advertisement

---

Next week, the Twin Cities & Western Railroad Co. (TC&W) will mark its 15th anniversary. To celebrate, the 229-mile short line will operate passenger trains between St. Louis Park and Cologne, and Cologne and Glencoe, Minn., July 21-23.

“It’s our way of thanking customers, employees, government leaders and railroad officials who helped make our railroad a success,” said TC&W Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Wegner in a prepared statement.

Since launching operations on July 27, 1991, on former Milwaukee Road track acquired from the Soo Line, TC&W has doubled its workforce to 60 people, nearly doubled freight volume to 22,000 annual carloads and doubled service to six days per week.

During the past 15 years, the short line also has spent about $22 million to improve track, and acquire freight cars and locomotives. The railroad has acquired about 600 cars, including 512 covered hoppers.

In 2001, the Minnesota Valley Regional Rail Authority selected TC&W’s Minnesota Prairie Line subsidiary to restore and operate 94 track miles between Norwood and Hanley Falls, Minn.