List of Minnesota railroads


The following railroads operate in the U.S. state of Minnesota.

Common freight carriers

NameMarkSystemFromToSuccessorNotes
Albert Lea and Southern RailroadALSIC18991908Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad-
Austin and Mankato RailroadGN18801881St. Cloud, Mankato and Austin Railroad-
Barnesville and Moorhead RailwayBMRGN18801880St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railway-
Bass Brook RailroadBBR18891892N/A-
Big Fork and International Falls RailwayBFIFNP19081923Northern Pacific Railway-
Big Fork and Northern RailwayBFNNP19051942Northern Pacific Railway-
Brainerd and Northern Minnesota RailwayBNMRNP18921901Minnesota and International Railway-
Buffalo Ridge RailroadBFRR19891992Nobles Rock Railroad-
Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern RailwayBCRNRI18761903Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway-
Burlington Northern and Santa Fe RailwayBNSF19962005BNSF Railway-
Burlington Northern Inc.BN19701981Burlington Northern Railroad-
Burlington Northern RailroadBN19811996Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway-
Caledonia and Mississippi RailwayCMRCMILW18731880Chicago, Clinton, Dubuque and Minnesota Railroad-
Caledonia, Mississippi and Western RailroadCMWRMILW18791880Chicago, Clinton, Dubuque and Minnesota Railroad-
Canadian Northern RailwayCNCN19011923Canadian National Railway-
Cannon River Improvement CompanyCGW18721878Minnesota Central Railroad-
Cedar Rapids, Iowa Falls and Northwestern RailwayCRINRI18801902Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway-
Cedar Valley RailroadCVAR19841991Cedar River Railroad-
Central Railroad of MinnesotaCRCMMILW18721879Southern Minnesota Railway-
Chatfield RailroadCHRCCNW18781881Winona and St. Peter Railroad-
Cherokee and Dakota RailroadCDRCIC18871888Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad-
Chicago, Burlington and Northern RailroadCB&Q18851899Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad-
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy RailroadCB&Q, CBQCB&Q18991970Burlington Northern Inc.-
Chicago, Burlington and Quincy RailwayCB&Q19011907N/ALeased the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad
Chicago, Clinton, Dubuque and Minnesota RailroadCCDMMILW18781880Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway-
Chicago and Dakota RailwayCDRYCNW18791881Winona and St. Peter Railroad-
Chicago, Dubuque and Minnesota RailroadCDMRMILW18711877Dubuque and Minnesota Railroad-
Chicago Great Western RailroadCGWCGW19091941Chicago Great Western Railway-
Chicago Great Western RailwayCGWCGW19401968Chicago and North Western Railway-
Chicago Great Western RailwayCGWCGW18921909Chicago Great Western Railroad-
Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul RailwayCMSPMILW18741928Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad-
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific RailroadMILWMILW19281985The Milwaukee Road, Inc.-
Chicago and North Western RailwayCNWCNW18701972Chicago and North Western Transportation Company-
Chicago and North Western Transportation CompanyCNWCNW19721995Union Pacific Railroad-
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific RailroadRI, ROCKRI19471980Chicago and North Western Railway-
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific RailwayRIRI19021948Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad-
Chicago, St. Paul and Kansas City RailwayCSPKCCGW18861893Chicago Great Western Railway-
Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha RailwayCMOCNW18811972Chicago and North Western Transportation Company-
Cuyuna Iron Range RailwayCIRRCP19081910Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railway-
Cuyuna Northern RailwayCNRCNP19111914Northern Pacific Railway-
Dakota Rail, Inc.DAKR19852000N/A-
Des Moines Valley Railway of MinnesotaDMVRCNW18991900Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway-
Dubuque and Minnesota RailroadDMNRMILW18771878Chicago, Clinton, Dubuque and Minnesota Railroad-
Dubuque and Sioux City RailroadDSCRIC18881946Illinois Central Railroad-
Duluth, Crookston and Northern RailroadDCNRNP18891898Northern Pacific Railway-
Duluth, Glencoe and Southwestern RailwayMILW18881900Duluth, St. Cloud, Glencoe and Mankato Railway-
Duluth and Iron Range RailroadDIRR18741938Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway-
Duluth and Manitoba RailroadDMRNP18851898Northern Pacific Railway-
Duluth and Manitoba RailwayNP18841885Duluth and Manitoba Railroad-
Duluth, Missabe and Northern RailwayDM&NDMN18911937Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway-
Duluth, Mississippi River and Northern RailroadDMRNGN18921899Eastern Railway of Minnesota-
Duluth and Northeastern RailroadDNE18982002Cloquet Terminal Railroad-
Duluth and Northern Minnesota RailwayDNM18981923N/A-
Duluth, Rainy Lake and Winnipeg RailwayDRLWCN19051912Duluth, Winnipeg and Pacific Railway-
Duluth, Red Wing and Southern RailroadDRWSCGW18861901Wisconsin, Minnesota and Pacific Railroad-
Duluth, St. Cloud, Glencoe and Mankato RailwayDSCGMILW19001910Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway-
Duluth Short Line RailwayDSLRNP18861898St. Paul and Duluth Railroad-
Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic RailroadDSACP19491961Soo Line Railroad-
Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic RailwayDS&A, DSS&A, DSACP1949Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railroad-
Duluth and Superior Bridge CompanyDSB18941901Eastern Railway of Minnesota-
Duluth, Superior and Western RailwayDSWGN18961898Eastern Railway of Minnesota-
Duluth Terminal RailwayDTRCGN18871928Great Northern Railway-
Duluth Transfer RailroadDTRRNP19021902Northern Pacific Railway-
Duluth Transfer RailwayDTRYNP18901902Duluth Transfer Railroad-
Duluth Union Depot CompanyDUDNP18891892Duluth Union Depot and Transfer Company-
Duluth Union Depot and Transfer CompanyDUDTNP1892N/A-
Duluth, Virginia and Rainy Lake RailwayDVRLCN19011905Duluth, Rainy Lake and Winnipeg Railway-
Duluth and Winnipeg RailroadDWRCGN18781896Duluth, Superior and Western Railway-
Duluth, Winnipeg and Pacific RailroadCN1909-
Eastern Railway of MinnesotaERCMGN18871907Great Northern Railway-
Electric Short Line RailroadESLRCP19081915Electric Short Line Terminal Company-
Electric Short Line RailwayESLMSTL19081924Minnesota Western Railroad-
Electric Short Line Terminal CompanyESLTCCP19151956Minneapolis, Northfield and Southern Railway-
Fargo and St. Louis Air Line RailroadMILW18831883Fargo and Southern Railway-
Fargo and Southern RailwayFSRCMILW18831885Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway-
Grantsburgh, Rush City and St. Cloud RailroadGRSCNP18781899St. Paul and Duluth Railroad-
Great Northern RailwayGNGN18891970Burlington Northern Inc.-
Green Bay and Minnesota RailroadGBM18741881Green Bay, Winona and St. Paul Railroad-
Green Bay and Western RailroadGB&W, GBW18961985N/A-
Green Bay, Winona and St. Paul RailroadGBWSP18811896Green Bay and Western Railroad-
Gunflint and Lake Superior RailroadG&LS19021909N/A-
Hastings and Dakota RailwayHDMILW18671880Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway-
Hastings, Minnesota River and Red River of the North RailroadMILW18571867Hastings and Dakota Railway-
Hill City RailwayHCY19151935N/A-
Illinois Central RailroadICIC18871972Illinois Central Gulf Railroad-
Illinois Central Gulf RailroadICG19721984Cedar Valley Railroad-
I&M Rail LinkIMRL19972002Iowa, Chicago and Eastern Railroad-
International Bridge and Terminal Company19021910Minnesota, Dakota and Western Railway-
Iowa Central RailwayMSTL19011912Minneapolis and St. Louis Railroad-
Iowa, Chicago and Eastern RailroadICE20022008Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad-
Iowa, Minnesota and Northwestern RailwayCNW18981900Chicago and North Western Railway-
Kettle River RailroadGN18861893Eastern Railway of Minnesota-
LaCrosse, Trempealeau and Prescott RailroadCNW18571877Chicago and North Western Railway-
Lake Superior and Mississippi RailroadNP18611877St. Paul and Duluth Railroad-
Lake Superior and South Western RailwayGN18851888Eastern Railway of Minnesota-
Little Falls and Dakota RailroadNP18791900Northern Pacific Railway-
Little Falls and Southern RailroadNP18901899Northern Pacific Railway-
Mankato and New Ulm RailwayCNW18991900Winona and St. Peter Railroad-
Mantorville Railway and Transfer CompanyCGW18951896Chicago Great Western Railway-
Mason City and Fort Dodge RailroadCGW19051940Chicago Great Western Railroad-
Mason City and Fort Dodge RailwayCGW19021905Mason City and Fort Dodge Railroad-
McGregor Western RailwayMILW18661867Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway-
Mesabe Southern Railway1894N/A-
The Milwaukee Road, Inc.MILWMILW19851986Soo Line Railroad-
Milwaukee and St. Paul RailwayMILW18671874Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway-
Minneapolis, Anoka and Cuyuna Range RailroadMA&C, MACRGN1929-
Minneapolis, Anoka and Cuyuna Range RailwayMA&CGN19151929Minneapolis, Anoka and Cuyuna Range RailroadFreight service electrified in 1922
Minneapolis Belt Line CompanyGN19171928Great Northern Railway-
Minneapolis and Cedar Valley RailroadMILW18561860Minneapolis, Faribault and Cedar Valley Railroad-
Minneapolis and Duluth RailroadNP18711881Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway-
Minneapolis Eastern RailwayMINECNW/ MILW1878-
Minneapolis, Faribault and Cedar Valley RailroadMILW18621864Minnesota Central Railway-
Minneapolis Industrial RailwayMIRMSTL1959-
Minneapolis, New Ulm and Southwestern RailroadMSTL18951899Minneapolis and St. Louis Railroad-
Minneapolis and Northern RailwayGN19121915Minneapolis, Anoka and Cuyuna Range Railway-
Minneapolis, Northfield and Southern RailwayMNSCP19181986Soo Line Railroad-
Minneapolis and Northwestern RailroadGN18781883St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railway-
Minneapolis and Pacific RailwayCP18841888Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railway-
Minneapolis and Rainy River RailwayM&RR19041932N/A-
Minneapolis, Red Lake and Manitoba RailwayMRLM19041938N/A-
Minneapolis, Rochester and Dubuque Traction CompanyCP1907Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester and Dubuque Electric Traction Company-
Minneapolis and St. Cloud RailroadGN18561889Eastern Railway of Minnesota, Great Northern Railway, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railway-
Minneapolis and St. Croix RailwayCP18831888Minneapolis, Sault Ste. Marie and Atlantic Railway-
Minnesota, St. Croix and Wisconsin RailroadCP18841888Wisconsin Central Company-
Minneapolis and St. Louis RailroadMSTL18941944Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway-
Minneapolis and St. Louis RailwayMSTLMSTL19391960Chicago and North Western Railway-
Minneapolis and St. Louis RailwayMSTL18701894Minneapolis and St. Louis Railroad-
Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester and Dubuque Electric Traction CompanyCP19071918Minneapolis, Northfield and Southern Railway-
Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie RailroadSOO19441961Soo Line Railroad-
Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie RailwaySOOCP18881944Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railroad-
Minneapolis and St. Paul Terminal RailwayRI19031904Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway-
Minneapolis, Sault Ste. Marie and Atlantic RailwayCP18861888Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railway-
Minneapolis Union RailwayGN18811907Great Northern Railway-
Minneapolis Western RailwayGN18841928Great Northern Railway-
Minnesota Belt Line Railway and Transfer CompanyCB&Q/ CGW/ CNW/ CP/ GN/ MILW/ MSTL/ NP/ RI18871898Minnesota Transfer Railway-
Minnesota and Black Hills RailroadCNW18791879St. Paul and Sioux City Railroad-
Minnesota Central RailroadMCTA19942000Minnesota Prairie Line, Inc.-
Minnesota Central RailroadCGW18571883Wisconsin, Minnesota and Pacific Railway-
Minnesota Central RailwayMILW18641870McGregor Western Railway, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway-
Minnesota and Dakota Northern RailroadGN18791883St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railway-
Minnesota and Great Northern RailwayGN19041907Great Northern Railway-
Minnesota and International RailwayMINP19001941Northern Pacific Railway-
Minnesota and Iowa RailwayCNW18981900Chicago and North Western Railway-
Minnesota and Manitoba RailroadCN1899-
Minnesota Midland RailwayMILW18761883Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway-
Minnesota and North Wisconsin Railroad18981912N/A-
Minnesota Northern RailroadNP18781881Northern Pacific, Fergus and Black Hills Railroad-
Minnesota and Northwestern RailroadCGW18541887Chicago, St. Paul and Kansas City Railway-
Minnesota and Northwestern RailroadMILW18571872Central Railroad of Minnesota-
Minnesota Northwestern Electric Railway19131940N/A-
Minnesota and Ontario Bridge CompanyCN1899-
Minnesota and Pacific RailroadGN, MILW, NP18571860St. Paul and Pacific Railroad-
Minnesota Short Lines CompanyMSLC-
Minnesota and South Dakota RailwayCNW18991900Winona and St. Peter Railroad-
Minnesota Transfer RailwayMTFRCB&Q/ CGW/ CNW/ CP/ GN/ MILW/ MSTL/ NP/ RI18831987Minnesota Commercial Railway-
Minnesota Valley RailroadCNW18641870St. Paul and Sioux City Railroad-
Minnesota Valley RailwayCNW18761881Winona and St. Peter Railroad-
Minnesota Western RailroadMSTL19241932Minnesota Western Railway-
Minnesota Western RailroadMSTL18531870Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway-
Minnesota Western RailwayMWMSTL19321959Minneapolis Industrial Railway-
Minnesota Western RailwayCNW19011902Chicago and North Western Railway-
Mississippi, Hill City and Western RailwayMH&W19081915Hill City Railway-
MNVA RailroadMNVA19841994Minnesota Central Railroad-
Moorhead and South Eastern RailwayGN18841891St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railway-
Nebraska and Lake Superior RailroadNP18571861Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad-
Nobles Rock RailroadNRR19942000Minnesota Southern Railway-
Northern Pacific RailroadNP18641896Northern Pacific Railway-
Northern Pacific RailwayNPNP18961970Burlington Northern Inc.-
Northern Pacific, Fergus and Black Hills RailroadNP18811898Northern Pacific Railway-
Northwestern Coal RailwayGN18941899Superior Belt Line and Terminal Railway-
Park Rapids and Leech Lake RailwayGN18971907Great Northern Railway-
Plainview RailroadCNW18771881Winona and St. Peter Railroad-
Port Arthur, Duluth and Western RailwayCN18921915N/A-
Railway Transfer Company of the City of MinneapolisMSTL18831984Chicago and North Western Transportation Company-
Red Lake Transportation Company18971904Minneapolis, Red Lake and Manitoba Railway-
Red River and Lake of the Woods RailwayGN18821883St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railway-
Red River and Manitoba RailroadGN18771879St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railway-
Red River Valley RailroadGN18751879St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railway-
Rochester and Northern Minnesota RailwayCNW18771881Winona and St. Peter Railroad-
Root River Valley and Southern Minnesota RailroadMILW18551857Southern Minnesota Railroad-
St. Cloud and Lake Traverse RailwayGN18801880St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railway-
St. Cloud, Mankato and Austin RailroadGN18651886St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railway-
St. Croix Railway and Improvement CompanyCNW18721873St. Paul, Stillwater and Taylors Falls Railroad-
St. Paul Bridge and Terminal RailwaySPBCGW1908-
St. Paul and Chicago RailwayMILW18671872Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway-
St. Paul and Dakota RailroadCNW18761878Worthington and Sioux Falls Railroad-
St. Paul and Duluth RailroadNP18771900Northern Pacific Railway-
St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba RailwayGN18791907Great Northern Railway-
St. Paul and Northern Pacific RailwayNP18831896Northern Pacific Railway-
St. Paul and Pacific RailroadGN, MILW, NP18621879St. Paul and Chicago Railway, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railway, Western Railroad of Minnesota-
St. Paul and St. Croix RailroadCP18841884Minnesota, St. Croix and Wisconsin Railroad-
St. Paul and St. Croix Falls RailwayCP18851888Minnesota, St. Croix and Wisconsin Railroad-
St. Paul and Sioux City RailroadCNW18701881Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway-
St. Paul, Stillwater and Taylors Falls RailroadCNW18691880St. Paul and Sioux City Railroad-
St. Paul Terminal and Transfer CompanyRI19021903Minneapolis and St. Paul Terminal Railway-
St. Paul Union Depot CompanySPUDCB&Q/ CGW/ CNW/ CP/ GN/ MILW/ MSTL/ NP/ RI1879-
Sauk Center Northern RailwayGN18811883St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railway-
Sioux City and St. Paul RailroadCNW18661879St. Paul and Sioux City Railroad-
South St. Paul Belt RailroadRI18891903Minneapolis and St. Paul Terminal Railway-
Southern Minnesota RailroadMILW18571877Minnesota Valley Railroad, Southern Minnesota Railway-
Southern Minnesota RailwayMILW18771880Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway-
Southern Minnesota Railway Extension CompanyMILW18781880Southern Minnesota Railway-
Spirit Lake Transfer Railway19071937Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway-
Stillwater and Hastings RailwayMILW18801882Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway-
Stillwater and St. Paul RailroadNP18671899St. Paul and Duluth Railroad-
Stillwater Street Railway and Transfer CompanyNP18781881Union Depot, Street Railway and Transfer Company of Stillwater-
Stillwater Union Depot and Transfer CompanyNP18881896Union Depot and Transfer Company of Stillwater-
Superior Belt Line and Terminal RailwayGN18991900Eastern Railway of Minnesota-
Superior Belt Line and Terminal RailwayGN18911894Northwestern Coal Railway-
Superior Short Line RailwayCNW18851895Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway-
Superior Terminal and Belt Line RailwayGN18901891Superior Belt Line and Terminal Railway-
Taylors Falls and Lake Superior RailroadNP18751898St. Paul and Duluth Railroad-
Transit RailroadCNW18551860Winona and St. Peter Railroad-
Union Depot, Street Railway and Transfer Company of StillwaterNP18811888Stillwater Union Depot and Transfer Company-
Union Depot and Transfer Company of StillwaterNP18961902Northern Pacific Railway-
Wadena and Park Rapids RailroadGN18831891St. Paul, Minneapolis and Manitoba Railway-
Watonwan Valley RailwayCNW18991899Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway-
Western Railroad of MinnesotaNP18741883St. Paul and Northern Pacific Railway-
Willmar and Sioux Falls RailwayGN18861907Great Northern Railway-
Winona Bridge RailwayCB&Q18901985N/A-
Winona and La Crosse RailroadCGW18561872Winona and Southwestern Railway-
Winona, Mankato and New Ulm RailwayCNW18701880Winona and St. Peter Railroad-
Winona and St. Peter RailroadCNW18621900Chicago and North Western Railway-
Winona and Southwestern RailwayCGW18721894Winona and Western Railway-
Winona and Western RailwayCGW18941901Wisconsin, Minnesota and Pacific Railroad-
Wisconsin Central CompanyCP18881899Wisconsin Central Railway-
Wisconsin Central RailroadCP19541961Soo Line Railroad-
Wisconsin Central RailwayCP18971954Wisconsin Central Railroad-
Wisconsin, Minnesota and Pacific RailroadCGW18941920Chicago Great Western Railroad-
Wisconsin, Minnesota and Pacific RailwayCGW18831894Wisconsin, Minnesota and Pacific Railroad-
Worthington and Sioux Falls RailroadCNW18781879St. Paul and Sioux City Railroad-

;Electric
;Private