Back when the Iron Range was worth shooting... while still possible, much harder today.
DM&IR 215 leads a T-Bird south towards the Fairlane plant with 98 loads of raw taconite on a perfect late fall afternoon.
BLE 909 leads the T-Bird to Forbes. A classic Missabe shot, who's power has changed so much.
What would be my first trip to Missabe country, this would be my first and only taste of true Missabe action as this would be the only Maroon SD38 set I had saw.... to this day almost all of the M... (more)
Southbound T-bird heads to Fairlane.
A matched DM&IR consist is southbound for the taconite plant at Forbes are seen crossing the St. Louis River.
Once a staple of the Iron Range, only a handful of maroon Missabe units remain. Here is a matched pair pulling loads across the bridge bound for the Fairlane Taconite plant.
The days of solid maroon on T-birds has come to an end.
DM&IR 316 leads a crude ore train under the Hwy 37 overpass on it's way to United Taconite in Forbes.
T-bird meet between at Largo.
Now retired SD-M 303 brings a empty crude ore train to United Taconite's Thunderbird Mine for loading.
A blinding snowstorm does not stop this T-Bird crew from running. Yes, It is snowing tthat hard!!!!!
214 makes it's way around the curve into the United Taconite Plant at Forbes, MN
A T-Bird has just finished unloading ore at the plant and prepares to head for Keenan light engine.
Arriving at the plant with 91 loads and two idler cars.