CN Train, Columbia Heights, Minnesota - May 3, 2024 [Video and Photos]

By Chad Kluck on

On May 3, 2024, we catch two CN (Canadian National Railway) units leading a short 36-car mixed freight through Columbia Heights, Minnesota, along the northern edge of Columbia Park. It held just out of view before the Columbia Parkway bridge until receiving a clear signal. Due to the train just getting underway, we got a nice, slow look at all the cars and some great audio of the engine power. Mix it in with some birds and a steam whistle in the distance, and it makes for a great railfan sensory experience. We finish the video with some still photographs of the engines approaching.

  • 0:00 We start with the CPKC (Canadian Pacific Kansas City) Minnesota dispatcher giving the go-ahead (for another train) over the radio.
  • 0:10 Soon after, you can hear the low rumble of diesel engines as they approach our position.
  • 0:35 As we wait for the CN train, the steam whistle of the CP 2816 Empress can be heard in the distance. We won't see the Empress here, but it was in the area for a stop at the St. Paul Union Depot for its 2024 Final Spike Tour.
  • 1:13 CN 8885 and 8887 slowly approach and increase power. They are both EMD SD70M-2 units built in January 2010.
  • 2:30 They slowly roll past as they gain speed and head around a curve. Hoppers, gondolas, box cars, tankers, and more.
  • 5:00 We catch the end of the train, a classic, but worn, Burlington Northern covered hopper.
  • 5:13 We go back to the start but now take the photographer's view with a sequence of still images mixed with audio.

Photos

Trackside photo. Track curves around a small hill out of sight. An aspect signal is red.
Red aspect signal.
Trackside photo. Track curves around a small hill out of sight. An aspect signal is red.
Close-up of an old, weathered wooden telegraph pole among branches. Many of the clear glass insulators are still in tact. There is one blue insulator.
Telegraph pole among the branches
Close-up of an old, weathered wooden telegraph pole among branches. Many of the clear glass insulators are still in tact. There is one blue insulator.
Trackside photo. The same curve as before but the aspect signal is now green.
Green means go.
Trackside photo. The same curve as before but the aspect signal is now green.
Trackside photo. CN train with head and ditch lights coming out past a line of trees. Train is still in the distance.
With the go-ahead, our train emerges from the trees and brush, crossing the bridge over Columbia Parkway.
Trackside photo. CN train with head and ditch lights coming out past a line of trees. Train is still in the distance.
Trackside photo. Two CN units can be seen approaching with a line of railroad cars behind
The train approaches.
Trackside photo. Two CN units can be seen approaching with a line of railroad cars behind
Trackside photo. Two CN units pull a string of train cars.
CN 8885 and 8887 slowly approach and increase power. They are both EMD SD70M-2 units built in January 2010.
Trackside photo. Two CN units pull a string of train cars.
Trackside photo. Close-up of a covered hopper wheelset.
Close-up of the wheels as they screech past.
Trackside photo. Close-up of a covered hopper wheelset.
Trackside photo. Four train cars can be seen moving away from the viewer. A covered hopper, two tankers, and a box car.
Train moves past around a curve.
Trackside photo. Four train cars can be seen moving away from the viewer. A covered hopper, two tankers, and a box car.
The end of the train as it moves away from the viewer. The end of a green Burlington Northern covered hopper is shown.
Before the train vanishes around the corner, we see a classic green and white Burlington Northern covered hopper with the End of Train Device (EOT) attached.
The end of the train as it moves away from the viewer. The end of a green Burlington Northern covered hopper is shown.

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