CPKC River Subdivision | Winona Area Trains - Summer 2023

The Summer of 2023 proved unusual. No rain for six weeks, Canadian wildfire smoke (decent band name), and some really hot days made for a varying degree of results seen in this collection of train video clips.
As always, it was a lot of fun to shoot the CPKC. A lot of KCS Belles, CP beavers, heritage units, and assorted engines from other railroads made for a diverse assortment of railroad activity.

[@truckenthusiast-9660]

Great shots! The variety is excellent

[@roadrailmediagroup]

Thank you!

[@cbgf3298]

Love the old SD60s and SD40-2s!

[@roadrailmediagroup]

Same here!

[@MichaelRobinson100]

I love this channel so close to where I live I know the scenery

[@roadrailmediagroup]

Thank you for watching!!

[@mistersurogat]

very nice

[@roadrailmediagroup]

Thanks for watching!

[@Bob.W.]

One of the oddities in the area is the UP trackage in Winona even though they don't have any lines anywhere close. I'm thinking this is orphan track from an old CNW line that crossed the River there. It services the barge facilities of CHS and ADM so it might be profitable to keep.

[@Bob.W.]

I looked it up in a Milwaukee Road history book. The Winona and St. Peter, eventually C&NW, built the bridge at Winona in 1872. The St. Paul and Chicago, eventually Milwaukee Road, used it until 1876. Trackage rights abandoned by the Milwaukee Road in 1978. Not sure when the bridge was abandoned by the C&NW. I think the route went to Durand WI. The UP tracks appear to be the only remnant.

[@roadrailmediagroup]

I once read an article about this. The CNW line from La Crosse to East Winona is now a bike trail. The line used to cross the MKE at Tower CK. The bridge was decommissioned in the 70s when trackage rights through LAX were gained. The Waseca Sub used to be the CNW and continued from Tower CK all the way to South Dakota. They sold it to the DME. There used to be a rule that interchanges in Winona between Soo and DME had to pass through CNW or pay a fee. Interestingly, there’s still a recognizable CNW herald on the bridge in Minnesota City. I’ll see if I can find a pic and post it on the community section.