Minneapolis, Northfield and Southern Railway
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Railroad |
| Predecessor | Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester and Dubuque Electric Traction Company (Dan Patch Lines) |
| Founded | 1918 |
| Fate | Purchased by Soo Line Railroad in 1982; merged in 1986 |
| Headquarters | Minneapolis , United States |
| Products | Freight and passenger rail transport |
| Parent | Soo Line Railroad (from 1982) |
The Minneapolis, Northfield and Southern Railway was a United States shortline railroad that connected Minneapolis with Northfield, Minnesota. Established in 1918, it was the successor to the Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester and Dubuque Electric Traction Company, commonly referred to as the Dan Patch Lines. The railway was purchased by the Soo Line Railroad on June 2, 1982, but continued to operate independently until it merged on January 1, 1986, along with the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (Milwaukee Road).
Up until approximately 1963, this railroad maintained Class I classification; by 1967, it reported hauling 131 million ton-miles of revenue freight across its network of track.
The Dan Patch Lines
Marion W. Savage, a businessman and owner of the famous racehorse Dan Patch, conceptualized an electric rail connection between the Twin Cities and his farm located south of the Minnesota River. After acquiring Dan Patch for $62,000 in 1902, Savage vigorously promoted both the horse and the rail line.
The route began at 54th and Nicollet—the boundary between Richfield and Minneapolis—where it linked with Minneapolis' streetcar system to facilitate passenger transfers. Officially incorporated as the Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester and Dubuque Electric Traction Company, it was popularly known as the "Dan Patch Line." Construction commenced in 1908 and reached Northfield by late 1910. Plans to extend the line to Faribault in 1911 were abandoned after failing to obtain necessary access rights.
The company established four stations along Nicollet Avenue in Richfield near agricultural areas and developed Antlers Park as a recreational site now within Lakeville, Minnesota. The railroad supported local farming communities by transporting produce and dairy goods in addition to carrying passengers.
Though originally intended as an electrified railway, the Dan Patch Line operated steam locomotives for freight services and gas-electric engines for passenger runs. Savage invested in upscale coaches outfitted with red plush seating and Victorian-style window curtains.
Despite these enhancements, the railroad faced financial difficulties; operating ratios reportedly reached as high as 147%. Shortly after both Dan Patch and Savage passed away, the company entered receivership on July 16, 1916.
Bankruptcy, receivership, and new ownership
Just four days following bankruptcy proceedings, Charles P. Bratnober—president of the Minneapolis, Anoka and Cuyuna Range Railroad—was appointed receiver. The Minneapolis, Northfield and Southern Railroad (MN&S) was incorporated in June 1918 in South Dakota and acquired Savage’s former enterprise through foreclosure on August 6, 1918. The new management emphasized the Dan Patch route between Northfield and Minneapolis and positioned the railroad as an important bridge line circumventing congested freight yards in the Twin Cities area.
The MN&S mainline traversed the western suburbs of the Twin Cities region, linking major railroads such as the Soo Line, Milwaukee Road, Omaha Road, Chicago Great Western, and Rock Island's Spine Line. Maintenance facilities were situated at Glenwood on a branch connecting to other Minneapolis-area railroads. Passenger services utilizing gas-electric motorcars continued until the 1940s. Before the Great Depression, MN&S held trackage rights over Chicago Great Western lines extending to Randolph and Mankato; afterward, freight operations persisted only to Randolph. Following bankruptcy proceedings, Dan Patch’s gas-electric locomotives were sold off while steam engines continued hauling freight into the 1940s. After World War II ended, MN&S transitioned its motive power to diesel-electric models including Baldwin DT-6-6-2000 units and various EMD locomotives.
Sale to the Soo Line and Current Operations
In 1982, the Soo Line Railroad acquired the MN&S, officially merging it by 1986. Before this acquisition, MN&S maintained a robust interchange network with multiple Class I railroads, including Rock Island, Milwaukee Road, C&NW, Soo Line, M&StL, Great Northern, and CGW. However, by 1982, this network had diminished as a result of various bankruptcies and industry consolidations. Soo Line's strategic intent was to secure the MN&S route to Northfield and obtain Rock Island's Spine Line; however, the Spine Line was ultimately purchased by C&NW in 1983. Subsequently, Soo Line expanded by acquiring Milwaukee Road in 1985. The diversion of Spine Line freight southward via Milwaukee Road routes led to a significant reduction in MN&S traffic for the following quarter-century. By 1997, the segment between Lakeville and Savage had fallen out of service. Although I&M Rail Link was granted trackage rights in 1999, these were never exercised. Additionally, Progressive Rail proposed reopening crossings and reactivating lines, but these plans did not come to fruition immediately.
Following the Soo Line takeover, the Glenwood shops were closed and associated tracks dismantled. The Canadian Pacific Railway—Soo Line’s parent company—continues to own the rail lines stretching from Savage to Lakeville and from the Minnesota River northward to MNS Junction. The Dan Patch Line Bridge spanning the Minnesota River is owned by Twin Cities and Western Railroad (TC&W), which holds trackage rights over the MN&S Spur and regards this bridge as a strategic asset for future freight movement. Anticipating increased grain shipments, TC&W undertook bridge rehabilitation efforts in 2016. By 2022, TC&W pursued state funding aimed at restoring a critical portion of track in Savage to enable direct rail service once again.
Progressive Rail controls the track segment running between Lakeville and Northfield, branding it as the Jesse James Line. Their operations include rolling stock modeled after MN&S equipment, featuring cabooses and an EMD SD39 locomotive.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation has explored commuter rail possibilities along the Dan Patch Line corridor (known as the Dan Patch Corridor). A legislative prohibition on funding further studies had been in place since 2002 but was lifted in 2023.
In late summer 2024, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) Railway initiated overnight freight operations along this route, which has generated noise complaints from local residents. The city of St. Louis Park is currently investigating whistle quiet zones along the line; however, establishing these zones would require substantial time and investment before implementation.
Bibliography
External links
- Minnesota Statewide Historic Railways Study Project Report (pages 26–56 provide detailed information on the historical importance of MN&S)