The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-07-07
TWO RAILROADS
PLAN BIG YARDS
Northern Pacific Is to Establish
a Great Freight
Transfer.
EAST MINNEAPOLIS
AS FREIGHT CENTER
500 Line Is to Improve Road and
Establish Distributing
Tracks.

Tremendous yard developments are
planned for Minneapolis by two big
railroad systems, the Northern Pacific
and the 500 line, to keep pace with the
growth Of the city and the western ter
ritory which is tributary to it. The
deals involve the purchase Of hundreds
of acres of land and the immediate
utilization Of the land in facilitating
the handling Of traffic.
In the case Of the Northern Pacific it
means the erection Of roundhouse and
the establishment Of eastern terminals
for all freight trains, where the traffic
will be made up for transportation west
over the system and will be broken up
for distribution locally and eastward.
Side. The Northern Pacific is nego-
t1ating for acreage in both Southeast
and Northeast Minneapolis, and the 500
line for acres in Northeast Minneapolis.
The deals are being negotiated for the
Northern Pacific by Lester B. Elwood
Of the Corser Investment company, and
the Wisconsin Land company q st.
sin Land company.
For Big Freight Yards.
The Northern Pacific has apparently
come to the same conclusion that the
Great Northern reached in establish
ing its general freight yards in Bryn
Mawr. It has chosen for its general
yards tract Of $50 acres, which lies
between the Belt line, the Como-Harriet
car line and the Northern Pacific line,
and is securing options on 1t. The site
Of the new yards and roundkouse is
the best for the purpose in the city.
1t lies outside the railroad area; by
using this property the Northern Pa
cifc trains can enter the city without
crossing network of rails, as is neces-
sary where yards are now maintained,
and thereby congestion and consequent
annoying delay are to be avoided. Ex-
petition In handling freight will be in
creased to maximum.
This tract is in close proximity to
the Twin City stockyards at New
Brighton, and In case the feeding of
sheep at this point the logical feed
ing grounds In the twin cities, is re-
sumed, the Northern Pacific will have
! clnch on the business, and it will be
able to handle 1t in conjunction with
its new yards.
In Northeast Minneapolis
The Northern Pacific has just bought
thirty acres of property in Northeast
Minneapolis, which added to the fifty
acres it already owned adjoining, will
give space for big grain yard. This
lanQ 1ncluded the WnOle area, Deglnnlng
at Twenty-ffth avenue NE and adjoin-
ing the Republic elevator, which lies
| in tn etriangle between the Northern
Pacific and Great Northern tracks, one
angle touching at Shoreham, the 500
line headquarters. This tract COM
prises space for tracks enough to ac-
| commodate 1000 cars, and will be used
for grain inspection.
In connection with these purchases
It is announced that the Northern Pa
cific has bought 208 Of the heaviest mo-
gul engines that have ever been sent
west, and that bridges in the vicinity
Of Minneapolis are being strengthened
| to carry them, and that much double
track work is being done.
| The Soo's Purchases.
The 500 line operations are being
conducted north Of Hillside cemetery,
where the Belt line connects with the
old st. Paul Duluth line, and the land
is calculated to allow the 500 to
straighten It's main line, do away with
the heavy grade out, which requires
| helper engines, and provide big yard
distributing room. A heavy acreage is
involved In the proposition, which will
include several Of the old-time farms of
Hennepin county.