Passengers detrain the final Northstar commuter train of the day at the Elk River MN station platform on a 20 degree clear night at 10:43pm.

A late afternoon test train rolls west days before the official start of service.

Demonstration run two days prior to beginning of revenue operations.

The final outbound Northstar Commuter train for the evening streaks across the Mississippi River Bridge just moments after departing Downtown Minneapolis Target Field Stadium.

A Northstar commuter train passes under the new cantilever signals in downtown Elk River MN

With a month and a half before the start up date on 11/16/09, a Northstar commuter test train operates between Big Lake and Coon Creek.

MNRX 505 shoves an eastbound train into downtown Minneapolis over the Mississippi River, as part of Northstar commuter train testing.

MNRX 504 leads a westbound commuter train out of the station in Minneapolis. Work continues on new signal and track installations in the area, as another test train dwells in the station. Service ... (more)

A Northstar commuter test train on Main 2 heads back to their facility in Big Lake.

Northstar commuter test train shoves east on Main 2 with a sticking brake evident by the blue smoke between the second and third cars.

While waiting for SP 4449 that got held up by a freight train issue west in Becker, I ran across MNRX 502 outside for some testing at Big Lake. I was hoping to get a nice meet shot with a new and... (more)

First good look at the new Northstar (Metro Transit) commuter cars built by Bombardier. These cars are the first two to be delivered to the Twin Cities. Sharp!

Northstar MP36 501 sits at Eola Yard, This photo is featured in Railfan and Railroad and on Northstar's website.

Three brand new Northstar Commuter Rail MP36PH-3Cs sit in the sun at East Minneapolis yard after delivery. Northstar plans to begin operations in late 2009 on 40 miles of track between Big Lake a... (more)