Along way from Chicago-LA runs, an ex ATSF F45 now WC 6656 leads SD45's 6523,6512 along the shore of Lake Superior trundling along at 10mph on a 57 car ore load headed first east to Trout Lake, then west to Chicago to an SP connection. Due to Geneva Steel needing more pellets than they could get from Minnesota, they purchased 6 trainloads from Tilden Mine near Marquette. These trains were quite an ordeal for the WC as the ex DSS&A trackage from Marquette to Trout Lake was not really ore train friendly with its 80lbs. stick rail and pit run ballast. These trains ran with about 25 cars a trip down the steep grade from Eagle Mills to the lower yard in Marquette. after a couple of these trips a 50-60 car train would make the slow run to Trout Lake then west on WC's ex Soo Line Sault Ste. Marie-Gladstone line to normally Gilchrist,Swift or Manistque, where they would leave the first cut of cars then run light power back to Marquette for the second cut. These trains were so long getting over the road that only about one load every five days was originated. Needless to say this operation didn't last long and the Marquette line soon was back to its SDL39 powered locals.
