A train of iron ore pellets from Minntac enters Proctor yard as a switch job shuffles cars on a nearby track.

Steaming pellets out of the MinnTac plant roll down the hill under Hwy 169 .

With Two Harbors experiencing a severe power shortage, the 40 year old DMIR 405 and another unit were grabbed out of Keenan and now lead this dry ice, er taconite, train out of Minntac for Couple ... (more)

Empties north!

Leaving Proctor with empties for Fairlane at perhaps the nicest part of the day.

New DM&IR cars contrast with the shuttered depot at Saginaw.

In beautiful morning light, I finally crossed this shot off my list, twice! Not only did it have 3 consecutively numbered tunnel motors, it had the last maroon tunnel motor left. The North Shore S... (more)

DM&IR 405 leads a loaded ore train slowly past fatally damaged sister 401 (with blue tarp) and 5 equally scrap-worthy IC SD40-3s. A contractor will scrap all 6 units involved in the September 30 h... (more)

DM&IR 405 arrives back in Two Harbors with an ore train.

Pacing 405 leading empties to T-bird. I imagine this is easier with someone else driving. Thanks to RP member Kevin Madsen for tipping me on northbound moves.

The beauty of this location can only really be seen in person, but this wider shot shows the river banks of the St. Louis River. If one is adventurous there is ample room to camp and fish, all wh... (more)

DMIR 405,403 are southbound near Zim with loads from the Fairlane plant headed to Proctor. The clean power was typical for the DMIR into the 90's.

Proctor Road Switch kicking up snow as they pull 60 loads up the grade. The IC 6262 dropped its load about 3 minutes later, then the B&LE followed suit and the two units alternated turns losing am... (more)

Rolling south towards Two Harbors with 136 cars of Minntac pellets.

Steam from freshly baked taconite pellets has coated the frames on these ore cars as this Minntac train heads towards Proctor in -21F weather.