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Unit DDG
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Short Summary
Unit DDG trains come off of the MPL from the Winthrop ethanol plant, Heartland Corn Products. A train runs on average, once every three-four weeks. The train never runs on actual TC&W owned track, but TC&W crews are used out of Hopkins. The train is assembled in the Hopkins area. When ready, UP power comes in and ties onto the train at the Cedar Lake Line/Bass Lake Spur border and takes the train to S. South St. Paul. The train departs in the morning ahead of the St. Paul Turn.
Once on the UP, the train is 75-cars and runs with a symbol of GBS4BN-(date) which means; Grain Byproduct; S4 is the code at St. Paul off TCW; BN is Bliss, Idaho.
Hopkins to S. St. Paul
 The unit DDG train is built much like the unit ethanol train, but on the CP Bass Lake Spur. The train is built either at Dominic (Minnetonka) or at "The Creek" in St. Louis Park. These are the only two places a train of this size can fit. It is not uncommon for the MPL to run into Hopkins to deliver the last section of the train.
Once all 75-cars are together, the train is ready to be delivered to the UP at their South St. Paul Yard. This move is done with power that is provided by the Union Pacific. This is done in an effort to expedite the train through the yards in St. Paul.
 A TC&W crew is cabbed to the UP's East Minneapolis Yard to pick up the UP power for the train. The power runs light from East Minneapolis to the Cedar Lake Line where it ties onto the DDG train. In Hopkins, the St. Paul Turn ties onto the DDG train and shoves it to the Bass Lake Spur/Cedar Lake Line border for the UP power to tie onto. Currently, the UP power (6-axles) is only allowed to travel on the Bass Lake Spur for 10-car lengths, which is why the shove is required. This rule will change in the future.
When the UP power is finally tied onto the train, it pulls down to the Cedar Lake Parkway with the St. Paul Turn still attached. This is done  so the crew on the UP power doesn't have to get Bass Lake BRT. After the St. Paul Turn power cuts off, and the marker is hung and armed, the train is ready to head for S. St. Paul.
With permission and a warrant, the train begins the slow journey on the Cedar Lake Line to reach the BNSF Wayzata Sub. at Cedar Lake Jct. These are the first UP trains to be on this ex-C&NW (exx-M&St.L) since the line to Merriam was torn up in the mid-1990s. The train continues on the same route as the St. Paul Turn through Minneapolis Jct. but has the option of taking the BNSF Midway Sub. past St. Anthony to reach S. St. Paul. If traffic is heavy on the Midway Sub.,  the train can also run on the CP Merriam Park Sub.
The DDG train has the option of either running into the Belt Yard (adjacent to CP St. Paul Yard) or going over the Robert St. Lift Bridge and directly into S. St. Paul. If the Merriam Park Sub. is used the train has to run into the Belt Yard since the train is facing the wrong direction to cross the Mississippi River.
The train is usually handed off to a yard crew at either of the yards and a road crew is called shortly after. The train runs with a symbol of GBS4BN-(date) and is bound for Bliss, Idaho. GB=Grain Byproduct; S4=TC&W Interchange at St. Paul; BN=Bliss, Idaho. Thanks to Ken Schmidt for the UP symbol information.
Do not think of any of this information as absolute truth. After all, we are talking about a railroad here. Things change constantly.
I tried to be as clear as possible while remaining detailed. If anything is unclear, you want me to expand on something or if you have any questions drop me a line. If you have any corrections, additions or updates please let me know.
Thank you.
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Site Info
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This website was made by hand and I recommend viewing this site at 1280x800 in 16 or 32 bit color for proper display.
If you have any comments, questions, corrections, contributions, etc. please e-mail me at MikeyB09@gmail.com
Copyright 2007 Mike B. All rights reserved.
Photos for personal use only. All rights reserved by original owner of image.
This site and I are in no way connected with the Twin Cities & Western Railroad Co., Minnesota Prairie Line Co. or Red River Valley & Western Railroad Co.
All information posted on these pages was gained from individuals, e-mail lists, other web sites, or my own observations. Reproduction or redistribution in any form without express written permission is prohibited.
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