This line, which came within about a dozen miles west of the Twin Cities, was originally part of Great Northern. In later years, the BN sold it off to Dakota Rail. In 2001 or 2002, the line was again sold to a joint venture set up by Hennepin, Carver, and McLeod Counties.
No trains have operated since the 1990s, and the joint venture was not successful in locating a new operator for the line. The route was formally abandoned in early 2004, and could be replaced by a rail trail. The line served Wayzata (Hutchinson Jct.), Mound, St. Bonifacius, New Germany, Lester Prairie, Silver Lake and Hutchinson.
Recent information courtesy of The Herald-Journal Newspaper.
