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Freight Train Blues Multi-Cache

This cache has been archived.

knowschad: It is with much sadness that I put this cache to rest. It was a real honor putting out such an awesome cache with such an awesome cacher. Such great stories from those that found it, as well.

But the truth is that the cache has been compromised yet again. There hasn't even been one find or one attempt since I last put it back together, and yet this time the final stage has been taken.

Too many cachers recently have wasted their time trying to find it when it was compromised, and I've had to make too many trips down there to fix it up.

More
Difficulty:
4 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   other (other)

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Geocache Description:

Located along the tracks of the historic Rock Island Line railroad, this cache is a very challenging two-stage multi in Inver Grove Heights. Depending on where you enter, and the seasonal conditions, the climb up to the cache could be much easier or much harder than rated.




This was the railroad line that gave name to the famous song, The Rock Island Line. It ran through here from 1895 when the nearby bridge and trestle were constructed, through sometime before 1980, when the Rock Island Line went bankrupt.
We aren't certain of the final year that it rolled across these rails, but when you see the size of some of the trees that have grown between the rails, you'll probably agree with us that it was probably several years earlier than that.

The bridge, and the rails that you are about to walk, were at least 65 years old when the engine in the photograph above (named "The Rocket") was built! For many years, the only engines that pulled the trains down the rails that you are about to walk were powered by coal powered steam engines.


Caution! Please be careful when climbing the trees near the final. Some of the branches are very weak. A fall could be very serious, as we learned the hard way while placing the cache.

Cache pencils tend to break or get lost, so bring your own, just in case.

Please do not pass hints to other cachers about this cache, in the logs or otherwise. We would prefer to be the ones to offer hints. Thank you for your cooperation.

This cache also hopes to bring awareness and public action to this historic site. At present, plans are in the works to demolish the bridge (as noted in some of the logs below). However, Dakota County and the City of Inver Grove Heights are seeking public input as to plans for converting the area into a park. One of the plans still tears the bridge down, and two other concepts involve keeping part of the west span and turning it into a park. Partners are being sought to help pay for the reconstruction and maintenance if the bridge is kept. Please follow this link for more information: Public input sought on future of bridge

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Hints gladly offered after a DNF be n oryvrinoyr guerng gb bhe jryy-orvat.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)