A faded and sun bleached Dash 8 begins the assault on Duff Grade with plenty of leased and older power. The coaling tower is left over from the steam days on the old L & N.
Helper C212 prepares to run down the #1 track and assist coal drag N547 across the grade. The old coaling tower still stands, a testament to the early steam days.
With coal drag N226 grinding by, the Chaska helper heads north to hook up to the rear, dwarfed and framed by the large coaling tower. Days later the helper would be turned at Holton to face north.