A break in the clouds and the sun shines on U788 northbound at Sparta, MN.

When these "new" AC44C6Ms took over in the CN ore pool, there was a plan to use them in a 1X1 fashion instead of the traditional way with all the power up front. Only trains that load on... (more)

A rolling steam bank when the conditions are right moving iron ore pellets fresh out of the furnace of the U.S. Steel Minntac plant.

A train of steaming taconite pellets pass by the CN 50936 Jordan Spreader at Sparta, MN.

Empties navigate the S-curve around a former natural ore mine pit at Sparta, MN on the CN Iron Range Sub.

Having navigated half the S-curve just north of Sparta, MN, CN 2007 will swing to the right for the second half shortly as the trip north to the mine to reload some more iron ore pellets continues... (more)

Navigating the S-curve, CN 2007 north is making the turn on what was the former DM&N, then DM&IR and now the CN Iron Range Sub passing by the grade of the former D&IR which was abandoned in 1972.

Something is coming. A train because the signal indicates so and winter because of the snow falling.

The first snow of the season falls as an empty pellet ID heads north through Sparta heading to load at U.S. Steel Minntac.

Due to congestion with train traffic ahead, CN 2116 is stopped at Sparta to wait it out before getting green signals after everything clears.

Sun filled late summer afternoon and an empty ore train heading for a load time at the mine.

Navigating the S-curve CN 2006 north is taking the turn on what was the former DM&N, then DM&IR and now the CN Iron Range Sub passing by the grade of the former D&IR which was abandoned in 1972.

Coming up from Two Harbors with a short mixed freight for Keenan yard, CN 2010 leads two units going for service, some lumber siding from the Louisiana Pacific plant, a few tank cars and some emp... (more)

After a meet, CN 2004 coming off the running track throttles up getting back to track speed heading north for a date with the west load out pocket at the U.S. Steel Minntac taconite plant.

As the clouds moved in it was a lucky break to have a sliver of full sun between late afternoon shadows and clouds taking over to catch this northbound empty train coming off the running track aft... (more)