318 smokes it up as it accelerates from a standstill. Alco built 27 RS-27s, and only two are left - both on the Minnesota Commercial.

Alco only built 27 RS-27s, and only two still operate, including this one: ex-GB&W No. 318, now in service on the Minnesota Commercial. Here it is on a warm spring morning in May 2009, switching ... (more)

Unit 318 was built by Alco in 1962 as the demonstrator model for the RS-27. After stints on the C&NW, CP, and GB&W, it's now in Minnesota working for the Minnesota Commercial.

A BNSF Autorack train makes it's way past a couple of tracks of stored locomotives.

A CP transfer departs Northtown past a string of stored BNSF locomotives.

A BNSF Autorack train makes it's way through Northtown Yard.

A westbound pounds the diamond with the Minnesota Commercial at Park Junction on the St. Paul Sub.

MN&S SW1200 #31 in Minneapolis, June 1975.

A crewman walks away as SOO F7 2203A sits awaiting its next work at the roundhouse in Minneapolis, June 1975.

And boom goes the dynamite.

Driving rain falls on Northtown yard, as a lone SD40 pulls a cut of cans out for headroom. To the right sit many SD70s, laid up in good order until traffic levels improve.

An SD39/slug set prepares to roll down the slippery hump on. Downtown Minneapolis can be vaguely seen amid the thickening fog.

Santa Fe's everywhere! A pull down job is seen next to dozens of LUGO BNSF units.

An empty coal train from Portage, WI passes a string of LUGO SD75s on its way back to the coal fields. The Minneapolis skyline forms the background

Sign of the times. Although there are older, obsolete models represented in the deadlines at Northtown, SD75s have been added to the growing list of sidelined units.