Mankato Subdivision
The Mankato Subdivision or Mankato Sub is a railway line operated by the Union Pacific Railroad. It runs generally southwest, starting at Chestnut Street in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where it crosses the Mississippi River, then runs south along the Mississippi and then the Minnesota River to Mankato, where it turns away from the river and continues west to St. James. From there Union Pacific's rails continue southwest toward Sioux City, Iowa, as the railroad's Worthington Subdivision.
The rail line interchanges with the Canadian Pacific Railway's Merriam Park Subdivision at Chestnut Street in the north, and with CP subsidiary Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad in Mankato. The Union Pacific Montgomery Subdivision and the defunct Chaska Industrial Lead begin at a point named Merriam between Jordan and Carver.
This was formerly Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway trackage which became part of the Chicago and North Western Railway until Union Pacific acquired the C&NW.
The line is primarily dispatched via track warrant control, but also has automatic block signaling from the junction at Merriam to Mankato. North of Chestnut Street and farther into the Merriam Park Subdivision, trains use centralized traffic control. The general speed limit for freight trains on the line is, though many segments are restricted to lower speeds. There is no passenger service on the line, though any passenger excursions or business trains may operate up to 10 mph faster.
