A new layout added this year for Minn-Rail in 2011 is the Minneapolis & North Bay. The upper level of the railroad models the BNSF (old GN) line between Minneapolis and Duluth, Minnesota with a car-ferry operation out of Duluth to Port Arthur, Ontario. A CP line runs on a separate lower level between Fort William and North Bay, Ontario. The Falconbridge Nickel Smelter in Sudbury is switched by trains on this line. The car ferry operation serves as the interchange between the two levels.

The period modeled on the upper level is the mid-1990s just as the BN had merged with the Santa Fe and the Union Pacific had taken over the Chicago & Northwestern.    There are many colorful paint schemes due to the mergers and because at that time the UP, CN, CP & Amtrak all operated on the BNSF line to Duluth under trackage rights. The CP railroad on the lower level is set in 1960 – sort of a time warp!

Operation on upper level consists of an Amtrak Passenger Train, a double stack train, several freight trains and four local / transfer Freights, plus extras (unit coal train, grain train, ore train and work train).  On the lower level, several freights / locals plus a passenger train are run.  Almost every train does some work en-route, including the passenger train.

From the old C&NW yard at East Minneapolis, trains run through Minneapolis and five towns on the way to Duluth on the upper level.  There are numerous meets required on the single track line.  The line on the lower level is similarily single tracked from Ft. William to North Bay running thru several towns including Port Arthur where the car ferry operation that connects with the BNSF in Duluth, Minn is based.  There are over 300 car spots at industries and the commonly used car card and waybill system is used.

The entire layout has basic scenery and all structures are in place. Crew lounge and refreshment area are in the layout room. A restroom is at the top of the stairs.

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