CN ore cars are finally starting to get a thick coating of taconite dust, which takes away the sheen and imho makes them look better. This picture also shows why the Missabe used maroon!

On a beautiful fall afternoon, IC #6254 leads empties back to the mine at Minntac.

Looking a little worse for wear DMIR #405 winds its train of empties through the former DM&IR yard at Biwabik. (pronounced BYE WA BIK)

The curve does a good job of hiding the trailing CN motors, as this limestone train blasts out of Proctor headed for either Minntac or Minorca.

At first glance it appears the DM&IR #215 has been added back to the E-Lead Switch, but in an odd pairing its actually the DM&IR #403! Tunnel motors almost always draw road trains but it certainly... (more)

Nice trio of CN SD40-2W's hustle an empty Minorca or Minntac limestone train back to Proctor as they lean into the curve just south of Culver.

Nice trio of CN SD40-2W's hustle an empty Minorca or Minntac limestone train back to Proctor. Normally only Minorca receives limestone by ore jennies, but lately it appears Minntac has been as wel... (more)

No mistaking the DM&IR #215! While #211 and #212 are down for maintenance at least Proctor put a clean unit on the E-Lead...

Former GMTX #9046 looks nice and shiny as it and a sister lead the MRF north towards Keenan. Only the #5414 was running.

An overkill of power takes Minntac loads through West Wye headed for Two Harbors. Trees were flocked very nicely.

Temporary snow melt flooding allowed for this reflection of the Brainerd Local zipping west to serve the mill in Brainerd for the last time. By the time I was on my way back this was nothing more ... (more)

FIN! The last regularly scheduled movement, and possibly last of any kind over this street running in Brainerd. The mill shut down and the local is seen here after retrieving two boxcars of scrap ... (more)

E-Lead spans the entire right side of Proctor Yard. So many cars are being moved through here that they just built a new secondary Yard Office off to the right near the vehicles, specifically for ... (more)

SD70WHAT? With just over 1/3 of the horsepower of a single modern road unit, this gutty SD18 lugs 122 coal cars towards the BNSF at Duluth.

Mechanical problems with a sister unit forced the DM&IR #193 into service solo. She did a great job, pulling 123 coal cars 26 miles over some decent grades. Seen here about to hit the lakefront.