09/21/2026
Northstar commuter rail once connected Big Lake and Minnesota’s northern suburbs with downtown Minneapolis, carrying thousands of commuters before ridership declined sharply after the pandemic. After more than a decade of service, Northstar was replaced by bus service in 2026.
This striking scene captures the distinctive blue-and-yellow Northstar train in Minneapolis—a powerful reminder of a commuter railroad era that has now passed. For railfans, this isn’t just a train photo—it’s a piece of history.
