long stone arch bridge, Minneapolis

Nearly a century ago the legendary Empire Builder train first hit the tracks. It was the pride of BNSF predecessor Great Northern Railway’s passenger fleet and was named after none other than James J. Hill, whose nickname was “The Empire Builder."

It’s fitting that the Empire Builder is pictured here on the Stone Arch Bridge – today, November 22, marks the 141st anniversary of the bridge becoming operational. The bridge, a 2,176-foot-long [663 meters] structure located in Minneapolis, is the second oldest bridge to span the Mississippi River. Built under Hill’s leadership, the bridge is the only structure Hill allowed to be inscribed with his name. Today, the bridge is a walking and bicycling path.

(from BNSF)