My father worked therfore years. The locomotive that you showed was the first locomotive my father worked on after he was hired at NP in 1955 grew up 3 blocks east loved that shop go with him to pick up his pay check the guys that worked there were always friendly and bought me candy from vending machines. I have photos of my father and his brothers and there sons that worked there. He worked at Mississippi Street shops and the round house retired from north town diesel shops 42 years injury free service I miss that man
Great post👍👍grew up rice st & sycamore...1949... Remember coppers coke co.1/2 mile se of como shops...on a cold day we would hear the steam switcher whistle from coppers coke,1958 last time i heard that 🚂
My wife and I went through Brainerd and I am amazed by that Northern Pacific Railyard there. It's the best I have seen next to the BNSF Railyard in Northeast Minneapolis.
Shame to see such a vast place be reduced to almost nothing, but it's nice that at least some of the historic buildings we're preserved and repurposed now. It's also cool how some obvious railroad marks have been left in place, such as the water tower and coal tower, a nod to the past steam days. I live in Tennessee now but I grew up and lived my entire life in Chicago, so as a fellow Midwesterner, so it's great to see videos like these of Minnesota's industrial past.
Thank you for your well-researched documentary on the old NP Como Shops -- yet another from your excellent RR series I've seen. In the early 1980s, and as volunteer for PBS, myself and several other volunteers helped restore two wooden RR cabooses for auction -- one from the Soo Line, in original red with yellow painted ends, the other from BN in traditional BN colors - this latter believed to have been of either GN or NP heritage (I think the latter). Both had been donated to PBS to raise funds for their local (CH 2) programing and were being stored in the old MN Transfer roundhouse in St. Paul, in the midway district, for us to work on. Because some parts of the BN caboose were missing, and since PBS thought the highest bidder would likely pay more if caboose (on its trucks) fully restored, BN allowed us to harvest whatever parts we needed from the old NP Como shops depicted here. At the time these buildings were still in use by the BN for caboose repair, as several were inside being refurbished, including many in their original NP colors or other pre-merger schemes. If only I'd thought to bring my camera, for the caboose era in railroading was soon coming to an end and not to be repeated.
Well done! I remember what it was like as a shopping mall in the 80s, with restaurants, clubs, stores, offices, and even a giant model railroad display. Very cool. The Dakota Club was a hold out as office space replaced stores, until it moved to downtown Mpls, where it is today. Similar vibe as St. Anthony Main in late 80’s.
1961 to its sale, I worked there many times doing various jobs. NPRy and BN until the shops were sold. The shop craftsman and supervisors were very capable in a broad range of skills. "If it was done at Como Shops it was done right." they would say.
@@MNBricks For a time I was doing volunteer work there, working in the machine shop and digging out inspection pits. I did some work on the NP 2156, an engine I first saw in the Como Zoo. I was tasked with freeing up the ashpan door. It was like entering a holy shrine, climbing in through the opening in the firebox, and taking in sights that I never thought I would ever see. I hope they let you inside the roundhouse to do some footage.
Beautiful buildings…I am often there…nice maps and history in the massive public hallways…however, our ancestors would be disappointed to know that there are no U.S. flags that I can recall…a number of Pride flags at the entrance and on the doorways…times change, I guess….allegiances change…I just go along to get along….it’s the best policy…
My father worked therfore years. The locomotive that you showed was the first locomotive my father worked on after he was hired at NP in 1955 grew up 3 blocks east loved that shop go with him to pick up his pay check the guys that worked there were always friendly and bought me candy from vending machines. I have photos of my father and his brothers and there sons that worked there. He worked at Mississippi Street shops and the round house retired from north town diesel shops 42 years injury free service I miss that man
Great post👍👍grew up rice st & sycamore...1949... Remember coppers coke co.1/2 mile se of como shops...on a cold day we would hear the steam switcher whistle from coppers coke,1958 last time i heard that 🚂
My wife and I went through Brainerd and I am amazed by that Northern Pacific Railyard there. It's the best I have seen next to the BNSF Railyard in Northeast Minneapolis.
Shame to see such a vast place be reduced to almost nothing, but it's nice that at least some of the historic buildings we're preserved and repurposed now. It's also cool how some obvious railroad marks have been left in place, such as the water tower and coal tower, a nod to the past steam days. I live in Tennessee now but I grew up and lived my entire life in Chicago, so as a fellow Midwesterner, so it's great to see videos like these of Minnesota's industrial past.
Interesting video and historical informations. Greetings from Poland.
Thank you for your well-researched documentary on the old NP Como Shops -- yet another from your excellent RR series I've seen. In the early 1980s, and as volunteer for PBS, myself and several other volunteers helped restore two wooden RR cabooses for auction -- one from the Soo Line, in original red with yellow painted ends, the other from BN in traditional BN colors - this latter believed to have been of either GN or NP heritage (I think the latter). Both had been donated to PBS to raise funds for their local (CH 2) programing and were being stored in the old MN Transfer roundhouse in St. Paul, in the midway district, for us to work on.
Because some parts of the BN caboose were missing, and since PBS thought the highest bidder would likely pay more if caboose (on its trucks) fully restored, BN allowed us to harvest whatever parts we needed from the old NP Como shops depicted here. At the time these buildings were still in use by the BN for caboose repair, as several were inside being refurbished, including many in their original NP colors or other pre-merger schemes. If only I'd thought to bring my camera, for the caboose era in railroading was soon coming to an end and not to be repeated.
Fantastic architecture. Glad that some of it was saved. Thanks for presenting it.
Always a good day when you post, thank you!
Well done! I remember what it was like as a shopping mall in the 80s, with restaurants, clubs, stores, offices, and even a giant model railroad display. Very cool. The Dakota Club was a hold out as office space replaced stores, until it moved to downtown Mpls, where it is today. Similar vibe as St. Anthony Main in late 80’s.
Nice! I worked at Bandana Square when it was a newly renovated shopping mall in the mid 80's...super cool old building..
I enjoy the format of arrow-on-map followed by vid or pic. Thanks!
1961 to its sale, I worked there many times doing various jobs. NPRy and BN until the shops were sold. The shop craftsman and supervisors were very capable in a broad range of skills.
"If it was done at Como Shops it was done right." they would say.
Thanks!
Another well done video. In March of 2002 I spent three weeks in the Atrium building taking Real Estate classes at Prosourse (now Kaplan).
I spoke about and recommended your channel at a Pioneer festival this weekend.
Another outstanding video.
Great vid!
Are you planning to do the Jackson Street Roundhouse?
Yes, working on that right now and it should be my next one..
@@MNBricks For a time I was doing volunteer work there, working in the machine shop and digging out inspection pits. I did some work on the NP 2156, an engine I first saw in the Como Zoo. I was tasked with freeing up the ashpan door. It was like entering a holy shrine, climbing in through the opening in the firebox, and taking in sights that I never thought I would ever see. I hope they let you inside the roundhouse to do some footage.
Great video. Just a idea , history of I think the name is kooper coke plant just that was just south of bandana square along energy park drive?
Beautiful buildings…I am often there…nice maps and history in the massive public hallways…however, our ancestors would be disappointed to know that there are no U.S. flags that I can recall…a number of Pride flags at the entrance and on the doorways…times change, I guess….allegiances change…I just go along to get along….it’s the best policy…