Minnesotans say they will miss the ‘stress-free’ Northstar as train takes its last ride

Nova Norholm rides a train every few months.

The 11-year-old from Andover is a train aficionado, and when he heard the Northstar rail line was running its last ride on Sunday, Jan. 4, he knew he had to be a part of it.

So, his aunt Tammy Litzenberg drove Nova to Anoka and caught the final Northstar. After all, it is his favorite train.

“I like the colors,” he said of the train. “I like the way they transport people.”

Nova and his aunt joined dozens of Vikings and Packers fans on the last Northstar from Big Lake to the Target Field Station in Minneapolis.

The Metropolitan Council voted last August to end the 40-mile commuter rail line service after years of sparse ridership. Express buses are replacing the service for riders in Big Lake and Elk River.

The train rolled in early on Sunday’s last ride into Minneapolis, docking before 11 a.m.

“The best one is the Northstar,” Nova said.

The line is commonly used on Sundays, since it ends just below a Metro station with service directly to U.S. Bank Stadium. When Luke Masica scores tickets to the Vikings, he and his friends often rode the Northstar from Elk River or Anoka.

He said he had used the train a few times a year since it opened in November 2009 and will miss the service.

“I feel bad about it, I think it could still make it,” Masica said. “It’s stress free and much easier than driving.”

The rail line has struggled to attract riders since its opening and was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic when ridership dropped by more than 90%.

Jill Willi also took Sunday’s train from Anoka — for only the third time — with her family. Her first ride was in 2016, she recalled, when she climbed aboard with her 2-year-old grandson for a trip to the Mall of America in Bloomington.

Willi said the ride was a great way to begin a Vikings game.

“I always remark on how smooth the ride is and how friendly the people are,” she said. “It’s a good community.”

Neither Willi nor Masica said they like to drive into Minneapolis, with its lack of inexpensive parking options. Willi said her main options now will be Uber or Lyft, both of which can get expensive.

Masica said he’ll probably drive into town from now on. While he’s not excited about the prospect of the 30-minute journey, he said Vikings games are something he doesn’t want to miss.