Welcome to the Internet presence of the Pig's Eye and Red Rock Railroad!
By following the buttons along the left side of each page, you'll find lots of information about this model railroad. We'll brief you on the imagined history, discuss you how it's operated, show you a map and some photographs. And of course give thanks to the folks that helped make it all possible.
My wife Donna and I hope you enjoy your visit to the Pig's Eye and Red Rock, be it here online, in person, or hopefully both. Come on along, and always remember: Pigs don't fly, they ride the train!
Bruce Stafford,
Superintendent
The Pig's Eye and Red Rock is a modern day Class Two railroad located on the east side of Saint Paul, Minnesota. (Saint Paul was once known as Pig's Eye, after famed bootlegger Pig's Eye Parrant.) It runs to the city of Red Rock, a mythical place taking the place of current Newport and Woodbury, Minnesota. Both of these cities were named Red Rock at one time.
The Pig's Eye and Red Rock provides transfer and switching operations along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Canadian Pacific Railway tracks east and west from Hastings, Minnesota, to Saint Paul, Minnesota, stopping at Cottage Grove, Saint Paul Park, Red Rock, and Newport, Minnesota, along the way. The Pig's Eye and Red Rock has bought out the Minnesota Commercial Railroad, renaming it the Pig's Eye Transfer Company. It handles the operation from Saint Anthony (Minneapolis) to Midway (Saint Paul), and the transfers to the Canadian Pacific Railroad's Saint Paul yard and the Pig's Eye and Red Rock Red Rock yards. Amtrak is also seen twice the day, along with I&M Rail Link, which is now owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Metro Transit, the local bus and light rail operator, provides commuter service, the Red Rock Commuter line from Hastings, Minnesota, to the Saint Paul Union Depot in Saint Paul. The Red Rock Commuter is part of the Northstar line from Hastings, Minnesota, to Saint Cloud, Minnesota.
You'll also see the Twin Cities and Western and Union Pacific along with all those mentioned above. A railfan's paradise!
Operation:
| Division or Location: | Saint Paul, Minnesota |
| Interchange Railroads: | Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Canadian Pacific Railway, Union Pacific, Twin Cities & Western |
| Size of Railroad: | 1500 square feet |
| Scale: | HO |
| Era: | 2000s |
| Control System: | Digitrax |
| Scale Clock Speed: | 4:1 |
| Length of Session: | 3.5 hours |
| Number of Crew: | 16 |
| Train Control: | Timetable |
| Are Radios Required: | Yes |
| Listed Jobs: | Dispatcher, Red Rock yardmaster, Canadian Pacific Railway; |
| Accessibility: | Stairs, duckunder |
There are two yards on the layout: Saint Paul (Canadian Pacific Railway) and Red Rock (Pig's Eye & Red Rock). There are three staging areas: Valley Park (Union Pacific)/Shakopee (Canadian Pacific Railway), Lower East and Upper West.
While it LOOKS daunting, it's actually easy to enter and leave the staging areas. When arriving, enter clockwise using the left branch of tracks. Make sure the crossover is set, as well as your track alignment. Use the black box to set your switches. Throw the silver toggle up, and punch the red or black number button as needed. Then just check your switches and head in. Questions? Ask the staging operator, known as "The Hole". As for Valley Park/Shakopee, there are instructions at the approach to let you know what to do.
Grades
When descending, maintain a speed of 20 MPH or less - gravity effects everything, full size or 1/87.
When ascending, check your train and keep it in sight as much as possible. Breakaways lead to runaways, possibly (good) crashes, and probably damaged equipment.
THE CREW
Superintendent Bruce R. StaffordChief Financial Officer
R. H. "Dick" Stafford
(It's His Railroad Too!)
Construction Engineer
Mike Pazderski
Chief Designer
Gary Freseman
Electrical Engineer, Waybills and Car Cards
John Thomas
Workmen and Spiritual Guidance
John O'Brien
Arlen Tietel
Without these people, and many others who have shared their ideas and time, the Pigs Eye and Red Rock Railroad would not be a reality today,
THANK YOU!