While spending the weekend far away from the stresses of work, the wife and I were searching out some the State Parks we had not yet visited on our quest to get them all. Looking for Split Rock Creek State Park in Ihlen MN I was pleased to find the tracks right a cross the highway. Also to my pleasure I found this train crossing Rock Creek.


After spending an hour or so exploring the park we headed to our next destination. Along the way I spotted this trio sitting in Ruthton MN.


We then arrived at Camden State Park and Aaron's information in the Railfan Guide section is right on the button. I didn't have a chance to see a train but the reservations to camp there this October are already made.

I spotted two other South bound trains as we were traveling along Highway 23 with no chance to photograph but I scouted several other scenic locations along this sub and hope to take full advantage of them this fall.

We also stopped at the "End of the line" railroad museum in Currie MN. I was a littel disapointed but if your already in the area in worth a look. I have some PICS of this that I will post later.

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For the record: http://twincitiesrailfan.com/guide/Camden_State_Park is the guide.

When we went, my wife's friend who was driving made a railfan's loop without even knowing it. Leaving the cities we followed the TC&W towards Marshall; south on MN23 to the campground follows the Marshall sub, a bit south is MN14 which follows the DM&E, then up to Mankato you can follow quite a bit of the UP into the Metro. But I guess I mentioned this in the directions of the guide.

Happy camping!

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I chased a train (NTWTUL) on the Marshall Sub. in late July for the first time since 2003. The train had two CN SD50Fs and I chased it to just south of Ruthton where all the windmills are. Nice line with some decent shots and enough traffic to keep you busy.

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I don't know if I've seen those windmills in particular, but I've seen the windmills along the Marshall sub (obviously) and along the DME.

Windmills are becoming quite popular and that's good for railroads since a lot of the parts are normally shipped by rail. We may start to see more windmill trains through the area in the future.

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I don't have time to search for them, but Mike V has some RailPictures.net photos from down this way displaying wind turbines.

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Hay X glad you got some track time, that area is great. I love that drive up from Sioux Falls I must have taken more pictures of the wind farms than trains

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Milwaukee Road Matt