Rail

32 photos · 2008–2025

32 photographs tagged Rail, 2008–2025.

A "24th PED XING" street sign stands on a Metro Transit rail pole with Minneapolis skyline in the background. — A "24th PED XING" sign is positioned alongside the Metro Transit light rail tracks in South Minneapolis, with the city's downtown buildings silhouetted against the horizon.

Two JR East Shinkansen ticket vending machines with multilingual touchscreens at Shinbashi Station, Tokyo. — Shinbashi Station's ticket area includes reserved-seat vending machines operated by JR East, used for Shinkansen and other limited express services. These touchscreen machines issue reserved and non-reserved tickets, boarding passes, and commuter passes, and accept major credit cards alongside Suica and other IC cards. Shinbashi sits on the Tokaido Main Line and serves as a stop for trains connecting Tokyo Station to destinations across central and western Japan. The station also connects to the Yurikamome and Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, making it a transfer point between local and long-distance rail networks.

Railroad tracks extend through autumn forest alongside a river in Hibbing, Minnesota's Iron Range. — Hibbing sits atop one of the richest iron ore deposits in the Mesabi Range, and rail lines like this one have long served the mining industry that built the town. The Hibbing Taconite Company operates nearby, processing taconite pellets for shipment to steel mills around the Great Lakes. Much of Hibbing itself was relocated in the 1920s to allow mining to expand beneath the original townsite. The surrounding wetlands and second-growth forest reflect decades of land reclamation following open-pit mining in the region.

China Shipping containers in a Minneapolis rail yard — Shipping containers in a Minneapolis rail yard near the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.

Stacked shipping containers in a Minneapolis rail yard near the University of Minnesota. — Stacked shipping containers fill a rail yard near the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. The containers, marked with various shipping company names, are used for intermodal freight transportation, moving cargo between rail, truck, and maritime networks. The facility serves as a transfer point in the regional logistics system.

Empty platform at Target Field Station, a Minneapolis METRO light rail stop in the North Loop neighborhood. — Target Field Station sits in the North Loop neighborhood of downtown Minneapolis, serving as a stop on the METRO Blue and Green light rail lines. The station connects riders to Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins, and links the North Loop to downtown Minneapolis and the broader METRO system.

Illuminated drumhead signs for historic trains like the Abraham Lincoln and 20th Century Limited at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin. — A collection of illuminated drumhead signs from various historic American passenger trains is displayed at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin. These signs, once mounted on the observation cars of luxury and express trains, served as both branding and navigational aids. Featured are signs for notable routes such as the New York Central's "20th Century Limited," the Pennsylvania Railroad's "Broadway Limited," and the Alton Railroad's "Abraham Lincoln" and "Blue Bird," which connected Chicago and St. Louis.

Burlington Railway Post Office Car at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin. — This Burlington Railway Post Office Car, preserved at the National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin, represents a vital piece of American postal history. These specialized railcars were essential for the efficient sorting and transportation of mail across the country during the late 19th and 20th centuries. Mail clerks would sort letters and packages en route, significantly speeding up delivery times compared to traditional methods. The "United States Mail Railway Post Office" lettering clearly indicates its former function. The car's presence at the museum highlights the critical role railroads played in connecting communities and facilitating commerce through the postal service.

British Railways Logo on Train at Green Bay Railroad Museum

Stacked concrete railroad crossing panels with metal reinforcement stored outdoors in Minneapolis. — Precast concrete panels like these form the running surface of a railroad grade crossing, fitting between and alongside the rails so vehicles can pass over the tracks without damaging their tires or suspensions. Markings chalked on the edges typically note load ratings, panel width, and sequence numbers so crews install each section in the correct order and orientation.

Arcola High Bridge near Stillwater — Located near Stillwater, the Soo Line High Bridge was built in 1910 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Arcola High Bridge spanning forested valley with graffiti-covered steel structure and railing. — The Arcola High Bridge carries rail traffic across the St. Croix River near Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota. Built in 1911 by the Wisconsin Central Railway, the steel trestle rises about 185 feet above the river and runs roughly 2,682 feet across the valley. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 for its engineering significance. The line later passed to the Soo Line Railroad and remains part of the Canadian National Railway network today.

Queensboro Plaza elevated train station platform with steel trusswork, tracks, and Manhattan skyline visible beyond. — Queensboro Plaza elevated train station in Long Island City, Queens, New York City. The station features multiple tracks and platforms, with the distinctive green and steel structure of the elevated railway overhead. This station is a key transit hub, serving as a transfer point for the 7 train and formerly for the Long Island Rail Road. Its construction and ongoing operation are integral to the connectivity of Queens with Manhattan and the rest of the city's transit network.

Rail yard with illuminated tracks beneath a highway overpass at sunset in Minneapolis, Minnesota. — This rail yard sits along Minnesota Highway 280, a short freeway connecting Interstate 94 to Interstate 35W between St. Paul and Minneapolis. The tracks below a switching area for freight traffic moving through the Twin Cities, with intermodal containers stored trackside for transfer between rail and truck.

Cramer Tunnel entrance in Cramer, Minnesota, beneath a starry night sky. — Cramer Tunnel in Cramer, Minnesota, was an industrial railroad tunnel that operated from 1957 to 2001. It connected the LTV Steel taconite plant in Hoyt Lakes with the ore dock at Taconite Harbor.

Abandoned railroad bridge on Nicollet Island crosses the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. — The abandoned railroad bridge on Nicollet Island in Minneapolis crosses the Mississippi River on a former freight spur. Built to connect industrial facilities near the river, it now stands as a remnant of the city’s rail and milling era.

Workers install new rail tracks for the Metro Transit Green Line Extension in St. Louis Park. — Crews working the Southwest LRT line in St. Louis Park use a rail loader car, a flatbed-mounted machine that threads long steel rails off a train and positions them along the roadbed for installation. The Southwest LRT, known operationally as the Green Line Extension, is a Metropolitan Council project extending light rail service roughly 14.5 miles from Minneapolis through St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie. The line runs largely along former freight corridors, requiring extensive new track construction rather than simple conversion of existing rail. Rail-loading equipment like this allows crews to deliver continuous welded rail sections directly to the grade, reducing the need for separate hauling and placement steps during construction.

London Paddington Station platforms with Great Western Railway trains in London. — London Paddington Station in London shows Great Western Railway trains on the station’s high-level platforms. The station, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and opened in 1854, is the London terminus for services to the West Country, Wales, and the Thames Valley.

BNSF Railway locomotive number 8005 passes Harrison Street crossing in Northeast Minneapolis at sunset. — A BNSF Railway locomotive passes the Harrison Street crossing in Northeast Minneapolis. The crossing is part of the rail corridor that runs through the neighborhood near the Mississippi River.

Freight rail sidings in Mason City, Iowa, between hopper cars and boxcars. — Freight rail sidings in Mason City, Iowa, run between lines of hopper cars and boxcars used for bulk cargo transport. The tracks lie in the city’s industrial rail corridor, where freight rail supports grain and material shipments.

Freight cars on rail tracks in Mason City, Iowa. — Freight cars stand on rail tracks in Mason City, Iowa. The rail yard sits on the city’s industrial edge and connects local freight traffic to regional agricultural and manufacturing shipments.

Rail bridge over the Fox River near Green Bay, Wisconsin — A rail bridge over the Fox River in Allouez, Wisconsin.

Northern Pacific BNSF Rail Bridge crosses the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. — Northern Pacific BNSF Rail Bridge spans the Mississippi River in Minneapolis between downtown and Northeast Minneapolis. Originally built in 1884 for the Northern Pacific Railway, it provided rail access to yards north of downtown. The bridge has been altered and repaired over time and remains part of BNSF Railway operations in the city.

Target Field Northttar Train Station in Minneapolis — Target Field Station and Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota, are shown at night. The station serves as a transit hub for the Northstar Line and Metro Transit, connecting commuters and fans to downtown Minneapolis. Target Field, opened in 2010, is the home ballpark of the Minnesota Twins baseball team and is located in the city's North Loop neighborhood.

Faded "Diamond Iron Works, Inc." foundry signage on a brick building beside railroad tracks in North Minneapolis. — Diamond Iron Works, Inc. operated as a foundry in North Minneapolis, producing iron castings for the region's railroad and manufacturing trades. The faded lettering on the building's brick exterior still reads "Diamond Iron Works, Inc." and "Foundry," remnants of painted signage common to early 20th-century industrial buildings. The site sits near active railroad tracks, reflecting the historic ties between Minneapolis foundries and rail-based shipping and supply lines.

General Mills Grain Elevator and Rail Yard in Northeast Minneapolis, a key industrial facility for grain storage and transportation connecting to national markets. — The General Mills Grain Elevator and Rail Yard in Northeast Minneapolis is a critical component of the region's agricultural and industrial infrastructure. This facility, designed for the storage and transportation of grain, plays a vital role in the food processing industry, particularly for a company with deep roots in Minneapolis's milling history. The extensive rail yard adjacent to the elevators facilitates the efficient movement of commodities, connecting local production to national and international markets. Its presence underscores the historical importance of grain processing and transportation to the economic development of Minneapolis.

Multiple freight trains lined up in parallel tracks at Northtown Yard rail facility in North Minneapolis. — Northtown Yard, a major rail freight hub in North Minneapolis, is seen here with numerous freight cars.

Weathered sign for Westminster Junction, a historic St. Paul, Minnesota rail yard significant to regional transportation and industry. — A weathered sign marks Westminster Junction in St. Paul, Minnesota, a historic rail yard that played a significant role in the region's transportation and industrial development. The junction served as a critical hub for freight and passenger services, connecting various parts of the city and beyond. Its infrastructure, including the rail lines and supporting structures, facilitated the movement of goods and people, contributing to St. Paul's growth as a major economic center. The sign itself, with its bold lettering, stands as a testament to the area's past as a vital component of the American railway system.

Alstom railway switch machine with power and hand throw levers, essential for directing train traffic and ensuring safe railway operations. — This image shows an Alstom railway switch machine, a critical piece of infrastructure for directing train traffic. The machine features both power-operated and manual hand-throw levers, indicating its dual functionality for flexibility and backup in controlling the direction of train tracks. Such devices are essential for the safe and efficient operation of any railway network, allowing for the precise routing of trains and preventing collisions. Alstom, a global leader in mobility solutions, has been a significant manufacturer of railway equipment for decades, contributing to the modernization and expansion of rail systems worldwide.

Vestas wind turbine tower sections are stored in rows at a rail yard near Ashland Avenue. — Vestas wind turbine tower sections are stored in a rail yard near Ashland Avenue. The cylindrical tower components are capped and arranged in rows for shipment by freight rail. The staging area supports transport of oversized wind energy equipment to project sites.

Vestas wind turbine blades are staged at a rail yard in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, awaiting transport to a wind farm. — Rows of Vestas wind turbine blades are staged at a rail yard in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, awaiting transport to a wind farm. These large components are essential for generating renewable energy and represent a significant investment in sustainable power infrastructure. The rail yard serves as a critical logistical hub, facilitating the movement of these oversized materials from manufacturing facilities to their final installation sites. The presence of these blades underscores the growth of wind energy as a major contributor to the nation's power grid.

Vestas wind turbine components staged in a rail yard in Fond du Lac County, WI, awaiting transport to wind farm sites. — Rows of Vestas wind turbine components are staged in a rail yard in Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin. These large sections, including nacelles and tower segments, are awaiting transport to wind farm construction sites. The rail yard serves as a critical logistical hub for the distribution of renewable energy infrastructure. The components are manufactured by Vestas, a global leader in wind energy solutions, underscoring the region's role in the expansion of wind power generation.

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