my guess is that it was used as a signalboard for the depot once

strange. i wonder why they didn't just mount the whole thing so the mask board was perpendicular to the track. i don't think i've ever seen this done this way before.

Looks like one of the old signals they used on the Northwestern. Where is this?

Fergus Falls, MN.

46.28483,-96.07338

Now, does the Builder run through there?

Nope, only unnamed* passenger trains went through here when it was GN.

*Train Nos. 301-302: Fergus Falls-Pelican Rapids local


1956, 10 April: G. N. Petitions To Discontinue Pelican Train

St. Paul — Road Says Service Operated At A Loss On 22-Mile Route

The Railroad and Warehouse Commission has a hearing May 18 at Fergus Falls on a petition of the Great Northern Railroad to abandon daily trains between that city and Pelican Rapids.

The road said that continued service by mixed trains 301 and 302, one each way daily, constituted an unreasonable burden because of a drastic decline in passenger traffic which has brought revenue losses on the 22-mile route.

--- Fergus Falls Daily Journal



1956, 10 May: Pelican Will Fight Change

Objects To Discontinuance Of Passenger Business On Pelican Line

A notice of hearing on the Great Northern petition to discontinue passenger service on the Pelican Rapids line, and to run a freight train on a tri-weekly schedule – running from Fergus Falls to Pelican one day and back the next – appears on Page two of this issue.

The hearing is to be held in this city at 9 a. m. Friday, May 18, before the state railway and warehouse commission.

The Pelican Rapids Commercial club is preparing to make a vigorous fight against the change, and the Brotherhoods of Railway Engineers, Fireman and Conductors are also opposed to the proposal.

While there is very little passenger business on the line, it is said that if the passenger service is discontinued, the Railway Commission will lose jurisdiction, and the company could discontinue freight service if it saw fit to do so later.

--- Fergus Falls Daily Journal



1956, 18 May: Hearing Opens On Pelican Train Service

First Witness Gives Brief History Of Pelican Road A hearing on discontinuance of daily mixed train service between Fergus Falls and Pelican Rapids opened at the city hall this morning.

Oliver Ossanna, secretary of the Railroad and Warehouse commission, presided at the hearing. Protestants to the Great Northern's proposal included the village of Pelican Rapids, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Engineers, the Order of Railway Conductors and the Railroad Brotherhood.

The Great Northern proposes to replace daily train service with tri-weekly freight service. Witnesses for the railroad said present service is operated at considerable loss.

First witness was C. O. Hooker, general manager of Great Northern lines east, who said under the present operation the loss is about $50,000 a year. The annual loss under the proposed change would be about $24,000.

W. J. O'Connor, Grand Forks, division superintendent, said in the past four months passenger ticket sales have totaled $12.76.

Under cross-examination Henry Polkinghorn, attorney for Pelican Rapids, brought out the fact that Pelican Rapids will be without any public transportation if the railroad's request is granted. He said by changing the schedule one hour the present train could connect with the Red River and Western Star.

Polkinghorn also raised the question of the railroad's right to curtail service further if it is allowed to discontinue passenger service.

The Great Northern plans to run a train to Pelican one day and back the next if their request is granted. Instead of the present 220 horsepower engine a 1,000 horsepower diesel would be used.

The larger engine would do the switching in Fergus Falls, Pelican Rapids, Erhard and Elizabeth. With the change six men would be employed on the train instead of three at present. Hooker said switching service in Fergus Falls should be as good as it is now.

Polkinghorn asked Hooker if he was aware that a large turkey processing plant is being built in Pelican Rapids.

Hooker replied he had been told about it very forcefully. He added that the plant isn't being built on the railroad and that he didn't believe the turkeys would be passengers.

E. W. Clausen, representing the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen, questioned Hooker about local trains running on schedule.

"We try to run on schedule," Hooker said, "because it saves a lot of time and a half."

Hooker said the 22-mile line was built in 1882 by the Northern Pacific, Fergus Falls and Black Hills Railroad. It was sold the same year to the Minneapolis and Manitoba Railroad which became the Great Northern in 1907.

He said the road, representing an investment of about $400,000 has 41 curves and 1,000 feet of bridges. The grade is much in excess of main lines. He said the road was in fair to good condition and he believed it would accommodate the larger engine proposed for use on the line.

O'Connor said if the G. N. proposal is granted by the commission the freight will leave Fergus Falls at 7:30 p. m. and remain overnight in Pelican Rapids. It would return to Fergus Falls at 8:30 a. m. the next day.

At present the train leaves Pelican Rapids each morning at 7:30, arrives in Fergus Falls at 8:30 and leaves to return to Pelican at 11:30 a. m.

The council room at the city hall was well filled with spectators. Most of them came from Pelican Rapids and a number of them used the train.

Action by the Railroad and Warehouse commission is expected to follow in a few weeks.

--- Fergus Falls Daily Journal

Ah, I see. Not quite familiar with the lines in that area, as you might expect.