Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Turntable

In August 1900, rail service to the community of Currie began with the completion of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha branch line from Bingham Lake. A hand-operated turntable was built the following year, expanded in 1922, and used until the advent of diesel locomotives in the 1950s. In 1972, a local 4-H club restored the historic turntable and preserved Currie’s railroad heritage through the creation of the End-O-Line Railroad Park & Museum.

Color image of the William Crooks locomotive, ca. 2000.

William Crooks locomotive

Steam locomotive used to power Minnesota's first passenger line for the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad. Named in honor of William Crooks, the St. Paul and Pacific's chief engineer. Though the original William Crooks was nearly destroyed by fire in 1868, a rebuilt version went on to provide personal service for James J. Hill and appear at events publicizing Hill's Great Northern Railway.

Color image of a pass for the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, used by Henry Castle, 1878.

Pass for the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad

Pass for the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, used by Henry Castle, 1878.

Black and white photograph of shops and roundhouse of the First Division, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, a predecessor of Great Northern, St. Paul, 1875.

Shops and roundhouse of the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad

Shops and roundhouse of the First Division, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, a predecessor of Great Northern, St. Paul, 1875.

Black and white photograph of the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad officials and guests at Breckenridge, 1873.

St. Paul and Pacific Railroad officials and guests at Breckenridge

St. Paul and Pacific Railroad officials and guests at Breckenridge, 1873.

Black and white photograph of Mr. Danforth, conductor for St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, 1869.

Mr. Danforth

Mr. Danforth, conductor for St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, 1869.

Black and white photograph of the interior of passenger coach on St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, 1875.

Interior of passenger coach on St. Paul and Pacific Railroad

Interior of passenger coach on St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, 1875.

Black and white photograph of the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad depot, Washington Avenue and North Fourth Avenue, Minneapolis, 1874.

St. Paul and Pacific Railroad depot

St. Paul and Pacific Railroad depot, Washington Avenue and North Fourth Avenue, Minneapolis, 1874.

Black and white photograph of St. Paul and Pacific Railroad employees, 1873. Photographed by Redington & Shaffer.

St. Paul and Pacific Railroad employees

St. Paul and Pacific Railroad employees, 1873. Photographed by Redington & Shaffer.

St. Paul and Pacific Railroad

The St. Paul and Pacific Railroad, or St. P & P, was one of Minnesota’s first major railroads. It was created in 1862 from the remnants of another bankrupt line and strengthened by valuable land grants. It survived financial hardships to become a cornerstone of the Great Northern Railway system, a legendary transcontinental route and an integral part of Minnesota railroad history.

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