Dan Patch Intercity Regional Passenger Rail

[DanPatchToget]

The rail connection blocked by Hennepin County was between CP and BNSF tracks. The wye track mattaudio is referring to is MN&S Junction: https://www.google.com/maps/@45.0453865 ... ?entry=ttu

If a train from the west were to go south it would have to go all the way to Humboldt Yard, bring the locomotives to the other end of the train, and then backtrack to head south on the Dan Patch Line. Completing the wye would make that movement seamless. Here's what that could look like, and shaded in red is the one property that CPKC would need to acquire: https://photos.app.goo.gl/5X791S3cU4Ay5x6E9

Building the new wye and overhauling the Dan Patch Line would cost CPKC hundreds of millions, and there would be massive political and public backlash to running 100-200 car trains filled with who-knows-what through the suburbs, so I don't see that happening. I used to think CP/CPKC would eventually rehab the Dan Patch Line to run trains on the entire route, but then I learned that underneath the tracks is fiber optic cable, and CPKC earns revenue from it. That would explain why they've kept the right-of-way through Savage, Burnsville, and Lakeville for so long without running a single train.

[gopherfan]

Could this be a solution for the corridor?
https://fb.watch/rPOb9Wa6Pu/

[commissioner]

The rail connection blocked by Hennepin County was between CP and BNSF tracks. The wye track mattaudio is referring to is MN&S Junction: https://www.google.com/maps/@45.0453865 ... ?entry=ttu

If a train from the west were to go south it would have to go all the way to Humboldt Yard, bring the locomotives to the other end of the train, and then backtrack to head south on the Dan Patch Line. Completing the wye would make that movement seamless. Here's what that could look like, and shaded in red is the one property that CPKC would need to acquire: https://photos.app.goo.gl/5X791S3cU4Ay5x6E9

Building the new wye and overhauling the Dan Patch Line would cost CPKC hundreds of millions, and there would be massive political and public backlash to running 100-200 car trains filled with who-knows-what through the suburbs, so I don't see that happening. I used to think CP/CPKC would eventually rehab the Dan Patch Line to run trains on the entire route, but then I learned that underneath the tracks is fiber optic cable, and CPKC earns revenue from it. That would explain why they've kept the right-of-way through Savage, Burnsville, and Lakeville for so long without running a single train.

I read a study on the merger and there isn't enough traffic ti justify a through train, not to mention CPKC doesn't own any lines going south of Mason City and I doubt that UP would give them access to the Spine line via trackage rights. Plus it bypasses St. Paul yard which CPKC uses as their main US railyard, diesel shop and crew change point, so I can't really see CPKC rerouting trains away from there.

[DanPatchToget]

The rail connection blocked by Hennepin County was between CP and BNSF tracks. The wye track mattaudio is referring to is MN&S Junction: https://www.google.com/maps/@45.0453865 ... ?entry=ttu

If a train from the west were to go south it would have to go all the way to Humboldt Yard, bring the locomotives to the other end of the train, and then backtrack to head south on the Dan Patch Line. Completing the wye would make that movement seamless. Here's what that could look like, and shaded in red is the one property that CPKC would need to acquire: https://photos.app.goo.gl/5X791S3cU4Ay5x6E9

Building the new wye and overhauling the Dan Patch Line would cost CPKC hundreds of millions, and there would be massive political and public backlash to running 100-200 car trains filled with who-knows-what through the suburbs, so I don't see that happening. I used to think CP/CPKC would eventually rehab the Dan Patch Line to run trains on the entire route, but then I learned that underneath the tracks is fiber optic cable, and CPKC earns revenue from it. That would explain why they've kept the right-of-way through Savage, Burnsville, and Lakeville for so long without running a single train.

I read a study on the merger and there isn't enough traffic ti justify a through train, not to mention CPKC doesn't own any lines going south of Mason City and I doubt that UP would give them access to the Spine line via trackage rights. Plus it bypasses St. Paul yard which CPKC uses as their main US railyard, diesel shop and crew change point, so I can't really see CPKC rerouting trains away from there.

Speaking of rail yards, CPKC considers the siding track just north of Old Shakopee Road in Bloomington a rail yard, and even has a sign at the entrance to the "yard". There's also a couple small buildings that seem to be occupied by railroad personnel 24/7 (or at least every time I go by there there's a CPKC vehicle). https://www.google.com/maps/@44.8080003 ... &entry=ttu

Probably doesn't have to do with eventually running through-trains and I'm guessing has to do with security. I used to see people walking or biking on the dead-end gravel road paralleling the "yard", but with the big sign that has a No Trespassing message and at least one railroad vehicle parked there I haven't seen any non-personnel since then.

[DanPatchToget]

Groundbreaking ceremony for a new transit hub next to the Northfield Depot is being held on June 5th: https://www.northfieldmn.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2243