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Unit Ethanol
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Short Summary
Unit ethanol trains come off of the MPL from the Winthrop ethanol plant, Heartland Corn Products. A train runs on average, once every three-four weeks or so. The west end MPL crew goes on duty in Winthrop in the morning and brings the last section of the train to Cologne for a total of 98-cars including two buffers. From there the crew brings the entire train to Cedar Lake Jct. to be interchanged with the BNSF.
The unit ethanol trains are given a BNSF train symbol of G-NTWWAT7 XX(date)A (Grain-Northtown to Watson, CA). At Watson, CA the train is handed off to the LOMITA RAIL TERMINAL LLC who spots the train for unloading. When emptied the train is returned to the TC&W as a unit train.
Cologne to Cedar Lake Jct.
 This train could be considered more of an MPL train than a TC&W train, but it runs on the TC&W so that's good enough for me. The crew normally goes on duty at 0700 in Winthrop. The crew brings the last section of the unit train from the ethanol plant in Winthrop to Cologne where the rest of the unit train is sitting. After making the 10MPH trek to Norwood on the MPL, the train runs for 6 miles on the TC&W to reach Cologne.
At Cologne the crew assembles the train and performs an airtest. Two buffers are used on the 96-car train, totaling 98-cars. The train departs around 1000 and runs 25 miles before reaching Tower E-14 in Minnetonka. Tower E-14 is the end of TC&W ownership and the beginning on the CP Bass Lake Spur.
At Hopkins no stops should be made unless paperwork is needed at the depot.  The train can also stop if the BNSF West Hump can't take the train. If the BNSF can't take the train, they have to stop at Wooddale Ave. due to the length of the train.
Once the train receives a warrant, they head for Cedar Lake Jct. Rarely does the BNSF have a crew and power ready, waiting for the unit ethanol train to arrive. Normally the train is left on the auxiliary track between Holden St. and Harrison St. on the BNSF Wayzata Subdivision. Within the next 36-hours a BNSF crew and power come from Northtown to pick up the train and take it west to eventually arrive in Watson, CA to be unloaded.
 Arriving in Watson, CA the train is handed off to the LOMITA RAIL TERMINAL LLC. The train of 96-cars can be unloaded at the facility in 24-hours. Both loaded and empty trains run via Willmar (MN), Lincoln (NE), Kansas City (MO), Amasyard (TX), Winslow (AZ), Barstow (CA) and finally Watson.
When emptied the train is given back to the BNSF and taken back to the TC&W. Unless the St. Paul Turn or Glencoe Turn is on duty in Hopkins, the BNSF puts the empty in the auxiliary track at Holden St. for the TC&W to pick up later. The empty is brought to Hopkins where it is staged and brought to Winthrop in several pieces.
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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