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The first passenger trains I ever rode were from Superior Wi to the Twin Cities. Maybe the Soo line will be running passenger trains again.http://www.superiortelegram.com/articles/index.cfm?id=21641§ion=News
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Several years ago, AMTRAK actualy did try to run a train on that route (Twin Cities to Superior), and they called it the Arrowhead. I guess ridership wasn't what they thought it'd be, so the train only ran for a year or so.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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The Arrowhead had a longer life span than a year, Mr. Rich. I rode it during November 1977, when it was on an "up in the AM back in the PM" schedule, and the ridership appeared quite strong.
There was a dome obs (ex-Q Denver Zephyr) in consist, and the atmosphere in that car was most definitely "party zone'.
notelvis Member # 3071
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That route survived perhaps until 1981 or so....for a time it also continued on to Chicago as an overnight train between the Twin Cities and Chicago. I think at that time it was called the 'North Star'.
RRRICH Member # 1418
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David - you are right about that! -- I forgot about the "North Star"
TwinStarRocket Member # 2142
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I also rode the Arrowhead/North Star a couple of times. I concur with Mr. Norman in that ridership was strong and there was a party atmosphere in some parts of the train. So much in fact that my wife and I had one of our few unfortunate train experiences. My wife politely asked a group to stop smoking next us in coach (it was not allowed) and they harassed us for the rest of the trip. When we complained to the conductor he said there wasn't anything he could do. It kinda spoiled our little getaway since we both stay mad for awhile over incidents like that.
If I remember correctly, the train was discontinued in a lean state budget year and the annual state contribution was only around $100,000. Ridership was good, but it was seasonal. People wishing to go north in a Minnesota winter are few and far between.
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