Loads of fresh pellets steam towards Two Harbors as empties head back to Minntac for more. A couple bad order set-outs and some empty hoppers make Biwabik Yard look like the hub it once was.
Another 120 loads of taconite pellets head down the hill from Minntac, visible in the upper right, bound for the dock at Two Harbors, MN
Loaded ore train catches the last rays of light as it departs the massive U.S. Steel plant (in the distance). The train has new CN ore cars, which have proved troublesome during cold weather opera... (more)
The temp is still below zero as three ex-IC SD40-3s power a loaded taconite train from Minntac to Two Harbors with a cut of new CN ore cars.
Steaming iron ore pellets travel along the Missabe Subdivision in the new CN/DMIR ore cars. The new cars arrived in late summer of 2009 to replace the aging fleet of Missabe/DM&IR cars
Illinois Central 6263 and DM&IR 403 lead 120 steaming loads of iron ore pellets down the hill from the U.S. Steel Minntac plant, part of which can be seen in the distance.
Loaded ore train begins the decent into Two Harbors.
Loaded ore train for the Port of Two Harbors slows for the automatic track scales at Highland.
Ore loads head for Two Harbors on a perfect fall day in NE Minnesota.
Ore loads ease down the 3.0% grade into the Lake Superior port city of Two Harbors.
Ore loads southbound for Two Harbors after weighing at Highland.
