Metadata: Rail-Lines, Minnesota

Rail Lines, Minnesota

This page last updated: 06/15/2016
Metadata created using Minnesota Geographic Metadata Guidelines


Go to Section:
1. Overview
2. Data Quality
3. Data Organization
4. Coordinate System
5. Attributes
6. Distribution - Get Data
7. Metadata Reference

Section 1 Overview
Originator Minnesota Department of Transportation, Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations (OFCVO), Freight, Railroads, and Waterways Section
Title Rail Lines, Minnesota
Abstract This dataset depicts rail lines in Minnesota. It is a planning level dataset originally developed at a scale of 1:24,000.
Purpose Due to gaps in the linework (see Logical Consistency), this data is recommended for statewide or regional scale uses, as viewing at large scales will reveal these gaps. This dataset does not contain network connectivity and is not usable for routing applications.
Time Period of Content Date 2015
Currentness Reference The original digitization for the main lines was done from 1990-1995. These lines were edited for accuracy in 2006-2007 and additional rail lines and rail spurs were created by referencing the 2003 Farm Service Agency (FSA) color orthophotography.

The dataset has been updated continuously as information has come in to the Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations, Freight, Railroads, and Waterways Section.
Progress Complete
Maintenance and Update Frequency As needed
Spatial Extent of Data Minnesota
Bounding Coordinates -97.23
-89.53
49.37
43.5
Place Keywords Minnesota, MN
Theme Keywords transportation, railroad, train, rail, railway
Theme Keyword Thesaurus ISO 19115 Topic Category
Access Constraints None
Use Constraints https://www.dot.state.mn.us/information/disclaimer.html#disclaimers
Contact Person Information David Tomporowski, Freight and Rail Planner
Minnesota Department of Transportation, Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations
395 John Ireland Blvd, Mail Stop 470
St. Paul, MN  55155
Phone: (651) 366-3694
Fax: (651) 366-3721
Email: david.tomporowski@state.mn.us
Browse Graphic Click to view a data sample.
Associated Data Sets To see other transportation related datasets, visit: https://gisdata.mn.gov/organization/us-mn-state-dot
To view other maps and data maintained by this office, visit: https://www.dot.state.mn.us/ofrw/freight/data.html

Section 2 Data Quality
Attribute Accuracy The attributes have been reviewed and are deemed to be accurate
Logical Consistency No specific integrity tests have been performed, but there are known gaps in the linework.
Completeness Entire state is covered, but linework gaps exist.
Horizontal Positional Accuracy Locational accuracy for features derived from USGS 7.5-minute quadrangles cannot be assumed to exceed National Map Accuracy Standards for 1:24,000 scale maps (+/- 40 feet or 12 meters). In addition, linework may not accurately reflect aerial imagery in some areas.
Vertical Positional Accuracy Not Applicable
Lineage Sources:
USGS 7.5-minute quadrangles
2003 Farm Service Agency (FSA) aerial photography
Minnesota Rail Grade Crossings - (RAIL_ADMIN.RAIL_POINT_HISTORY)

Process Steps:
The lines were originally digitized from the U.S. Geological Survey 1:24,000 scale topographic maps. During 1990-1995, the BaseMap data layers were digitized from USGS 7.5-minute quadrangles using MicroStation CADD. A total of 1745 quadrangles were digitized. For any given area, MnDOT used the most recent quadrangle available at that time. The digital MicroStation CADD files were converted from State Plane Coordinates to UTM and then converted into ARC/INFO coverages. The ARC/INFO files were merged into a statewide, seamless coverage and attributes were added. The coverage was later converted to an SDE Feature Class.

The measures attached to this linework were calibrated from mile points in MnDOT's "Minnesota Rail Grade Crossings" dataset. This work is done in GIS any time there is a change (adding a line, adjusting a crossing, etc.)

This data originates the MnDOT's internal data warehouse. It is used to populate the MnDOT basemap and is provided to users who request a layer of all active rail lines. The dataset has been updated when information has come in to the Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations, Freight, Railroads, and Waterways Section.

Section 3 Spatial Data Organization (not used in this metadata)

Section 4 Coordinate System
Horizontal Coordinate Scheme Universal Transverse Mercator
UTM Zone Number 15
Horizontal Datum NAD83
Horizontal Units meters

Section 5 Attributes
Overview More information about Rail Lines in Minnesota can be found here: https://www.dot.state.mn.us/aboutrail/index.html
More information about the office that maintains this dataset can be found here: https://www.dot.state.mn.us/ofrw/
Detailed Citation
Table Detail:

mn_rail lines (MnDOT)
Field NameValid ValuesDefinitionDefinition Source
OBJECTID
-
Internal feature numberESRI
Shape
-
Feature geometryESRI
RAILROAD_S
-
Unique route number fieldMnDOT
MAIN_RR_OPenumeratedThe letter code representing the name of the railroadMnDOT
Class I Railroads:
BNSFBNSFMnDOT
CNCanadian NationalMnDOT
CPCanadian PacificMnDOT
UPUnion PacificMnDOT
Class I Subsidiaries:MnDOT
CEDRCedar River RailroadMnDOT
DMEDakota, Minnesota and Eastern RailroadMnDOT
DMIRDuluth, Missabe and Iron Range RailwayMnDOT
DWPDuluth, Winnipeg and Pacific RailwayMnDOT
SOOSoo LineMnDOT
WCWisconsin CentralMnDOT
Class II Railroads:
RCPERapid City, Pierre & EasternMnDOT
Class III and Private Railroads:
CTRRCloquet TerminalMnDOT
LSMRLake Superior & MississippiMnDOT
MDWMinnesota, Dakota & WesternMnDOT
MNNMinnesota NorthernMnDOT
MNNRMinnesota CommercialMnDOT
MPLIMinnesota Prairie LineMnDOT
MSWYMinnesota SouthernMnDOT
NLRNorthern LinesMnDOT
NPRNorthern PlainsMnDOT
NMCZ Northshore MiningMnDOT
NSSRNorth Shore ScenicMnDOT
OTVROtter Tail ValleyMnDOT
PGRProgressive RailMnDOT
RRVWRed River Valley & WesternMnDOT
SCXYSt. Croix ValleyMnDOT
TCWRTwin Cities & WesternMnDOT
ZLTVLTV Steel MiningMnDOT
RR_DIVISIO
-
The name of the rail divisionMnDOT
RR_SUBDIVI
-
The name of the rail subdivisionMnDOT
RR_SECTION
-
The name of the sectionMnDOT
COMMENTS
-
a field to hold miscellaneous comments from editorsMnDOT
Shape_Length
-
Geometry field for maintaining the length of the rail lineworkESRI

<b>Class 1 Railroads and Ownership Codes</b> - This table is intended to help with map labeling by providing the subsidiary "operator" codes for each class l rail line. See mn_rail_lines attribute table above for full subsidiary operator names. (MnDOT)
Field NameValid ValuesDefinitionDefinition Source
Display Label NameenumeratedFor lines with the following as "MAIN_RR_OP" attribute, label with value in the column to the left, as the railroads below are subsidiaries of the larger railroads to the left.MnDOT
BNSFBNSFMnDOT
UP - Union PacificUPMnDOT
CP - Canadian PacificSOO, DMEMnDOT
CN - Canadian NationalCEDR, CN, DMIR, DWP, WCMnDOT


Section 6 Distribution
Publisher Minnesota Department of Transportation Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations
Publication Date 2007
Contact Person Information David Tomporowski, Freight and Rail Planner
Minnesota Department of Transportation, Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations
395 John Ireland Blvd, Mail Stop 470
St. Paul, MN  55155
Phone: (651) 366-3694
Fax: (651) 366-3721
Email: david.tomporowski@state.mn.us
Distributor's Data Set Identifier SDW_TRANS.RAIL_ROUTE_ACTIVE
Distribution Liability https://www.dot.state.mn.us/information/disclaimer.html#disclaimers
Ordering Instructions See Online Linkage.
Online Linkage I AGREE to the notice in "Distribution Liability" above. Clicking to agree will either begin the download process, link to a service, or provide more instructions. See "Ordering Instructions" above for details.

Section 7 Metadata Reference
Metadata Date 06/15/2016
Contact Person Information David Tomporowski, Freight and Rail Planner
Minnesota Department of Transportation, Office of Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations
395 John Ireland Blvd, Mail Stop 470
St. Paul, MN  55155
Phone: (651) 366-3694
Fax: (651) 366-3721
Email: david.tomporowski@state.mn.us
Metadata Standard Name Minnesota Geographic Metadata Guidelines
Metadata Standard Version 1.2
Metadata Standard Online Linkage https://www.mngeo.state.mn.us/committee/standards/mgmg/metadata.htm


This page last updated: 06/15/2016
Go back to top