Link: St Paul Union Station Railfan Viewing Area
Picture
. Viewing area at Union Station
There are two Rail Cams at Union Station. Cam #1 Mississippi River; Cam #2 Division St. Wye
Picture
. Viewing area at Union Station
There are two Rail Cams at Union Station. Cam #1 Mississippi River; Cam #2 Division St. Wye
| The Gregarious Railfan |
St. Paul, MN 55101 (population, 285,459)
GPS: N 44.95122, W 93.07725 Google map
Scanner: BNSF 160.335 [15], 161.250 [76], CP 160.770 [44], TCW 161.460 [90] (Twin Cities & Western)
Railroads: BNSF Twin Cities Division, St Paul Sub; Union Pacific Twin Cities Division, Roseport Sub; Canadian Pacific
St Paul Service Division, Merriam Park Sub; Twin Cities & Western
Description: Railfans have a safe place to watch trains at the restored St. Paul (Minn.) Union Depot. The depot’s
owner, the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority, constructed a park at the east end of the property in fall
2013. The park is adjacent to the wye track at the east end of the depot, along BNSF Railway’s busy double-track
St. Paul Sub-division also used by Amtrak, Canadian Pacific, Twin Cities & Western, and Union Pacific. It also fronts UP’
s State Street Industrial Lead. The park is designed with railfans in mind. It is slightly elevated to make viewing trains
a little easier. While there is a fee for parking immediately adjacent to the park, a multi-use trail connects to the
depot, so fans can walk or bike in. Street parking is also available. The park includes six tables with pergolas, bicycle
parking, new lighting, and call boxes to reach security. It is also on the flight path for St. Paul Downtown Airport,
just across the Mississippi River from the park, so visitors can view airplanes as well.
Approximate # trains per 24 hours: 60
Nearby RR stuff: St. Paul Union Depot; and James Hill House, palatial former estate of James J. Hill, builder of
the Great Northern Railway, at 240 Summit Ave. N 44.94505, W 93.10900; The Minnesota Transportation
Museum is Located at 193 Pennsylvania Ave E in St. Paul, N 44.96220, W 93.09476; There is a unique TINY
railfan platform on the overpass over Westminster Junction, N 44.96260, W 93.08625
Other interesting or fun stuff: Downtown St. Paul; The Science Museum of Minnesota, 120 W Kellogg Blvd.
N 44.94252, W 93.09875
Local breakfast: The Buttered Tin, 237 7th St. N 44.95107, W 93.08869
Local Pub and grub: Kelly’s Depot Bar & Grill, 241 Kellogg Blvd across from Union Depot.
Lodging: Best Western Plus Kelly Inn $$$, 161 St. Anthony Ave. N 44.95157, W 93.10758
Perhaps as reasonably priced for downtown as any. Better values are to be found in the suburbs.
Visitor Info: Visitor Information Center, Landmark Center, 75 West Fifth Street
GPS: N 44.95122, W 93.07725 Google map
Scanner: BNSF 160.335 [15], 161.250 [76], CP 160.770 [44], TCW 161.460 [90] (Twin Cities & Western)
Railroads: BNSF Twin Cities Division, St Paul Sub; Union Pacific Twin Cities Division, Roseport Sub; Canadian Pacific
St Paul Service Division, Merriam Park Sub; Twin Cities & Western
Description: Railfans have a safe place to watch trains at the restored St. Paul (Minn.) Union Depot. The depot’s
owner, the Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority, constructed a park at the east end of the property in fall
2013. The park is adjacent to the wye track at the east end of the depot, along BNSF Railway’s busy double-track
St. Paul Sub-division also used by Amtrak, Canadian Pacific, Twin Cities & Western, and Union Pacific. It also fronts UP’
s State Street Industrial Lead. The park is designed with railfans in mind. It is slightly elevated to make viewing trains
a little easier. While there is a fee for parking immediately adjacent to the park, a multi-use trail connects to the
depot, so fans can walk or bike in. Street parking is also available. The park includes six tables with pergolas, bicycle
parking, new lighting, and call boxes to reach security. It is also on the flight path for St. Paul Downtown Airport,
just across the Mississippi River from the park, so visitors can view airplanes as well.
Approximate # trains per 24 hours: 60
Nearby RR stuff: St. Paul Union Depot; and James Hill House, palatial former estate of James J. Hill, builder of
the Great Northern Railway, at 240 Summit Ave. N 44.94505, W 93.10900; The Minnesota Transportation
Museum is Located at 193 Pennsylvania Ave E in St. Paul, N 44.96220, W 93.09476; There is a unique TINY
railfan platform on the overpass over Westminster Junction, N 44.96260, W 93.08625
Other interesting or fun stuff: Downtown St. Paul; The Science Museum of Minnesota, 120 W Kellogg Blvd.
N 44.94252, W 93.09875
Local breakfast: The Buttered Tin, 237 7th St. N 44.95107, W 93.08869
Local Pub and grub: Kelly’s Depot Bar & Grill, 241 Kellogg Blvd across from Union Depot.
Lodging: Best Western Plus Kelly Inn $$$, 161 St. Anthony Ave. N 44.95157, W 93.10758
Perhaps as reasonably priced for downtown as any. Better values are to be found in the suburbs.
Visitor Info: Visitor Information Center, Landmark Center, 75 West Fifth Street
