Area Description
Easily considered the Mecca of Twin Cities railfanning, or at least the railfan shrine on the westside of the metro, University is the westside's "funnels" of rail traffic.
A large, long strip of land, mostly paved as a parking lot for Bemis Tape, a railfan doesn't need to step one foot out of their transportation to watch the action.
Station sign University is at the east-end of BNSF's Northtown Yard and aside from the rare train using the Wayzata subdivision, all BNSF traffic passes by here towards the westcoast. Similarily, Shoreham Yard of the Canadian Pacific is here, and up to 12 CP trains will enter or exit BNSF trackage.
Amtrak passes here twice daily. Several times a week, the Canadian National will switch out in CP's Humboldt and Shoreham yards, as well as Northtown. Rarely seen these days is the Minnesota Commercial in Northtown, but the Twin Cities & Western is visiting Shoreham on a new route. Finally, the Union Pacific will pass by on their way to Superior and make a transfer into Northtown. Photography Tips Not much of a location for morning or noon photography, University is almost a must visit for photographers in the afternoon and summer evening hours.
Winter offers great shots of trains leaving both Northtown and Shoreham, since the sun hangs so low in the winter. Summer gives us a chance at inbound trains. Relatively low buildings, summer photography stretches well past 8pm.
While the length of day and most seasons accomodate photography, the "ambience" lacks a backdrop for action shots. Get ready for roster shots.
A large, long strip of land, mostly paved as a parking lot for Bemis Tape, a railfan doesn't need to step one foot out of their transportation to watch the action.
Station sign University is at the east-end of BNSF's Northtown Yard and aside from the rare train using the Wayzata subdivision, all BNSF traffic passes by here towards the westcoast. Similarily, Shoreham Yard of the Canadian Pacific is here, and up to 12 CP trains will enter or exit BNSF trackage.
Amtrak passes here twice daily. Several times a week, the Canadian National will switch out in CP's Humboldt and Shoreham yards, as well as Northtown. Rarely seen these days is the Minnesota Commercial in Northtown, but the Twin Cities & Western is visiting Shoreham on a new route. Finally, the Union Pacific will pass by on their way to Superior and make a transfer into Northtown. Photography Tips Not much of a location for morning or noon photography, University is almost a must visit for photographers in the afternoon and summer evening hours.
Winter offers great shots of trains leaving both Northtown and Shoreham, since the sun hangs so low in the winter. Summer gives us a chance at inbound trains. Relatively low buildings, summer photography stretches well past 8pm.
While the length of day and most seasons accomodate photography, the "ambience" lacks a backdrop for action shots. Get ready for roster shots.
Directions
From the East
Use either NE Lowry Ave or St. Anthony Pkwy westbound to University Ave.
If on Lowry, at Univeristy turn right. Drive three blocks and turn right onto NE 27th Ave - before the overpass.
If using the parkway, turn left onto E Frontage Rd. At stopsign, turn right and then left onto University.
After crossing over the yard, turn left at your first opportunity (27th Ave).
If on Lowry, at Univeristy turn right. Drive three blocks and turn right onto NE 27th Ave - before the overpass.
If using the parkway, turn left onto E Frontage Rd. At stopsign, turn right and then left onto University.
After crossing over the yard, turn left at your first opportunity (27th Ave).
From the West
Use either NE Lowry Ave or St. Anthony Pkwy eastbound to University Ave.
If on Lowry, at Univeristy turn left. Drive 3 blocks and turn right onto NE 27th Ave - before the overpass.
If using the parkway, cross over the yard and turn right onto E Frontage Rd. At stopsign, turn right and then left onto University. After crossing over the yard, turn left at your first opportunity (27th Ave).
If on Lowry, at Univeristy turn left. Drive 3 blocks and turn right onto NE 27th Ave - before the overpass.
If using the parkway, cross over the yard and turn right onto E Frontage Rd. At stopsign, turn right and then left onto University. After crossing over the yard, turn left at your first opportunity (27th Ave).
This entry was last read July 22, 2008 at 3:25 pm
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