National Train Day 2015 at St. Paul Union Depot
May 9, 2015 was National Train Day. Like 2014, we return to Union Depot in St. Paul for more displays than last year.
Amtrak displayed a brand new baggage car.
Friends of the 261 displayed 4 of their passenger cars, including:
Cedar Rapids - Skytop Observation Car
Super Dome 53 - Full-length dome car
Concession Car - Baggage car
Lamberts Point - Business Observation Car
BNSF displayed a new ES44C4
Great Northern Railway Historical Society displayed Hustle Muscle #400, the first production SD45 ever built.
Minnesota Transportation Museum displayed coach 1213.
We tour all the equipment and then hit the mainline to chase GN #400 as the MTM & GNRHS signed a two-year agreement to use the SD45 on MTM's OSCVRR.
Train timelapse - Big Lake, MN to Minneapolis, MN
Train POV timelapse from Big Lake to Target Field in Minneapolis.
Out on the town in the Twin Cities
Trendy districts in Minneapolis and charming cobbled streets in Saint Paul: what one city on the mighty Mississippi River lacks, the other one offers. Local travel bloggers Micah and Jenna proudly introduce you to the Twin Cities. See full story in
Naturalization Ceremony, St. Paul RiverCentre, Nov. 13, 2018
On Tuesday, 992 people raised their right hands and pledged allegiance to the United States, becoming new citizens. If you didn't know what the Oath of Allegiance entails, take a listen.
Haunted Places in The Twin Cities
Tonight we're exploring and area, far greater than a simple town. A landscape seething with eerie superstitions, terrifying apparitions, and downright bone chilling hauntings. Turn out the lights, grab the popcorn, and settle in for the Speakeasy's list of the most haunted places in the Twin Cities! Enjoy!
Photos:
“James J. Hill House 2013” by McGhiever ( is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
“James J. Hill House” by Mac H (media601) ( is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
“JJHHMainFireplace” by Minnesota Historical Society ( is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
“JJHHDiningRoom” by Minnesota Historical Society ( is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
“Washington Avenue Bridge” by Mac H (media601) ( is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
“Washington Avenue Bridge Minneapolis” by Mulad ( is in the Public Domain
“Washington Avenue Bridge traffic” by Michael Hicks ( is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Washington Avenue Bridge east end” by Mulad ( is in the Public Domain
“Minnesota State Capitol night” by McGhiever ( is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
“Minnesota State Capitol 2017” by McGhiever ( is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
“Minnesota State Capitol” by Mulad ( is in the Public Domain
“Minnesota State Capitol” by History127 ( is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
“Minnesota State Capitol – Rotunda” by Tony Webster ( is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
“Minneapolis City Hall” by Tony Webster ( is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Minneapolis City Hall” by Tony Webster ( is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Minneapolis City Hall” by Tony Webster ( is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“A.D. MDCCCLXXXIX - Minneapolis City Hall” by Tony Webster ( is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
“Minneapolis City Hall Sunset Rain” by Tony Webster ( is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
“Minneapolis City Hall circa 1900” by the Minnesota Historical Society ( is in the Public Domain
“Minneapolis Institute of Arts” by Alvintrusty ( is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
“Minneapolis Institute of Arts” by by Tony Webster ( is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Minneapolis Institute of Arts” by City of Minneapolis Archives ( is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, Minn. / postcard” by MCAD Library ( is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Minneapolis Institute of Arts” by edkohler ( is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“The Sixth Avenue approach to the Institute of Arts, through Washburn Park (preparatory for Minneapolis Institute of Arts)” by MCAD Library ( is licensed under CC BY 2.0
“Taking the Night Air” by Phil Simonson ( is licensed under 2.0
Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul.
This video was uploaded from an Android phone.
Transportation Museum - St. Louis, MO
The Transportation Museum, St. Louis, MO with Jake
Union Depot Celebrates 'Train Days'
St. Paul’s Union Depot is celebrating all things transit with Train Days this weekend, Ali Lucia reports (8:02). WCCO This Morning – April 29, 2016
Minnesota State Capitol Building
When the current State Capitol building was built in 1905, it was the third in Minnesota’s storied history (the first burned down in 1881 and the second quickly became too small for the growing government). The 12-year, $4.5 million project designed by local architect Cass Gilbert would be worth $110 million today.
Learn more:
Lionel O-Gauge trains at Scale Model Supplies in St. Paul, MN (2019) (Traditional) #1
This is a video of the train store in St. Paul I went to last week. This train store was amazing, it had almost everything not just trains. They had Lionel, MTH, K Line, Atlas, etc. Most of the stuff was rare, the sets were very overpriced due to them being discontinued, but the cars were very cheap, the operating cars and stuff were a bit overpriced though. If you are in Minnesota, you should visit that store because it's very cool! Soon again I will come back here to get some more rare stuff that have never been reviewed or shown on YouTube before. :)
A Schindler elevator at the old train station in St. Paul
Good elevator
Minneapolis, the Water City
Minneapolis has grown into a major American city, and part of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Water has played an important part in the city's growth, This video explains why that is.
Steam Excursions on the Railroad Mainline
Steam Excursions on the Railroad Mainline
Created on 3/12/18
Completed on 5/31/18
It’s been such a long time since we’ve been able to create a documentary. In this railroad documentary, we discuss mainline steam excursions. Last year in our production company’s history, we had three opportunities to see two different steam locomotives on the mainline: Nickel Plate Road 765 and SOO Line 1003 (Twice in 2017). Throughout the documentary, our very own Andrew Mangalindan, along with our other crew members Branden Phillips, Casey Walker, and Aaron Gonzales explain how special steam excursions are and how these excursions can happen on the railroad mainline. We’re excited to share this special railroad documentary featuring steam locomotives on the mainline. Even though we only have video footage of SOO Line 1003, Nickel Plate Road 765, and Frisco 1630, we will continue to try hard and find more steam excursions with other steam locomotives. Listed below are steam organizations and railroad museum websites and social media accounts so you can find out future steam excursions. As always, sit back and enjoy this special railroad documentary.
Union Pacific Steam (Cheyenne, Wyoming)
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Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society (New Haven, Indiana)
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Friends of the 261 (St. Paul, Minnesota)
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San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society (San Bernardino, California)
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Fire Up 611 (Roanoke, Virginia)
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Steam Railroad Institute (Owosso, Michigan)
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Oregon Railroad Heritage Foundation (Portland, Oregon)
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Steam Locomotive Heritage Association (Hartford, Wisconsin)
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Illinois Railway Museum (Union, Illinois)
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Nevada Northern Railway Museum (Ely, Nevada)
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Strasburg Railroad (Ronks, Pennsylvania)
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DS_Update Virginia class subs get upgraded Tactical Control Systems
Navy Virginia class subs get upgraded Tactical Control Systems
The Navy’s accelerated integration of new commercial hardware and software into its submarine fleet is particularly suited for the technologies woven into the Virginia class of attack submarines.
The submarines are being upgraded with a new Tactical Control System (TCS) to provide weapons control, improved network subsystems, and other critical technologies, a Pentagon announcement said.
The TCS portion of BYG-1 integrates sensor inputs to provide a common operational picture and enhance information assurance for attack and guided missile submarines.
A key reason for integrating COTS into the Virginia class submarines is because the newer submarines rely heavily on computer technology, automation and advanced sensors.
The new technology is designed to exploit the power of sonar, electronic support measures, radar, navigation, periscopes and communication, according to information from the Navy and General Dynamics Mission Systems (GD-MS).
According to the Navy, TCS makes use of advanced equipment through commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technology and upgrades it with a practice called Acoustic Rapid COTS Insertion.
“By adapting off-the-shelf technology to upgrading Virginia class, the Navy and its contractors are able to exploit the latest commercial advances while saving money. The commercial sector typically leads the military in fielding cutting-edge electronics, so it makes sense to leverage what's available in the marketplace in support of naval needs,” said Loren Thompson, Chief Operating Officer at Lexington Institute.
The Navy will continue to work with GD over a period of more than eight years to sustain the initiative to integrate COTS technologies into the submarine fleet. The most recent deal included a $36 million modification to the arrangement.
Commercially developed software and information are provided openly and freely to the TCS development community of contractors, laboratories, and universities as well as other DOD organizations and partners.
Throughout each development and integration cycle, which takes place on a biennial schedule, the software and system design information is provided at set increments.
This is designed to allow for frequent evaluation and testing by the end user, GD said.
In today’s increasingly contested undersea domain, attack submarines are increasingly performing ISR missions since they are able to reach areas closer to enemy coastline than some surface ships.
Compared to older Navy attack subs like the Los Angeles class, the Virginia class submarines are engineered to bring vastly improved littoral warfare, surveillance and open ocean capabilities, service officials said.
The Virginia-class submarines are designed with this “Fly-by-Wire” capability which allows the ship to quietly linger in shallow waters without having to surface or have each small move controlled by a human operator. With this technology, a human operator will order depth and speed, allowing software to direct the movement of the planes and rudder to maintain course and depth.
The Block III Virginia class submarines also have a Large Aperture Bow conformal array sonar system that is designed to send out an acoustic ping, analyze the return signal, and provide the location and possible contours of enemy ships, submarines and other threats.
Cab ride on the Osceola & St Croix Valley SDP40
Best seat on the train
1970's Old Red Flexible Metro Transit Bus (MTC).
Back in 1985, Hollywood came to the Twin Cities to film the movie: That Was Then....This Is Now: Starring Emilio Estevez and Craig Sheffer. The producers just happened to use one of the old MTC City Buses for that movie, and here are all the scenes featuring that bus #461, built in 1972 and retired from service in 1984. The bus didn't travel an actual Route in the movie, but the scenes were filmed in St. Paul's East Side around Maria and 5th. Back then bus routes serving that neighborhood would have been the St. Paul, Route 3 Line. Today the area is served by St. Paul Routes 63 and 70. Special thanks go to Aaron Isaacs and Scott Thompson for much of the historical information.
St. Paul Police Officer of the Year, April 26, 2018
St. Paul Police Chief Todd Axtell announced the winners of the 2017 Officer, Detective and Civilian Employee of the Year at a ceremony on April 26, 2018.
Steamboats On The Red
Looking at the shallow twists and turns of the Red River, its hard to imagine that steampowered paddlewheel boats were once the most important transportation link between St. Paul and Winnipeg. From the first in 1859 to the last that sank in 1909, Red River steamboats hauled thousands of settlers and millions of pounds of freight across the border. Although it lasted barely 50 years, the age of the steamboat forged a commercial network between the United States and Canada that exists to this day in the I29 corridor.
To shine a spotlight on this important piece of prairie history, Steamboats on the Red examines the history of steamboat transportation on the Red River and the impact this important trade route had on the development of the region.
The $1,000 prize that was the key to unlocking trade fl oodgates between the United States and Canada.
How the partnership between railroads and riverboats turned to cut-throat competition.
The larger than life personalities who launched steamboats on the Red.
The evolution of Red River communities from backwater outposts to thriving boom towns.
How the riverboats carried the seeds of their own destruction.
Funding for online video streaming is provided by the Minnesota Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
About the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund
In 2008, Minnesota voters passed a landmark piece of legislation the Minnesota Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment which provided funding to public television stations serving audiences in Minnesota. Its mission is to help preserve and document the treasures of culture, history, and heritage that make Minnesota special, and to increase access to the natural and cultural resources we all share.
Trip to Twin City Model Railroad Museum
I took my son to the Twin City Model Railroad Museum in St Paul, Mn. You can hear him tooting every once in awhile. If your ever in the Twin Cities you have to see this museum.
Top 25 Happiest Cities In America
Check out the top 25 happies cities in america! From healthiest cities to the ones with the highest happiness rating, these are some of the best american cities to live in!
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Check out our video on Top 10 Craziest River Monsters here:
Check out our video on Top 20 American Cities here:
Check out our video on Top 7 Best Snipers In American History! here:
25.) Austin, Texas
National Geographic, Gallup, and New York Times best-selling author Dan Buettner did a study which measured a population's happiness using 15 metrics, such as civic engagement, walkability, healthy food options, and access to nature. Austin and the Round Rock area in Texas start off the list because of the Barton Springs pool located within Austin’s Zilker Park. This is a three-acre pool with water sourced from underground springs. In fact, people from all walks of life take advantage of this year-round pool, from swimmers and sunbathers, to locals in order to keep cool in the Texas heat.
24.) Portland, Maine
This area ranks in at number 24 of the happiest cities in the United States, based on factors such as, walkability, access to nature, and civic engagement. In fact, people are so happy in this city that it is home to a third of the state’s residents! If you visit Portland, some of the must see attractions are the Victoria Mansion, which is the finest example of residential design from the pre-Civil War era in America, local theaters, and art museums.
23.) San Diego, California
Visitors to the San Diego and Carlsbad area come from all over the world to Balboa Park, a 1,200-acre oasis in San Diego, California. The urban park includes the famous San Diego Zoo, home to more than 3,500 animals. In addition, if you are into touring haunted places, San Diego have over 10 areas you could tour within its city!
22.) Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Bloomington area in Minnesota is number 22. This area, while it can certainly get cold, holds a beautiful winter season with various winter weather related opportunities, such as over 100 miles of skiing. And, of course, you could always warm up by viewing its museums, historical societies, and other indoor places. Furthermore, once the snow thaws, summer festivals take over the streets of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
21.) Washington, D.C.
There is a large are which covers a couple states that takes over number 21 on the happiest cities of America and this area is the Washington, Arlington, and Alexandria, District of Columbia and Virginia. While most Americans think of Washington, D.C. as the capital of the United States of America, to the locals, it is simply a wonderful place to live. And that should be no surprise to anyone with the many adventures a person could have from viewing the White House, the Arlington National Cemetery, seeing the tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, along with dozens of museums. On top of this, they city has enjoyed a booming food scene in recent years and a variety of green spaces.
20.) Oxnard, California
The Oxnard and Thousand Oaks, California area sits on the list at number 20 with its combination of great weather, beaches, and nearby national forests. You will always have an adventure if you visit this area as the area holds so much to do, such as a Kayak center, historical museums, various parks, and festivals.
19.) Manchester, New Hampshire
The Manchester and Nashua area made the top happiest cities in America list because of the beautiful scenery it holds as it sits on the banks of the Merrimack River. It is also known to be the largest city in New Hampshire. It is also just about an hour drive from the Atlantic Coast, Boston, and the White Mountains, which is an 800,000 acre national forest.
18.) Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs sits a mile above sea level, and is located near the base of Pikes Peak. The stunning red rock formations in the city’s Garden of the Gods draw some two million visitors every year. Furthermore, there are more than a dozen other attractions to see, such as the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum and Glen Eyrie (eerie) Castle. On top of this, you can also experience going up in a hot air balloon.