Minnesota Southern

Company History: The MSWY was opened in December of 2000 to take over operation of a 41 mile former Chicago & North Western line between Manly and Agate in the southwest corner of Minnesota from the previous operator Nobles Rock Railroad. The diesel roster consisted of a GP7 and a GP9, both with low noses. These were joined by a pair of SD40-2W’s named “Betty” and “Veronica.” In 2018, Minnesota Southern was acquired by Ellis & Eastern.

Successor/Parent History: The E&E is the result of the 1989 spin-off from Chicago & North Western of a 16 mile line from Ellis through Sioux Falls to Brandon, South Dakota. Primarily they haul aggregates and cement for their parent company Sweetman Construction but there are a few unrelated customers along the line as well. The locomotive fleet consists of an SW1200, an SW900 and a pair of GP10’s.

Brief History: The U.S. is a country of 50 states covering a vast swath of North America, with Alaska in the northwest and Hawaii extending the nation’s presence into the Pacific Ocean. Major Atlantic Coast cities are New York, a global finance and culture center, and capital Washington, DC. Midwestern metropolis Chicago is known for influential architecture and on the west coast, Los Angeles' Hollywood is famed for filmmaking.