Camp Ripley, MN: Military Trains

(Satellite)

This camp evidently stores equipment for the National Guard that gets shipped by train to other camps for regional training. Those trains catch the eye of railfans.

Austin Majaski posted three photos with the comment:

Got to see this little treat today on my way home. These vehicles are being moved south from camp ripely, through Little Falls Minnesota, over the Mississippi. A sight like this can be rare as this line is currently exempt. This is the old BNSF bridge. The original structure was built In the mid 1800s but replaced in 1974 due the an accident that had occurred here causing the east span of the bridge to fall into the water. The bridge that’s now at the site originally crossed the Columbia river in Washington. The bridge is and will remain an iconic part of our cities long history.

Wade Wiegert Former NP line to Brainard, cut back to Camp Ripley by BN. The other bridge, the combined hwy/rr bridge into the base, is dangerous for motorcycles with the track down the center. Your photos also caught DOD flats, I think those are even more rare than movements in and out of Ripley.
Donavan Bahls Yes, it rolled by my house in LaCrosse WI as an Eastbound Monday afternoon.
Austin Majaski Donavan Bahls Thats interesting. An article I read said the trains( 8 of them total) were headed down to fort hood Texas.

Actually, the near span is the original 1891 pin-connected Pratt truss. The far span is the 1900 era Warren truss that was brought from Washington State in 1974 to replace a damaged span.

1

2

3

This movement of equipment from Camp Ripley (MN) to Fort Hood (TX) caught the eye of several railfans.


William Brown posted five photos with the comment: "The third train of the the 34th Division's, The Red Bulls, 1st Brigade Combat Team moving from Fort Ripley, MN to Fort Hood, Texas came through Savanna, Illinois at 2 PM today. On the Aurora Sub going to the Barstow Sub. Humvees, Medium Tactical Trucks, Heavy Tactical Trucks, Command M113s and Bradley Fighting Vehicals. One month T Fort Hood for Combat Certification and all ten Trains back to Camp Ripley."
William posted again.

1

2

3

4

5

Kevin Klitzke posted three photos with the comment: "A few from Prescott, WI this morning, heading to Fort Hood."

1

2

3

BemidjiPioneer
Over 2,000 pieces of military equipment from the Minnesota National Guard is being loaded onto rail cars through July 26 for movement from Camp Ripley. Photo courtesy Camp Ripley
"Once in Texas, the exercise will include testing the collective professions of over 5,200 soldiers from the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division. Prior to that, the brigade will need to safely and efficiently execute the movement of their equipment from Minnesota....July 13-26"

Bill Vavricek posted, cropped
Military train rolling through this morning.
Jason Miller National Guard and Reserves loaded their $hit to go to annual training. Gotta have a range large enough to facilitate a M1 live fire qualification and training exercises and it isn't like finding a McDonalds!

Is this another train supporting this training exercise? I've read that an Illinois National Guard is being trained for deployment in Afghanistan.
Barry Sprofera posted two photos with the comment: "Member Lawrence Kenna spotted the military train U SDGELP in Winslow AZ east of where I saw it on 8/1 at CP Maine in Parks, AZ."
Diana Stuart That was a doosie! Looks like a vertbral column of some monster reptile! Awesome train! Super pix.

1

2

A few months later, the equipment is returning to Camp Ripley.

Stephanie Marshall posted

Military equipment heading back to Camp Ripley in Minnesota on the BNSF Staples Sub. Couldn't get a shot of the power because it was blocked by a Westbound.

Rice MN, 8/31/19

Greg Ploof posted
BNSF is making the 7 mile shove on the Camp Ripley line east side of Little Falls, Mn. 09/04/19
Greg Ploof This has been the busiest year for BNSF and the military on this line.

This train was of particular interest because I didn't realize that the military had so much construction equipment.
(new window)
On June 30, 2020 StormySky Rail Productions videographer, Stephanie Marshall, caught a BNSF Military Train leaving Camp Ripley, MN with BNSF 2354 (GP38-2), BNSF 2312 (GP38-2), and BNSF 3183 (GP25). Later, we see it passing through Little Falls, MN on it's way to Northtown Yard where the Geeps will be swapped for road power.


(source)
Mike Worcester Did you notice the mile-long siding north of town that is being built for that spur? It’ll be used to store flat cars so the equipment can be moved out even more efficiently.
Jason M Breezee Well those are switchers. They ain’t going far cause BNSF does not use them as lead locomotives ever.
[There were several comments refuting Jason's comment. BNSF has put PTC equipment on at least some of them so that they can lead locals and branch runs. By "switcher," he meant engines with a standard (narrow) cab. That cab design has been replaced by a wide or safety design. I never did read why the wider cab is considered safer. Railroads have to keep these old Geeps (rail slang for GP models) in good shape because the 2-axle trucks can negotiate tighter curves and the Geeps are lighter. Modern 4,400 hp locos have 3-axle trucks.]

Screenshot

Screenshot

Some of the equipment is a mystery to me.

Screenshot

I've noticed in general that  telehandlers are becoming more and more popular at construction sites.

Screenshot

And skidsteers have become ubiquitous at construction sites. This one still has tires. Most on the train had tracks. And the military has serious off-road trucks.

Screenshot

And of course articulated loaders with various attachments.

Screenshot