RCPE's Mankato to Aurora manifest heads west through New Ulm, past the old CNW depot and grain elevators.

Nearing the end of CP trackage rights, RCPE's Mankato turn heads west out of Walnut Grove towards home rails in Tracy.

RCPE's Mankato turn heads west out of Springfield towards home in Aurora, SD. The city was originally named "Burns" when the CNW extended their line to here in 1877.

Departing Mankato, RCPE's Mankato to Aurora train heads west past the riverfront. The old Mankato depot once hosted CNW passenger trains, nowadays several local businesses call it home.

RCPE'S Mankato turn heads west through the southern Minnesota Flatlands on this beautiful fall evening.

The Mankato turn heads west past the old elevator at Essig.

A pair of RCPE's finest head over the trestle on the Cottonwood River in New Ulm.

A pair of SD40-2s take the Mankato turn west out of town, back to home base in Aurora, SD. Folks were out enjoying the Halloween festivities occurring downtown, while us railfans were getting our ... (more)

A quad set of RCPE SD40-2s thunder through New Ulm on the tri-weekly Mankato, MN to Aurora, SD manifest. The train was making good time on this day, and would make it to Aurora before dark.

With the train now on their own trackage, MNAU departs Tracy in some beautiful light, with 3465 smoking up a storm. Seems like its trying to imitate the ALCOs that once dominated this line 40 year... (more)

Now on the final few miles of CP trackage, the MNAU heads out of Walnut Grove, home of "Little House on the Prairie". The trees had recently been chopped down along the ROW, giving way for a nice ... (more)

MNAU rounds the curve east of Lamberton

Several of us were out on this beautiful March afternoon to view RCPE's Mankato, MN to Aurora, SD manifest. This was my first time actually chasing the RCPE, and I'll definitely do it again!

MMNAU approaches the Land of Memories Park Junction where they are shown in spectacular light.

Departing Mankato yard with 35 cars for Aurora, SD.