Great Northern Streamliner Project

Many museums preserve individual pieces of equipment. Few are able to "bring them alive" by re-creating their working environment. Blessed with a decent collection of Great Northern equipment, MTM's trains often re-create Great Northern passenger service.

Presenting MTM's Great Northern Streamliner! Here, in a virtual "train," are the two locomotives and ten cars. Get more detail on each piece, or the GN service it was built for, by following the links.

GN Streamlined Equipment Set

"Hustle Muscle" 400, the first production SD45, resembles the SDP40 and SDP45 passenger diesels the GN purchased in 1966-67 to reequip its passenger trains. 400 is on loan from the GNRHS, and normally displayed inside the Jackson Street Roundhouse museum.

F7 454A represents the three-unit, A-B-A passenger F3's and F7's which pulled GN's passenger trains from 1946 into 1971. It is stored at Jackson Street for future restoration.

In 1965-67, the GN converted ten old F3 and F7 'B' units into steam heat cars. They supplemented the SDP passenger diesels in the dead of winter, and also allowed regular freight SD's like the 400 to pull passenger trains in a pinch. 16 is stored at Jackson Street for future use.

Most passenger trains hauled mail, express packages, and baggage at the head end. Because passenger trains had priority over freights, this was a great way to expedite delivery of time-sensitive materials. The head end of the train was the best place for baggage cars, because the passengers were not allowed through them, and that location endured the most soot from the steam engines. 265 is being renovated for operation at Osceola.

The Empire Builder included one 60-seat coach for short-distance passengers. 1213 is an example from the 1951 Mid-Century Empire Builder. Its normal position was directly behind the RPO, baggage, and crew dormitory cars. 1213 is in service at Osceola.

The Empire Builder included three 48-seat leg-rest coaches for long-distance passengers. 1215 is an example from the 1951 Mid-Century Empire Builder. Its normal position was directly behind the short-distance coach. 1215 is at Osceola for restoration.

The Empire Builder included three 48-seat leg-rest coaches for long-distance passengers. 1224 is an example from the 1951 Mid-Century Empire Builder. Its normal position was directly behind the short-distance coach. 1224 is at Jackson Street for restoration.

In 1962-3, the GN picked up 22 former C&NW '400' coaches, because it needed more coach space. They were normally used in secondary and short-haul passenger trains. 1096 is in service at Osceola.

In 1962-3, the GN picked up 22 former C&NW '400' coaches, because it needed more coach space. They were normally used in secondary and short-haul passenger trains. 1097 is in service at Osceola.

1146 is a 24-seat diner/28-seat coach, which served three meals daily on the Seattle to Vancouver "International" passenger trains throughout the 1950's. For most of the 1960's it served on the "Red River" and "Dakotan" trains from St. Paul, MN to Grand Forks and Minot. In the 1970's it joined Amtrak's roster. 1146 has been leased from a member, and should arrive at Jackson Street in September for further restoration.

"Twin Ports" 1084 is a square-end buffet-parlor-observation car, which provided first-class service on the Twin Cities to Duluth/Superior 1952 "Gopher"/"Badger" hotshot passenger trains. First class cars were normally at the end of the train. 1084 is stored at Jackson Street for future restoration.

Business car A11 was stationed in St Paul for use by Executives. It was often tacked onto the end of GN passenger trains for official business. A11 is in service at Osceola, providing first class and special event service.

While not a streamlined car, rider-baggage car 480 was one of a handful the GN used at the rear of the streamlined Western Star. It was painted to match the streamlined equipment.

	"Hustle Muscle" 400, the first production SD45, resembles the SDP40 and SDP45 passenger diesels the GN purchased in 1966-67 to reequip its passenger trains. 400 is on loan from the GNRHS, and normally displayed inside the Jackson Street Roundhouse museum.
	F7 454A represents the three-unit, A-B-A passenger F3's and F7's which pulled GN's passenger trains from 1946 into 1971. It is stored at Jackson Street for future restoration.
	In 1965-67, the GN converted ten old F3 and F7 'B' units into steam heat cars. They supplemented the SDP passenger diesels in the dead of winter, and also allowed regular freight SD's like the 400 to pull passenger trains in a pinch. 16 is stored at Jackson Street for future use.
	Most passenger trains hauled mail, express packages, and baggage at the head end. Because passenger trains had priority over freights, this was a great way to expedite delivery of time-sensitive materials. The head end of the train was the best place for baggage cars, because the passengers were not allowed through them, and that location endured the most soot from the steam engines. 265 is being renovated for operation at Osceola.
	The Empire Builder included one 60-seat coach for short-distance passengers. 1213 is an example from the 1951 Mid-Century Empire Builder. Its normal position was directly behind the RPO, baggage, and crew dormitory cars. 1213 is in service at Osceola.
	The Empire Builder included three 48-seat leg-rest coaches for long-distance passengers. 1215 is an example from the 1951 Mid-Century Empire Builder. Its normal position was directly behind the short-distance coach. 1215 is at Osceola for restoration.
	The Empire Builder included three 48-seat leg-rest coaches for long-distance passengers. 1224 is an example from the 1951 Mid-Century Empire Builder. Its normal position was directly behind the short-distance coach. 1224 is at Jackson Street for restoration.
	In 1962-3, the GN picked up 22 former C&NW '400' coaches, because it needed more coach space. They were normally used in secondary and short-haul passenger trains. 1096 is in service at Osceola.
	In 1962-3, the GN picked up 22 former C&NW '400' coaches, because it needed more coach space. They were normally used in secondary and short-haul passenger trains. 1097 is in service at Osceola.
	1146 is a 24-seat diner/28-seat coach, which served three meals daily on the Seattle to Vancouver "International" passenger trains throughout the 1950's. For most of the 1960's it served on the "Red River" and "Dakotan" trains from St. Paul, MN to Grand Forks and Minot. In the 1970's it joined Amtrak's roster. 1146 has been leased from a member, and should arrive at Jackson Street in September for further restoration.
	"Twin Ports" 1084 is a square-end buffet-parlor-observation car, which provided first-class service on the Twin Cities to Duluth/Superior 1952 "Gopher"/"Badger" hotshot passenger trains. First class cars were normally at the end of the train. 1084 is stored at Jackson Street for future restoration.
	Business car A11 was stationed in St Paul for use by Executives. It was often tacked onto the end of GN passenger trains for official business. A11 is in service at Osceola, providing first class and special event service.
	While not a streamlined car, rider-baggage car 480 was one of a handful the GN used at the rear of the streamlined Western Star. It was painted to match the streamlined equipment.