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Savage Turn
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Short Summary
The Savage Turn uses ex-MN&S track to bring grains to Savage to be transloaded onto barges on the Minnesota River to head south. The crew goes on duty in Hopkins in the early morning (0530 roughly). Loads a brought to Savage and empties are taken north back to Hopkins to head west on the Glencoe Turn.
0530 at Hopkins
 The reason behind the early on-duty time is to prevent the Savage Turn from blocking the St. Paul Turn while in Skunk Hallow. This also guarantees the train won't be blocked by the CP 0630 MN&S Job out of Humbolt Yard. The 0630 MN&S interchanges with the Progressive Rail in Atwood.
The Glencoe Turn brings the usual 20-35 cars for Savage Turn into Hopkins. The Savage Turn ties onto their cars and brings them east to the MN&S Connection Switch (MP 429.4), just west of the Wooddale Ave. crossing. Here the train is backed onto what is called "Skunk Hallow." It is a switchback that connects the ex-Milwaukee Road (CP/TC&W) tracks to the ex-MN&S (CP owned) tracks that run North-South over the Milw. tracks. A maximum of 25-cars can fit on the switchback so two at least two moves through the switchback is almost always required. The south leg of the switchback is at a steep grade, making the engines really work to haul the loaded cars onto the MN&S.
 When the entire train is finally onto the MN&S, the train heads for Savage and the swing bridge. The MN&S, like the Bass Lake Spur, is operated under BRT but is dispatched by the CP Minnesota Dispatcher using AAR channel 94 (161.520). It's about 11 miles to Savage and is all 10MPH track. The line passes through much of the same areas as Highway 100/Normandale Blvd. does including the Hyland Ski Park.
The Savage Turn also passes through Auto Club where the Progressive Rail connects to the MN&S. The PGR is often switching in the are around the time the Savage Turn passes through so the Savage Turn can easily be delayed waiting for the PGR to clear. Here at Auto Club the train will stop so the conductor can set retainers for the trip down into the Minnesota River Valley.
 In Savage a swing bridge is used to cross the Minnesota River. The bridge is owned and maintained by the TC&W and was purchased from the CP in 1996. The train must stop on the steep grade so the conductor can align the bridge and remove the derail. The bridge is operated by a remote control.
Once the bridge is lined and locked, the train proceeds over the Minnesota River. In Savage the TC&W has access to the Bunge Terminal and Port Cargill elevators/transload facilities. In 2001 a connection track was built to gain access to United Harvest as well. AAR channel 90 (161.460) is used in Savage.
The Savage Turn doesn't always go south with loads and return with empties. If there aren't any empties, the crew will
 run back to Hopkins light power. If the TC&W needs the empty hoppers or if another Savage Turn isn't running in the near future, light engines will go down to Savage to pick up the empties. On-duty around 1100 if going to Savage for empties.
The return trip is operated exactly the same as the initial trip. The empties can be placed anywhere in the St. Louis Park/Hopkins area for the Glencoe Turn to take west that evening. The crew is usually arriving back in Hopkins around 1200-1300 if loads are brought south and empties return north.
Only one Savage Turn has run so far in 2007. Unless things change, most importantly the market, Savage Turns will continue to be a rare operation. The one to run so far may be the only one of the year, but I doubt it. Savage Turns may begin running more often when Fall comes with the grain rush.
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 Bargmann 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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