water tower faintly visible above the trees in the center. The mowed lawn to the right of the Minneapolis and St. Louis' main is owned by the Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority and may have once held additional iron.
Photo Date:  6/12/2011  Upload Date: 6/13/2011 12:07:48 PM
Location:  Hopkins, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  89   Comments: 0
Beneath 169
Title:  Beneath 169
Description:  Here is the former Louie main line passing under Highway 169. The former M&STL depot -now a coffee shop- is just visible to the left behind the trees. Grassy area to the left is where the branch to Morton and points west once junctioned.
Photo Date:  6/12/2011  Upload Date: 6/13/2011 12:08:08 PM
Location:  Hopkins, MN
Author:  Richard Held
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Views:  76   Comments: 0
Name Says It All
Title:  Name Says It All
Description:  You can find these signs off the LRT trail across from the CP/TC&W Hopkins depot at the edge of a mowed section next to the trail. They denote the HCRRA's property boundary here.
Photo Date:  6/12/2011  Upload Date: 6/14/2011 7:57:27 AM
Location:  Hopkins, MN
Author:  Richard Held
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Views:  105   Comments: 0
Rail Reminders
Title:  Rail Reminders
Description:  On the very edge of the HCRRA property near the 169 overpass can be found this signal base and accompanying relic. All it says on the latter is "Griswold Signal Co. Minneapolis, MN." Apparently the CNW decided to abandon these in place rather than tear them out. This signal once guarded the junction with the Minneapolis and St. Louis' main line and its line to Morton, MN, and points west.
Photo Date:  6/12/2011  Upload Date: 6/14/2011 7:57:06 AM
Location:  Hopkins, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  109   Comments: 0
Where The Rails End
Title:  Where The Rails End
Description:  Here is where the surviving ex-Dakota Rail tracks end amidst overgrowth where the Dakota Rail trail takes over the ROW below the bridge connecting County 15 to Highway 12.
Photo Date:  6/22/2011  Upload Date: 6/22/2011 6:45:00 PM
Location:  Wayzata, MN
Author:  Richard Held
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Views:  105   Comments: 0
Growing Rails?!
Title:  Growing Rails?!
Description:  Right out from the grass of the tony new apartments across from the Pillsbury A mill jut these rails across SE 6th Avenue into the weeds surrounding the old facility.
Photo Date:  9/3/2011  Upload Date: 9/4/2011 10:46:54 PM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Richard Held
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Views:  116   Comments: 0
No Trains Will Cross Here Again
Title:  No Trains Will Cross Here Again
Description:  A crossbuck remains in place along with street markings guarding a long severed grade crossing on SE 6th Avenue 2 blocks east of the Stone Arch bridge.
Photo Date:  9/3/2011  Upload Date: 9/4/2011 10:47:13 PM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Richard Held
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Views:  98   Comments: 0
Severed And Rusted
Title:  Severed And Rusted
Description:  Buried amidst the weeds, this rusted track still leads into the Pillsbury A mill on the east bank of Old Man River two blocks east of the Stone Arch bridge.
Photo Date:  9/3/2011  Upload Date: 9/4/2011 5:16:04 PM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  91   Comments: 0
Still At Train Height
Title:  Still At Train Height
Description:  When the 3rd Avenue bridge was built, it had to accomodate passing over two seperate railway lines on two different elevations; the tracks that served the GN depot (which stood beginning in the upper right background) and the rails which connected to the mills and the Railway Transfer yard. The ghosts of trains on both still pass beneath in my imagination.
Photo Date:  9/9/2011  Upload Date: 9/9/2011 11:31:52 PM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  101   Comments: 0
Car Entrance Close Up
Title:  Car Entrance Close Up
Description:  A close up of where cars could be parked and picked up from the downtown post office. Was this spur single or double-tracked?
Photo Date:  9/9/2011  Upload Date: 9/10/2011 10:20:25 AM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  67   Comments: 0
The Iron Horse Was Here
Title:  The Iron Horse Was Here
Description:  After passing the first tie while walking up the grade, you soon will come to these four or more ties, also left behind by the track removal crews and now virtually buried under the roadbed by the elements.
Photo Date:  9/9/2011  Upload Date: 9/10/2011 10:12:26 AM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Richard Held
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Views:  91   Comments: 0
Vanished Wye
Title:  Vanished Wye
Description:  Behind the GN depot on Hennepin Avenue there was a wye which connected it to the main line, the east leg of which connected to the bridge which today carries the BNSF Wayzata sub over the river. Today, this stub is all that remains. A monument to when trains ruled the west bank of Old Man River downtown.
Photo Date:  9/9/2011  Upload Date: 9/10/2011 10:29:39 AM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Richard Held
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Views:  108   Comments: 0
Barely Visible
Title:  Barely Visible
Description:  Mostly buried under dirt and remaining track ballast is this final tie you will come to while walking up towards the 3rd Avenue bridge on the fragment of grade left over from the tracks that linked the downtown flour mills and the Railway Transfer yard.
Photo Date:  9/9/2011  Upload Date: 9/10/2011 10:12:41 AM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Richard Held
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Views:  79   Comments: 0
Solid Wall And A Signal Mast Base?
Title:  Solid Wall And A Signal Mast Base?
Description:  The surviving fragment of grade beneath the 3rd Avenue bridge downtown has a portion of its retaining wall still intact. It is the most growth-free at this spot, and I cannot help but wonder if that concrete block next to it in the foreground is an old signal mast base?
Photo Date:  9/9/2011  Upload Date: 9/9/2011 11:35:39 PM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  82   Comments: 0
Bitten Off
Title:  Bitten Off
Description:  The grade of the line to the west bank flour mills and Railway Transfer yard abruptly ends by the extension of the downtown Post Office, making it look bitten off. Sad.
Photo Date:  9/9/2011  Upload Date: 9/9/2011 11:36:01 PM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  71   Comments: 0
End Of The Wall
Title:  End Of The Wall
Description:  Here is where the retaining wall on the grade fragment by the downtown Post Office collapses into rubble. Look upon my works ye mighty and despair.
Photo Date:  9/9/2011  Upload Date: 9/9/2011 11:43:27 PM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  73   Comments: 0
No More Track To Switch
Title:  No More Track To Switch
Description:  The downtown Post Office got rail service in this part of the building that's now bricked off. Amazing that a railway even once ran here. 3rd Avenue bridge is in distance.
Photo Date:  9/9/2011  Upload Date: 9/9/2011 11:46:31 PM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Richard Held
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Views:  82   Comments: 0
No More Rail Service
Title:  No More Rail Service
Description:  Once upon a time cars were nursed into and out of the big bricked up gap on the old track level end of the downtown post office. Now they are blocked up so no riff raff tries to hang out where the iron horse once plied its trade.
Photo Date:  9/9/2011  Upload Date: 9/10/2011 10:20:40 AM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  66   Comments: 0
The Salvagers Did Not Want This
Title:  The Salvagers Did Not Want This
Description:  If you walk up the fragment of railway grade from where it ends by the Post Office (the only access, incidentally) you will come to this tie, the first of several left behind by the track removal crews in the 1980s and now half-buried in the old roadbed.
Photo Date:  9/9/2011  Upload Date: 9/10/2011 10:08:22 AM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  83   Comments: 0
The First Avenue End
Title:  The First Avenue End
Description:  The grade fragment that starts by the downtown post office ends beneath the First Avenue bridge in the distance. Picture taken from beneath 3rd Avenue bridge. Chain link fence below First Avenue span means the only way up and onto this rail reminder is from down by the post office.
Photo Date:  9/9/2011  Upload Date: 9/10/2011 10:20:57 AM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  77   Comments: 0
The Path Up
Title:  The Path Up
Description:  Egress onto the grade fragment by the downtown Post Office is easy thanks to this gentle path. One that also reveals the anatomy of a railway grade.
Photo Date:  9/9/2011  Upload Date: 9/9/2011 11:37:25 PM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  52   Comments: 0
The End Viewed From Up Top
Title:  The End Viewed From Up Top
Description:  The post office end of the grade as viewed from on top of it. Noe how all the weeds and stuff have been recently mowed.
Photo Date:  9/9/2011  Upload Date: 9/10/2011 10:21:28 AM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Richard Held
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Views:  62   Comments: 0
Old Wye Stub Side View
Title:  Old Wye Stub Side View
Description:  A side view of the stub on the BNSF Wayzata sub bridge which used to form the east leg of the wye behind the Great Northern depot.
Photo Date:  9/9/2011  Upload Date: 9/10/2011 10:29:54 AM
Location:  Minneapolis, MN
Author:  Richard Held
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Views:  61   Comments: 0
All You Can Find Now Of The CGW Here
Title:  All You Can Find Now Of The CGW Here
Description:  We are at the former grade crossing for the Chicago Great Western main line on Lamb Avenue on the southeast side of Nerstrand (in the background). All you can find today is a bump in the road and a patch of weeds on the northwest side. All the rest of the grade has fallen to the farmer's plow.
Photo Date:  9/10/2011  Upload Date: 9/11/2011 1:58:13 PM
Location:  Nerstrand, MN
Author:  Richard Held
Categories: 
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Views:  403   Comments: 0


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