Uploaded July 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
One of the classic Twin Cities railroad icons for many years was a daily train in St. Paul known as the Ford Hauler. Beginning in the Milwaukee Road days, this train was later operated by the Soo Line and Canadian Pacific, hauling automobile parts and finished vehicles to and from the St. Paul Ford Plant. The plant, which at the time was producing the Ford Ranger pickup, was shut down permanently in December 2011. This not only ended an era for Ford in the Twin Cities, but also for the CP’s Ford Hauler. In this presentation, Chris Laskowski captures the Ford Hauler on several occasions, leading up to the last days of its operation. You will see Canadian Pacific and Soo Line GP38-2s and GP40s in charge of trains climbing Short Line Hill, and passing famous landmarks such as Dayton’s Bluff, Fordson Junction, and St. Paul’s Summit Brewery. Plenty of switching action is captured at Ford Yard.
Not only will you see trackside views of “the Hauler”, but you also get a chance to view operations within the factory before and after the shutdown.
Don’t miss this tribute to one of the greatest industrial train operations in the Twin Cities! Enjoy all the historic action in Canadian Pacific’s Ford Hauler!
One of the classic Twin Cities railroad icons for many years was a daily train in St. Paul known as the Ford Hauler. Beginning in the Milwaukee Road days, this train was later operated by the Soo Line and Canadian Pacific, hauling automobile parts and finished vehicles to and from the St. Paul Ford Plant. The plant, which at the time was producing the Ford Ranger pickup, was shut down permanently in December 2011. This not only ended an era for Ford in the Twin Cities, but also for the CP’s Ford Hauler. In this presentation, Chris Laskowski captures the Ford Hauler on several occasions, leading up to the last days of its operation. You will see Canadian Pacific and Soo Line GP38-2s and GP40s in charge of trains climbing Short Line Hill, and passing famous landmarks such as Dayton’s Bluff, Fordson Junction, and St. Paul’s Summit Brewery. Plenty of switching action is captured at Ford Yard.
Not only will you see trackside views of “the Hauler”, but you also get a chance to view operations within the factory before and after the shutdown.
Don’t miss this tribute to one of the greatest industrial train operations in the Twin Cities! Enjoy all the historic action in Canadian Pacific’s Ford Hauler!
